German beer
Aug 5th, 2004, 01:08 PM
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German beer
Going to bavaria soon, question, can two non beer drinkers survive in munich? What other options are there for drinking non alcoholic beverages? We went to Ireland and tried the guiness but did not care for it.
Seems like munich is the beer consumption capital of the world, what with beer with every meal. We will try the beer, it seems hard not to, my question is what beer suggestions does anyone have? I have heard weissbier is not so bitter, any thoughs?
Seems like munich is the beer consumption capital of the world, what with beer with every meal. We will try the beer, it seems hard not to, my question is what beer suggestions does anyone have? I have heard weissbier is not so bitter, any thoughs?
Aug 5th, 2004, 01:22 PM
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Weissbier or "Weizenbier" (Wheat Beer) indeed is not too bitter. I happen to be part of the minority who don't like it (but then I enjoy bitter beers) as it always reminds me a bit of drinking a banana.
Schneider makes a good wheat beer, though, and the Franconian Maisels enjoys a good reputation, too, but will not be that widely available in Munich.
Actually to me none of the local brews other than Weissbier taste any bitter. A particularly pleasant one in my opinion is Augustiner, although being an afficionado of North German beers (Jever Pilsener, Holsten Pilsener) that tend to include more hops and therefore are a bit more bitter (or rather refreshing as I would describe it), I always tend to miss some taste in those Bavarian brews. The advantage is that you can drink a whole lot of Bavarian beer without being too filled up or even get drunk too soon.
Apart from that, there are enough options to survive without beer in Bavaria. Germans are big on drinking water of all sorts. Apfelschorle (Apple juice mixed with sparkling mineral water) is very popular, healthy and refreshing.
Even if you don't enjoy beer, you might enjoy a "Radler" (in the North of Germany known as "Alster"
: This is a very refreshing (and mild) mixture of beer and lemonade (I believe known as a shandy in some parts of the English speaking world).
A "Russe" (Russian) is a mixture of Wheat beer and Coke, but I cannot describe its taste as I so far have surrendered to such a monstrosity.
After all, of course, the ubiquitous Coca Cola can be had, too. A German specialty in this field is called Spezi and is a mixture of Coke and Orange lemonade. Alternatively, Fanta is a popular orange lemonade and some citrus lemonade will also be available anywhere.
Enjoy
hsv
Schneider makes a good wheat beer, though, and the Franconian Maisels enjoys a good reputation, too, but will not be that widely available in Munich.
Actually to me none of the local brews other than Weissbier taste any bitter. A particularly pleasant one in my opinion is Augustiner, although being an afficionado of North German beers (Jever Pilsener, Holsten Pilsener) that tend to include more hops and therefore are a bit more bitter (or rather refreshing as I would describe it), I always tend to miss some taste in those Bavarian brews. The advantage is that you can drink a whole lot of Bavarian beer without being too filled up or even get drunk too soon.
Apart from that, there are enough options to survive without beer in Bavaria. Germans are big on drinking water of all sorts. Apfelschorle (Apple juice mixed with sparkling mineral water) is very popular, healthy and refreshing.
Even if you don't enjoy beer, you might enjoy a "Radler" (in the North of Germany known as "Alster"
: This is a very refreshing (and mild) mixture of beer and lemonade (I believe known as a shandy in some parts of the English speaking world).A "Russe" (Russian) is a mixture of Wheat beer and Coke, but I cannot describe its taste as I so far have surrendered to such a monstrosity.
After all, of course, the ubiquitous Coca Cola can be had, too. A German specialty in this field is called Spezi and is a mixture of Coke and Orange lemonade. Alternatively, Fanta is a popular orange lemonade and some citrus lemonade will also be available anywhere.
Enjoy
hsv
Aug 5th, 2004, 01:55 PM
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I don't care much for beer either, if you're talking about any of the American mass market amber waters. Try some pilsners in Germany. In addition to the Weizenbier try the Hefe Weizenbier. With dinner that is the best for me because it doesn't gas up and bloat my stomach. Buy one bottle and share it with your friend.
Germans produce good white wines, Riesling, Sylvaner, Rivaner, etc., in either the Kabinett or sweeter Spätlase versions. Look for <i>Qualitätswein mit Prädikat</i> on the label for the best quality, though that doesn't guarantee you'll like it. German red wines are rubbish. You'll probably see reds and whites from Hungary and Romania at a good price. These tend to be sweeter wines, too sweet for me but very popular in the east.
You might also try a small glass of sherry or a martini. A martini in Europe is just dry vermouth - no gin or olive.
For non-alcoholic there are always juices and colas and waters. These will probably cost as much or more than a glass of bier or wein.
Aug 5th, 2004, 04:05 PM
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hsv is right on. apple juice and sparkling water is very popular. the germans actually do not drink as much beer as people think. do try the radler if you are not a big beer fan. the coffee is also excellent in germany.
Aug 5th, 2004, 04:17 PM
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I was stationed in Germany in the Army. I drank Budweiser and Coors prior to going. Once back to the US all the American beer tasted like water. Now the US is finally coming out with some good rich beer....but German beer is great. Too bad you do not enjoy it. Just go with cokes, coffee and water and you will be okay. No one will force you to drink beer.
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Aug 5th, 2004, 04:33 PM
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Hey, my wife drinks neither beer nor wine, but always finds something to drink in Germany.
I guess I'm a lucky man with regard to my wine cellar and beer meister.
Try Augustiner Keller beer. It is my favorite. You can drink it like water. Doesn't have the gas or after taste of American beers.
