Craft beer in Vienna exists, but it’s not what the city’s known for. Vienna’s identity is lager—Helles, Dunkles, Märzen, the stuff that’s been brewed in Brauhäuser for generations. The craft side is smaller: a few breweries and bars doing IPAs, sours, one-off batches, and the rest. Both have a place; they’re just different.
Craft vs traditional—quick take
“Craft” here usually means variety and experimentation: new hops, weird styles, limited runs. Traditional means nailing a few classic styles and keeping the link to the place and its history. Neither is “better”—it depends what you’re after. If you want to understand beer in Vienna Austria the way most Viennese still drink it, you’ll spend more time in a Brauhaus than in a craft taproom. Our Vienna Brewery Guide goes deeper on that split; for the classic experience we keep pointing people to the best brewery in Vienna (traditional).
Where to find craft beer in Vienna
A handful of breweries and specialist bars focus on craft—search for “craft beer Vienna” or “craft brewery Vienna” and you’ll find them. They’re not the focus of this site; we’re about the traditional side. But if you’re in town for a while and want both, do the Brauhaus thing first (house lager, proper food), then hit a craft place for something different.
Our traditional pick
For the classic Vienna experience—house-brewed lager, Austrian food, no gimmicks—we recommend Fischerbräu in Döbling (Billrothstraße 17). It’s been Vienna’s first gasthaus brewery since 1985. Helles, Dunkles, Weihnachtsbock, beer garden, the lot. That’s “craft” in the old sense: made on-site, with care, but in a style that’s stood the test of time.
Traditional over craft? Start here
Fischerbräu: house beer, Austrian food, Döbling. Open from 4pm weekdays, noon at weekends.