Prague, Munich, Brussels 9/27 to 10/7

My favorite places (and some others) in Prague are at www.BeerGuidePRG.com -- headed back in May so look for some updates then.

On my first trip to Europe back in Jan 1990 I went to Prague (and Munich as well) with my father, and managed to make another trip with him in 2009 (it had changed a bit). Some of my favorite memories of him now that he's gone. So enjoy this trip and I hope it is special.

I used to have a great (wise ass) line that would confuse people. They would ask if I had ever been to the Czech Republic. I would answer "No, but I had a good time when I was in Prague." Most people got it after a moment of confusion but some I had to explain it was the ČSSR when I was there (OK, not that funny)

 

Well places in Munich start getting reserved a year in advance for O-fest so you may be left with places not so good or further out of town now. I like Am Markt and Hotel Uhland if they are available. Just from a party aspect you may want to pay more to stay in the central area near the train station instead of having to take public transportation out to a suburb. Priceline or Hotels.com express deals may be the best way to go if you can't find a specific hotel that meets your budget needs.

A day trip to Kloster Andechs should be on your bucket list. Not only does it have great beer and a beer garden but the church there is worth checking out just so you can send some non beer drinking pics to Mom. In Munich I would visit Augustiner, Ayinger am Platzl (try the horseradish soup), Weiss Brauhaus and poke your head into the Hofbrauhaus but don't feel obligated to drink there. If the weather is good the beer gardens in the English Gardens are great or sitting out at the Viktualienmarkt is a good time. At O-fest go visit the historical area-there you will be able to get a beer out of a stoneware stein. It's a unique experience and quieter than the big tents that your Dad will enjoy for its old world feel. There are dozens of other places one could list.
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If you can make it to Pilsen they have Pilsenfest on October 6th and it is a great time. The beer you get down in the cave on the tour will be the best beer you drink on the trip. Even if Pilsenfest doesn't fit your schedule it is still worth visiting the brewery and you can do it in a few hours when you are staying in Prague or stopping when you travel between Prague/Munich. It's only a one day festival.

Prague has many hotels near Wenceslas Square,which is a good central spot. Really anywhere located in walking distance of the Charles Bridge is ideal. I'd recommend the Ibis or Novotel hotels on Wenceslas Square or the Hotel St. John. If you want to go cheaper and are ok with taking the subway Hotel Globus and Hotel Panorama work. Both are close to subway stops but Globus is up a hill.

I would be sure and visit Strahov Monastery Brewery and some tankova's. U Pinkasu, Putica and The Pub are favorites of mine because of their locations but there are others scattered all over town that may have more of a local feel and not in the tourist area.
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In Brussels if you want to go cheap check out some of the youth hostels, I like Bruegel and Sleep Well hostels as they both have single and double rooms and are clean and quiet, regular hotels- Ibis at Grand Place or Hotel Mozart works as long as you don't get a room facing the street.

For eating/beer I would check out Bier Circus and Spinnekopke. Go to Delirium Cafe early before the high school kids take the place over at night. Cantillon and Moeder Lambic are must stops but your Father may not like Cantillon-certainly no Pilsners there. You may want to spend some time apart there.

 

I still have 2 rooms left on one of my Oktoberfest trips, Sept 25-Oct 2 which includes 2 seatings at te Wiesn (Oktoberfest) and some time in Bamberg...

http://www.bayerntrips.com/tours-of-bavaria/show/oktoberfest-20187-night.html

 

I should also add that if you haven't yet made your travel arrangements between the 3 cities that you may want to consider overnight sleeper trains. You will save money on hotels and don't waste any valuable daylight time traveling. You can do this with all the destinations even between Prague and Munich. For speed-If you don't do the overnights then the bus-not the train is the fastest and cheapest way to get between Prague and Munich and flights between Brussels and either place will also save you multiple hours and can be fairly cheap if you use a low cost airline like ryanair.

 

My suggestion is to hit Oktoberfest during the week and not on the weekend... it's pretty crazy and during the week you have less stressful time to check out something other than just hanging out in a beer tent all day.

 

In Brussels it's pretty easy to simply wing it in the Grand Place area. That's where most of the tourist-centric attractions are located. There are scheduled tour buses that'll take you elsewhere if you like. Cantillon's within walking distance. You father might not like the beer, but it's a worthwhile stop as a museum, too.
While Brussels might be known for Abbey-style ales and Lambic, you'll find tons of local pilsners like Jupiler, Maes, Bavik, etc. Duvel will probably also appeal to a pils fan, too.

 

Munich? That place looks after itself. All the tips on here and anywhere online will send you to quality establishments. It is one great beer city.

Prague? Again a great beer city but I always feel you need to go look and really do homework to get brilliant places. My two tips would be U Zlateho Tygra in centre of town for the best pilsner in town and this place for bloody magnificent beer. We always take a cab there and back which will set you back maybe £35 return but it’s well worth it. You can apparently get the bus too but never tried that mode of transportation as we always want to get there as fast as possible!! http://www.unetickypivovar.cz/en/

 

Luckily you can find draft Únětický all over Prague these days (doesn't mean you shouldn't go to the brewery but if you don't have time, don't despair)

 

I really enjoyed the Lokal in Prague. Good beers and better food. Great beer hall atmosphere.

http://lokal-dlouha.ambi.cz/en/?utm..._campaign=crosspromo&utm_content=homepage-box

 

I love U Rotundy in Prague. One of the few pubs pretty much unchanged since the communist days:

U Rotundy  
Karoliny Světlé 1035/17,
110 00 Staré Město.

It only sells Staropramen 10º, but the atmosphere is ace.

 

I'm headed to Prague next month and I'lll have a beer or three there in your honor

 

According to their website (!) they now also serve Staropramen Černý on draft and Staropramen ležák 12° in bottles. Progress!

 

It's been too long since I was last there.