A couple quick Munich and Bamberg questions

Discussion in 'Germany' started by Domingo, Apr 5, 2017.

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  1. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    After 5 years, I'm finally heading back to Munich and Bamberg for the summer. I know both fairly well, but still have a couple questions.

    1. Is the tasting room for Crew Republic near the Deutsches Museum open? I liked the one beer I had from them, and I do like the occasional "c-hop" beer as a change-up.

    2. Is Geisinger worth stopping by? I recall reviews being mixed a few years ago.

    3. Any hotel recommendations for Bamberg? We've stayed at Faessla (it was sparse, but fine) and the Best Western (also fine, but pricier this time) and were curious about other options. How is Spezial? Proximity to the train station is a bonus, but not absolutely required. What about the Hotel Wilde Rose? Who brews their beers anyway?

    4. What's the story with visiting Kaiserdom? I can't really tell if it's strictly a restaurant/hotel or if they have a normal bierhall available, too.

    5. Any feedback on the Kronprinz (formerly Erlkoenig) just down the street from Kaiserdom? It's pretty clearly patterned after the American beer atmosphere, right down to the food. Is it any good?

    6. Is Klosterbraeu more consistent since they were purchased? They have sold me both the best and worst beers I've had in Bamberg.

    7. How convenient is Augustiner Salzburg? Would it be a waste to only go for a day?

    Anything else new in either city that I should be aware of?
     
    #1 Domingo, Apr 5, 2017
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  2. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,077) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    3. I would look into vacation apartments. Much better feeling for how life is there. Can provide tips for places if you like.

    4. Have never been to Kaiserdom in Gaustadt. Used to go to their tap room in town but it closed.

    5. Didn't know Erlkoenig had changed its name. That was a fast turnaround....

    6. Last time I was at Klosterbrau both the Braunbier and the Schwaerzla were right on. Had a Heller Bock and it had diacetyl issues.

    7. Day trip to Augustiner Salzburg well well worth it, even just for the day.
     
    #2 herrburgess, Apr 5, 2017
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  3. jeebeel

    jeebeel Zealot (667) Jun 17, 2003 Texas

    3. I second this, which is what we did at the recommendation of herrburgess. It was great, and I can share the name of the place we stayed in if you like.
     
    #3 jeebeel, Apr 5, 2017
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  4. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    ...however... once you get to Salzburg you may find that you want to stick around for more than a day.
     
    #4 steveh, Apr 5, 2017
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  5. spartan1979

    spartan1979 Pundit (970) Dec 29, 2005 Missouri

    The last two time we were in Bamberg we stayed at the Hotel Andres. http://www.andres-hotel.de/ It's fine, but not anything special. It's convenient to the Bahnhof. IIRC we paid about 60 euros per night. The next time we go I want to stay at Spezial for a change of pace,

    It's worth going to Salzburg, even for a day, but I'd recommend staying at least a night. We were there in 2015 and stayed at Zum Hirschen https://achat-hotels.com/en/hotel/salzburg Again, convenient to the Bahnhof, but a little away from the tourist areas. Ron Pattison had recommended it. It had A/C!

    While we were there we took a bike tour of Sound of Music sites. Very touristy, but fun. http://www.mariasbicycletours.com/

    Have a great trip.
     
    #5 spartan1979, Apr 5, 2017
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  6. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    3. I'll third this. I'm going the week before Oktoberfest and I was able to find an Airbnb a few blocks from Fässla that was cheaper than any hotel and has more room.

    I'll be looking for more answers to your questions, although I am already spending a few days in Salzburg. :slight_smile:
     
    #6 NeroFiddled, Apr 5, 2017
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  7. Seacoastbrewer

    Seacoastbrewer Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 New Hampshire

    Airbnb in Bamberg, or just google search for Ferienwohnung in Bamberg. I've stayed at a hotel and airbnb in subsequent years. The airbnb usually gets you more amenities like washer/dryer/sometimes parking. And cheaper.
     
    #7 Seacoastbrewer, Apr 5, 2017
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  8. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Never done the Airbnb or apartment thing before, but am certainly game if you guys have great recommendations. Just looking for a couple nights. I took a look at when the various Bamberg breweries are open and it seems like Friday/Saturday/Sunday would allow us to reach almost everything. Especially if we can get a train back to Munich that's past 3PM Sunday. I'm not a big fan of driving anywhere that's a beer designation (Brussels was *tough*) so we're just going to take the DB to and from any distant spots.
     
    #8 Domingo, Apr 5, 2017
  9. jeebeel

    jeebeel Zealot (667) Jun 17, 2003 Texas

    Domingo, if it helps, the place that we stayed at supplied a large ceramic pitcher that I could fill with a couple liters of bier at the Faessla ausschank and bring back to the apartment. Made for a nice in-room brotzeit after a day of walking or bike riding. :slight_smile:
     
    #9 jeebeel, Apr 5, 2017
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  10. BayernTrips

    BayernTrips Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2017 Germany

    Be careful with Airbnb - the city of Munich is trying to stamp them out - not sure the situation in Bamberg...

