German Beer Appreciation 2025

Oh no, another ...appreciation thread. But why not? The purpose of this thread is for those of us who love German beers to celebrate them and to, hopefully, introduce new beer drinkers to some of the world's best "drinking" beers.

The main criteria are beers made in Germany; however, if you find a non-German based brewery doing a style justice, by all means share! And please do let others know where you acquired it. Let's help folks locate these wonderful imports.

I'll try to set the tone for the tread with one of the world's great and unique beers - Schneider Weisse Mein Original Tap 7 Weissbier. If you enjoy Weissbier and get a chance to try Tap 7, don't hesitate. Weihenstephaner also makes one of the world's best but Tap 7 provides a unique bridge between pale Hefe and dark Dunkelweizen. Not many breweries make one like it.

My hope is this thread encourages BA's to explore all the many styles from Germany and even the history behind how they came about. Revisit, explore, and enjoy. Prost!

Link to BA styles: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/

Schneider Weisse Tap 7
5.4% ABV
Purchased at Westside Beverage in Forsyth County, GA
Also available at Max Beverage in Cumming, GA



More on Schneider Weisse Tap 7:
https://schneider-weisse.de/en/node/12

 

You lucky dog. I would love have it on tap fresh, although, because it's bottle conditioned I think it holds up fine for U.S. distro. Westside Beverage off Post Rd. in Forsyth has it to most of the time.

 

Glad to hear there's another NC brewery doing German styles justice. Olde Mecklenburg brewey jumps to mind immediately for me, but there are certainly others. Brewing techniques & water make the difference. American brewers try to replicate the water from different regions but I would imagine it is very difficult to copy exactly.

 

I have not had an opportunity to go there yet but hope to sometime soon. They have a stellar rep for beer for sure.

 

We've discussed that before Jack. Since you have experience actually brewing, what is it that makes the German beers seem a notch better? It may just be my perception. I've had many excellent German style beers brewed in the U.S., but the imports always seem to still have a slight edge (mouthfeel and head retention in particular). I may be all wet on that. It's subjective at the end of the day.

 

You're right, I probably did paint with a broad brush. I was thinking about beers from Ayinger, Rothaus, Weihenstephaner, Schneider Weisse, and Augustiner primarily. As those are the ones I drink the most frequently. I hadn't thought as much about the lagering process. That would make some sense. Thought it might be decoction but that was laid aside when I read somewhere that Ayinger doesn't use the method any longer.

Jack, don't get me wrong. It's not that I think American lager breweries don't make excellent beers. Bierstadt, Victory, Schilling, Altstadt and many others dispel that myth. I prefer to buy from a few of my local lager breweries because the more fresh the better they are. It's just I perceive some subtle differences in German made beers that engage me a little more. I've noticed some of the imports slowly getting harder to find and I really would hate see most of them disappear off the shelves.
Thanks for the book suggestions. Prost!

 

I'd love to find that out in person one day.

 

@JackHorzempa to your point, this is an average German Pils. New to me. I've had domestics much better, including from Good Word, Halfway Crooks, and Tucker Brewing here locally. It's balanced but lighter bodied. Could use a little more bitterness but was okay for me. Saw it on the menu at lunch and had to try it of course.

Alsfeld Pilsner 4.8% ABV

 

Excellent choices there @Techichi! Aventinus is one of my favorites. I have never had the Erdinger Dunkel. Not one I see often here. Need to keep my eyes peeled.

I've got both Irish and German blood. That explains my lean to German for sure. Prost!