German craft beer

Hey, they didn't credit your picture.

 

Absolutely not. I only learnt about it here from you American folks once I started to develop beer as a kind of hobby rather than a drinking habit. Before that I distantly knew that Bamberg and Oberfranken are the heart of Franconian beer land, but not much more. Still haven't made it there although it's only about 250 km away.
The average incurious German beer drinker probably thinks the heart of German brewing is in Eastern NRW where Krombacher, Warsteiner and Veltins are produced...

 

Let's let them keep thinking that....

 

A new opinion pours in.
http://refreshingbeer.blogspot.com/2014/04/complacency-and-craft-in-munich.html

And (from the same blog):
http://refreshingbeer.blogspot.com/2014/04/retreat-to-bamberg.html
http://refreshingbeer.blogspot.com/2014/04/kolsch-in-cologne.html

 

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed all three of these articles. I'd like to point out that I myself also get lost in the back streets of Bamberg every time I try to find Klosterbräu. It's part of the fun!

 

Funny. I can see how it would happen, but I never had the problem since my student housing was about 50 m away on the Judenstrasse. Shame about their QC issues. I really hope they get them straightened out -- and soon!

 

Thanks, @JHDStein for the info on Getränke-Fein. I picked up some goodies today and will certainly report back on the Riegele (Augsburg) beer, which appears to be a Chocolate Stout. Anyway, more later on that (probably tomorrow). Getränke-Fein had a display section devoted to Crafty beers, including a full assortment of Riegele beers, plus (as promised) many, if not all, of the high-end Faust stuff. Also they had Schneider Aventinus for €1,10 per 500 ml bottle. Looking forward to a return trip.

 

anyone want to pick me up some and send to Kassel

does Faust ship?

 

I take it you're out for the meet-up?

I did a quick look at their website and they seem to have a few things for sale online, mostly mix-packs or crafty bottles.

 

I had hoped to make it, but its not looking good now. We are moving to a new place soon and we have a ton of stuff to do.
Also 6hrs of train travel in a day on easter weekend doesnt sound too appealing;(

 

Yeah, I hear that. I didn't realize Kassel was so far afield. I'll be sorry to miss you, I'm heading back to the US this summer so no more Germany meet-ups for me.

 

there is still a chance...
2hrs 50mins each way w/ ICE and RE, 2 connections.

Where you headed to in the states?

 

Virginia! Looking forward to it.

 

Riegele Robustus 6
660 ml bottle. Best Before 13.11.2015. 5,0% ABV. "Charge No." = 13/14/1
Named for the six "robust" malts used: (following info is as listed on the bottle).

Malts - Pale & Dark Chocolate Malt, Roasted Barley, Malted Wheat, Münchner Malt, Amber Malt, Steffi
Hops - First Gold, Golding
Yeast - Irish Ale Yeast.

To the Fancy Pants glass!



Die Frau's opinion: Smells like a stout, tastes like a schwarzbier.
My opinion: Sort of like a Baby Aventinus, but while Big Brother is €1,10 for a 500 ml bottle at the same store, Baby Avey (tm pending) goes for €4,50 per 660 ml. In protest, my Schneider Weisse wheat beer glass leaped to its death.



In lieu of flowers, the bereaved suggest someone sending one of those awesome Sahm lager glasses like what Schlenkerla uses.

 

Sorry about the glass!
What did you think of the beer? I recently had all eight of the beers from the Riegele BierManufaktur selection. They came in a box with a fancy-pants glass, so they were something like € 3.50 per bottle. I liked the Robustus a lot as a solid strong Porter. The Noctus is their RIS, it's even more robustuser! But my favorite might have been the Amaris. I expected this to be a sort of a Pale Ale, but it turned out to be a dry-hopped Pils with amazing hops flavors and strong bitterness.

 

Thank you for the condolences! That glass did its duty and then some. It was a sad moment in my day for sure.

Re: the Robustus, I'm not sure. It wasn't bad by any stretch, but when you're asking €4,50 for 660 ml I always get tripped up. Is it really worth it? Faust's beers were under €0,80 each per 500 ml bottle if memory serves. (edit to add: Faust's normal line-up, I mean, their Crafty stuff is pricey)

A lot of their beers sound like really interesting experiments, though. They have one that is 10% and made with Trappist yeast, I might track that one down. I suppose I support them on some level, but I just can't bring myself to purchase too many at their price point. Have you had the Simco? Was it any good? I assume that is/was an American style pale ale?

 

Yes, the Simco is an APA (about 5 % ABV if I remember right) and it was very good as well. They know what they do with every one of those. I agree about the price though, it's not like an everyday beer. And Riegele's regular lineup is fantastic enough already and available at the normal prices you mentioned for Faust as well.

 

I may pick up the Simco and the Trappist one after the holidays. Pretty much all stores are closed Friday, Sunday, and Monday here for the Easter holiday(s), and Saturday I'll be up in Miltenberg. Glad to hear they are good!

 

“Die Frau's opinion: Smells like a stout, tastes like a schwarzbier.” Sounds like a tasty beer to me.

MJT, you should get your wife to compose all of your beer evaluations for you!

Cheers!

P.S. Did you taste the Wheat Malt!?!

 

The customer is always right, Jack!