    Giesinger is very worthwhile. The boys there are making some great beer.

    I'm not aware of a tasting room for Crew Republic downtown. There is the Munich Tap House near Ostbahnhof and their relationship is with Camba Bavaria. Great beer selection and knowledgeable staff, but not a tougher choice is the weather is "Biergarten" worthy.

    I was at Klosterbräu a week ago and the famous brown still looks like a Helles. I think they are still sorting things out.

    Can't go wrong with staying at Fässla or Spezial - close to the station and a short walk to get a beer!

    Regensburg has a new craft beer place and the beers of Michael Plank or Unertl are ones to consider, if you don't want to trek all the way to Salzburg for a day. For that matter, the Pilssissimus at the Forschungsbrauerei in Perlach (München) rivals the Märzen in Salzburg...
     
    #10 BayernTrips, Apr 5, 2017
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  11. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm a huge fan of Forschungs and it's an easy trip to make. Both times we've been, we hit up Ayinger at the same time since they are/were on the same S-bahn route. They're a definite.

    With Salzburg, we've never been to Austria and have heard good things, so it seemed like a fun side trip. The BDGTM specifically mentions it as a "day trip" so I was fact finding to see if it's a trip like Andechs is, or a "day trip" like Bamberg is. Regensberg is definitely also of interest, although I think the main thing is that we don't want to spend every day traveling massive distances or doubling up on hotel rooms. It's supposed to be a relaxing time, so I don't want to cram things in every day.

    Crew Republic was of interest because I was thinking they had something over by the Deutsches Museum. That's a 2-minute walk from our hotel, so it seems like an easy/fun place to hit up and grab an IPA to break up the lager/weiss marathon.
     
    #11 Domingo, Apr 6, 2017
  12. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Google maps shows Salzburg to be 1 hr 28 min by train or 1 hr 40 min by car from Munich.

    Bamberg is 2 hr 36 min by train and 3 hr 5 min by car -- I don't know if I'd count that a "day" trip -- especially with beer drinking involved.
     
    #12 steveh, Apr 6, 2017
  13. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Yeah, that's what I mean. In various places I've seen Salzburg, Regensburg, Bamberg, Herrsching, Fuessen, Kelheim, etc. all referred to as "day trips." Some most definitely are and some most definitely are NOT. At least not if you plan to have more than a single beer and don't want to have to sprint around before your return train.
     
    #13 Domingo, Apr 6, 2017
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  14. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Based on my experiences in Austria there are indeed many things to recommend a visit, but I think you'd wind up being a bit dissatisfied trying to do Salzburg as a day trip that combined sight seeing and beer (or even as a day trip for only one or the other). Salzburg is a city rich in history, traditions, and beauty so I'd suggest that it is worth a multiday visit with plenty of time to see and enjoy what is there to be found.
     
    #14 drtth, Apr 6, 2017
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  15. BayernTrips

    BayernTrips Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2017 Germany

     
    #15 BayernTrips, Apr 7, 2017
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  16. gavinbrooksbank

    gavinbrooksbank Initiate (0) May 24, 2011 England

    3. we've stayed at the hotel andres before in their "apartment room" which is up in the attic, handy for the station and well priced.

    6. i was at klosterbrau in feb and the braunbier wasnt right at all
     
    #16 gavinbrooksbank, Apr 7, 2017
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  17. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    7. Years back we did a day trip from Munich to Salzburg using the train. Saw the old town, the Cathederal, the castle, and spent more than enough time at Augustiner, which was excellent. Do it.

    We have done airb&b in Bamberg for our last two visits. We have stayed at Special, it is good.
     
    #17 hopfenunmaltz, Apr 7, 2017
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  18. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    I'll do some pricing around of options for Salzburg. Luckily it seems like the DB prices are still very reasonable. If nothing else, if it's a great time we'll know it a little better for the next time and can plan accordingly in the future.

    I really hope Klosterbrau gets squared away. When the braunbier and schwarzbier were "on" they were amazing. They were up there with some of the best beers I've ever had. Yet on our last trip the pils was buttery and the braunbier tasted like wort. The schwarz was luckily still fine. I figured that Kaiserdom (of all the possible owners) would value consistency and technical prowess. Guess I'll see where they're at soon enough.
     
    #18 Domingo, Apr 7, 2017
  19. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (2,084) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah

    Go to Salzburg. You won't regret it. The Weissbier Brauerei is worth a visit, too. Obviously, you'll want to spend most of your time in Augustiner. Truly magical.
     
    #19 patto1ro, Apr 7, 2017
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  20. FrankenBier

    FrankenBier Zealot (645) Feb 4, 2003 California

    As Ron says, Die Weisse is well worth a visit. If I have time, I take the S Bahn out to Bergheim to visit Isi Bräu (head towards the slaughterhouse from the station, not the town). Not that the beer is earth shattering (but it's always been good) it's just a cute tiny brewery in a house converted to a pub.

    That being said, last time I was in Salzburg the weather was so nice (in late October 2013) I practically never left the Augustiner Biergarten. Looking forward to going back this October.
     
    #20 FrankenBier, Apr 8, 2017
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