bráðu

Bräu is a German term used chiefly in Bavarian and Austrian German to refer to beer and, in some contexts, to a brewery. In standard German, the everyday word for beer is Bier, but Bräu persists in dialect and in the names of breweries, beer halls, and beer brands. It can denote the beer itself in informal speech or the place where beer is produced or served, such as a Bräuerei or Bräustube.

The word derives from brauen, to brew, and traces back to Middle High German brāwe or bräwe, with related forms in other Germanic languages; it is cognate with the English brew. In southern regions, Bräu remains a familiar, rustic word that evokes traditional brewing.

In signs and marketing, Bräu commonly appears to convey tradition and authenticity, especially in Bavarian and Austrian contexts. It is frequently found in compound forms such as Bräuhaus, Bräustube, or Bräuerei, where it signals a brewery or a beer-serving venue.

As part of regional beer culture, Bräu reflects local identity and historical brewing practices. In modern German, its use is largely dialectal or nostalgic outside southern Germany, though it still appears in brand names and tourism material.

Related terms include Bier (beer), Brauerei (brewery), Bräuhaus, and Bräustube.