I guess I'm a lucky man with regard to my wine cellar and beer meister.
Try Augustiner Keller beer. It is my favorite. You can drink it like water. Doesn't have the gas or after taste of American beers.
Aug 5th, 2004, 11:26 PM
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Although we live in Belgium, we don't like Belgian beer...we like German beer, particularly German pils, and of those Wolfshoeher ("immer ein hochgenuss"--always a great treat) is by far our favorite. Hard to come by except in Bavarian and Franconia. Their web site is: http://www.wolfshoeher.de/
When I worked with a company based outside Nuremberg, the manager insisted that the small breweries from Franconia made the best beer because Franconia has the best water (a little bit of hometown bias in that, no doubt).
Try the pils on tap and see what you like. We used to like weissbiers but lost our taste for them a few years ago.
As hsv noted, the applejuice/sparkling water combo is very refreshing. So is an apple/pear/and sparkling water combo. Sparkling waters are good too. There are a lot of different brands, but Gerolsteiner is one of the most common. Gerolsteiner "sprudel" has the most fizz, there are less fizzy variations as well.
When I worked with a company based outside Nuremberg, the manager insisted that the small breweries from Franconia made the best beer because Franconia has the best water (a little bit of hometown bias in that, no doubt).
Try the pils on tap and see what you like. We used to like weissbiers but lost our taste for them a few years ago.
As hsv noted, the applejuice/sparkling water combo is very refreshing. So is an apple/pear/and sparkling water combo. Sparkling waters are good too. There are a lot of different brands, but Gerolsteiner is one of the most common. Gerolsteiner "sprudel" has the most fizz, there are less fizzy variations as well.
Aug 5th, 2004, 11:32 PM
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Bavarian beer is far from bitter, IMO. It is the hoppy pils, which is hardly brewed in Bavaria, that is most commonly characterized as bitter.
The beer most highly regarded by the locals is the "export" beer Agustiner Edelstoff. This is truly a remarkable beer, and its standard fare at many restaurants.
Of the many other Bavarian brews, I commonly stalk Andechs Helles. I really enjoy Erdinger on tap, but am not as big a fan from the bottle.
Weißbier - its malt is made with wheat instead of barley, is mostly unfiltered and with yeast (hefe). It may take a few beers to get used to the different taste, but if it grows on you, you will be hooked forever! Franziskaner and Schnieder are the most popular of the mass produced brands.
For an even sweeter beer, order a radler (half helles bier / half lemon carbonated water) or a Ruß'n (half weissbier / half lemon carbonated water).
Aside from beer, you can always find Prosecco (a cross between sparkling wine and champagne), decent wine from the Pfalz region and the (non-alcoholic) apfelsaftschorle (apple juice and sparkling water)
The beer most highly regarded by the locals is the "export" beer Agustiner Edelstoff. This is truly a remarkable beer, and its standard fare at many restaurants.
Of the many other Bavarian brews, I commonly stalk Andechs Helles. I really enjoy Erdinger on tap, but am not as big a fan from the bottle.
Weißbier - its malt is made with wheat instead of barley, is mostly unfiltered and with yeast (hefe). It may take a few beers to get used to the different taste, but if it grows on you, you will be hooked forever! Franziskaner and Schnieder are the most popular of the mass produced brands.
For an even sweeter beer, order a radler (half helles bier / half lemon carbonated water) or a Ruß'n (half weissbier / half lemon carbonated water).
Aside from beer, you can always find Prosecco (a cross between sparkling wine and champagne), decent wine from the Pfalz region and the (non-alcoholic) apfelsaftschorle (apple juice and sparkling water)
Jan 31st, 2006, 01:43 PM
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Do any of you guy know the brand name of that beer that's mixed with cola? My son ordered it in Trier and it's bottled that way. I found it awful but he liked it and I'm trying to locate some for him.
Jan 31st, 2006, 02:08 PM
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The Bamberg, Germany area has the largest concentration of independent breweries in the world.
Bambergers consume an average of 300 to 330 (depending on which source you are reading) liters of beer per adult per year. Highest average in the world.
Though, as already mentioned, Germany as a whole is only in second place after the Czech Republic.
Bambergers consume an average of 300 to 330 (depending on which source you are reading) liters of beer per adult per year. Highest average in the world.
Though, as already mentioned, Germany as a whole is only in second place after the Czech Republic.
Jan 31st, 2006, 02:47 PM
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Hey Zeus - found out the name of the cola/beer drink. The generic name for the mix is "Diesel", but the bottled product produced by Karlsberg is called "Mixery".
And apparently German beer purists condemn this stuff as a violation of the Reinheitsgebot governing beer purity.
And apparently German beer purists condemn this stuff as a violation of the Reinheitsgebot governing beer purity.
Jan 31st, 2006, 02:50 PM
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When in Switzerland (german-speaking part) I asked for "wasser mitt gas" - carbonated non-sweetened water, like club soda.
Tried the white wheat beer made in Germany. Although I don't care for beers, this was mild and a nice cool drink on a hot day. Did not feel any bitterness in it.
I heard tomato juice is common in Germany, not sure if it's true or not, but they had plenty of it when we flew Lufthansa. Make sure some salt is added, as the juice itself is tasteless.
Tried the white wheat beer made in Germany. Although I don't care for beers, this was mild and a nice cool drink on a hot day. Did not feel any bitterness in it.
I heard tomato juice is common in Germany, not sure if it's true or not, but they had plenty of it when we flew Lufthansa. Make sure some salt is added, as the juice itself is tasteless.
