Germany/Salzburg/Austria Tour Question

Lots of people don't drink alcohol for lots of reasons and I never worry about offending anyone for not drinking. I've been in the minority but not alone on tours in not drinking. I would personally skip a beer hall but let your tour guide know if you're skipping.

I like to stay in the tour hotel whenever possible so I don't have to move. If a room is available and you like the price, sure!
Agree with above poster, no reason to apologize if you don't drink. Soft drinks will be available.

I don’t drink and I have never given one moments consideration about what anyone thinks. I also know nobody is paying enough attention to me to even care or notice.
I’ve been on 4 RS tours including Germany and Austria. I just go along for the ride and good time whether it’s a brewery tour, winery or beer hall. But that’s because I’m traveling with a spouse who partakes. If you both don’t enjoy, then you can skip if it’s not for you.

for #2, many people do this. It's best to communicate directly with the hotel by email and mention that you are on the Rick Steves Tour starting on xxx. That way they may be saving a block of rooms for people on the tour, and also they can by email.

It's a great location, just across the street from the farmers market so lots to see there.

Suggestion...You probably want to get your hotel reservations confirmed ASAP if your trip is mid October. Your tour hotel is relatively small at 26 rooms(we stayed there in 2022, nice location). If booked up and you need an alternative for your early arrival days, the Hotel Concorde, another RS Tour hotel, is about a 10 minute walk from your tour hotel Viktualienmarkt. Also, been on two RS tours thru Munich and we never actually stopped in a beer hall and had beer. We walked into a hall and out the back door just to get a peek at the decor, talk about the cuisine and some history etc... Your mileage may vary. But either way, and for other meals/events, plenty of flexibility to opt for an alternate beverage.

Have fun.

I took my 19 year old daughters to Munich and Salzburg. It was a very memorable trip. We went to beer halls in both cities, and the girls enjoyed the vibe, as they say these days. My one daughter does not care to drink, and I don't really care for beer, but I wouldn't have missed the Hofbrauhaus or Ausgustiner for anything. We had a great time. There was music at the Hofbrauhaus which made it super fun. I really don't think turning down beer offends anyone. Just don't turn down the pretzels. ;)

Bear in mind that Munich airport is some distance from the centre, so with a mid-morning arrival, some time collecting bags etc and the journey into the city you might not need early check in.

If the tour doesn't take you to Augustiner in Salzburg it's not "Best of"!! You could wander around there grazing at the local independent food counters https://www.augustinerbier.at/delicatessen-arcade.html and staring at the ceilings and nobody would notice you didn't have a drink - the Augustinergasse entrance through the church doors and down the stairs is worth seeing on it's own!

All places will have options, if it's the alcohol you don't want there will be non alcoholic beers. If it's the beer ingredients, they all have wine (probably local). All have or will make Apfelschorle (apple juice and carbonated mineral water) and all have mineral water, with or without "gaz". If you do want to offend them try ordering Coke with an upmarket meal......