Heading Back to Munich/Bamberg at last

Last night at Monks:
They don't have wifi at Monks, so I couldn't report until now. First, their listed beers on the Internet don''t match the actual menu, so I was disappointed I wasn't able to try my first Pliny. Second, we only tried beers that were on the on tap menu. Third, the food was good. Inhad a huge, juicy burger, the homemade fried were delicious but way too much, and my g/f had the Ceasars Salad, mummbling something about a diet. Our table neighbors had 2 buckets of mussels, and the aroma was enticing, but i wanted meat from a mammel.

Beer: They did have Russian River's Blind Pig. I ordered that for the g/f and for me, the Port Wipe Out. The BP was great, needed more malt backbone IMO, but wow. The PWO was maltier but not as citrusy, more bitterness, though. I preferred the PWO, my g/f the PB. The PWO was really, really süffig, for the pint glass was empty within minutes though I was trying to appreciate its complexity. Next, I thought I'd give a US Pils a try. They had Soudt's Pilsner, and I was disappointed. I thought it was hoppy enough with Noble hops but the mouthfeel was not nearly up to par with even an Oettinger. It was "weak" and thin. The Pils malts also lacked something. I didn't take notes, so this is the morning after. Basically, a weak imitation of a German Pils. I tried another IPA: Boneyard Nefarious. At 10.5%, it wasn't noticeable and hid it well, though it killed my sobriety. It was hugely citrusy but not super bitter. Finally, I wanted a Belgium style. Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale was WOW. They say it was brewed for them outside Ghent; it was super lovely malty, tasted like lots Special B. hops were light in the background. The foam head's creaminess was almost eternal. It stayed tight through almost to the end of the glass. It tasted like Kriek (cherry), but not overly sweet. I detected virtually no sourness, neithr lactic nor acetic, as advertised on the menu. But it was still there slightly maybe, probably held back the malt and fruit sweetness from being overpowering. This was my favorite beer of the night. It was the perfect dessert, though it wasn't a dessert beer.

All 3 IPAs were great, though each had their strengths, I still couldn't get over the fact that my super-whirl pooled Axis and Allies IPA is hands down better. In the commercial IPAs, I miss the honey malt notes of the Abbey malt and Münchner malt's caramel. The hops add such complex fruitiness that I get so many different answers to which fruit flavor they detect. I've gotten people insisting they taste strawberry, pear, marakuja, grapefruit, and more.

 

I always suggest a trip to the HB for cultural history-sake -- then take a thirst-inducing stroll over the Isar to the HB Keller -- lots of locals there and a very laid-back atmosphere.

 

Wait, you jumped from a 6.10 IPA to a 5.4 Pils? Just a little bassackward and I don't doubt that the Pils was disappointing. Try it again a fresh palate.

 

If you have the time/ability, also check out the Khyber Pass Pub, Eulogy, and maybe Brauhaus Schmitz. If you need a break from beer, I think you're hotel is near The Continental Midtown, a martini bar. I'll let your Google skills take over from here.

 

Hey, it is what it was. Don't worry, I had a super spicy sauce for the Pommes Frites to cleanse my palate. You can't make up for weak mouthfeel and thinness and a lack of decent Pils malt flavors, no matter how isolated you drink it. Damn I'm glad I tried those IPAs, though.

I'll look for the KP Pub, but I won't hunt it down if it's not where we're near - won't be able to convince the g/f. Don't like martinis. Yuck. Stick with beer/wine.

 

But you can't judge that it truly was weak and thin with all the other pollution on your palate!

I knew of a brewmaster in Nuremberg back in the early 80s who, at home, would never serve his beer with food -- because the food would ruin the flavor of his beer!

Oh, and I'm glad you got to try the IPAs too, just don't go trying to evaluate a Saison or something delicate afterward!

 

It's not near your hotel, but it is near the Constitution Center (I think?) and not horribly far from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. I'm trying to think what might be nearer to your hotel. It's been awhile since I've been in those parts.

 

Cross reference with this: http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=philly

 

Khyber Pass is basically a 14 block walk (about 15 minutes). They have a good selection of beer and the food is very good; New Orleans style. My favorites are the Shrimp Etoufee and the Gumbo. There are lots of other good beer places about a block away from the Khyber: Eulogy, Triumph, Irish Pol, etc.

Lots of great beer places in Philly!

Cheers!

 

Stöhrenkeller did some very good Thai food on Saturday and Sunday nights. Michael told me he was suspending it for the summer and would start up again in September.

 

Have a great time (once again) in Munich as well as Bamberg. I'll be in Munich at the end of June for a two-day beercation after a business trip in Austria. Time permitting, I hope to hit all the major players within the city limits. Augustinerkeller, Weisses Brauhaus, Speis & Trank, Andechs (am Dom), Augustiner Braustueben and Forschungsbrauerei are all on my list. I'll probably even swing by the Hofbrauehaus for nostalgic purposes.

I've been to Munich a number of times but never for beer-centric pursuits! Can't wait. Prost!

 

How the heck did you swing that? Munich is built on beer -- you can't walk a block without being grabbed by another advertisement for the libation!

You, my friend, must be very disciplined!

 

My first time to Munich was a flight into the old airport. Talk about stepping back in time, there was a real cold war feeling to it with the patrolling armed guards and the armored car parked out front.

My friend and I were the advance party, we found a hotel for everyone, rented cars, then headed back to the airport to wait on everyone else's arrivals. There was one bar in the middle of the terminal and we sat and drank Pils -- probably too much Pils on jet-lag from the 8 hour flight! Can't remember what brand it was, just remember that I should have stepped off the stool a few more times before we left!

 

Looks like I am back again, too (big surprise!). Will be in München 5 nights, 22-26Sep, with my wife joining me for the last night. The next 8 nights will likely be a 4/4 split between Rothenburg and Praha.... I was originally going to head back to Benelux after the Rothenburg stop, but my wife opted to go along. Her first trip since '96, and since I had long pined to return to Praha, and she'd never been, Praha it is... Bamberg will most def be hit from Rothenburg... Sounds like the Praha bier (pivo?) scene has exploded since I was last there in '91...

 

Please give U Fleku a visit and give us a run down. Missed it last time i was in Praha and watching Michael Jackson BeerHunter " Bohemian Connection" i really want to go!

 

I really enjoyed U Fleku on my first visit (Jan 1990). Next visit was Mar 2009 and it was a big tourist trap. Waiters came by with a tray of schnapps offering a "welcome drink" only to find out you were charged an exorbitant price. Beer and food was also way over priced and only fair quality.

Was back a year later with some friends who insisted (also having seen MJ's video, I assume) and it was no better and they were also very disappointed. Lots of better places to spend your time and money.

 

I may go to U Fleku for 1 bier, just so my wife can say she's been. I went in '91, and it was fun... I had heard of the schnapps scam.... too bad it's gotten too touristy.... At least the Munich Hofbrauhaus, though touristy, is still a decent visit... Prosit!!!

 

Have you been to the Hofbrau Keller? Just as quaint, full of history, great Biergarten -- less touristy.

 

Yeah, Steve, a couple of times. Like it quite a bit....

Prosit!