The wife and I will be staying in Schleiden the 1st week of December 2013. I see there's the Gemund Brauerei, so we'll be giving it a go. And of course we'll be thoroughly enjoying ourselves in both Koln and Dusseldorf. Just wanted to know if there's anything else we should check out beer or food wise in that area. Thanks.
I have been to Monschau, and their Felsquell Zwickelbier is really nice. Also the town of Monschau itself is extraordinarily quaint and beautiful. Plus you're really close to the Belgian border, so.... Prost!
Gemünder Brauerei is not too bad. They have some nice beers that are above average. +1 to Monschau - very nice town! A Getränkemarkt in the area that is not too bad is Getränke Karussell, Römerallee 42, 53909 Zülpich For other good-sorted shops check out www.trinkgut.de - f.ex. trinkgut Wachendorf, Stresemannstr. 5-7, 53879 Euskirchen Have fun - the area is very beautiful! and don't forget to visit Aachen - also a very nice town next to the Belgium/Dutch boarder with an amazing cathedral (but not good in beer...). The Weihnachtsmarkt there is quite nice. And check out the Aachener Printen (available in many bakeries - my favourite is http://www.printen-klein.de ) and the Lindt chocolate-outlet http://www.lindt.de/swf/ger/service/verbraucher-service/lindt-shops/werksverkauf-aachen/
If you want all things produced by Lindt in large quantities very cheap, go to their shop in Aachen. I never buy their chocolate in the US - they are there absolutely pricy...
So the wife and I are back, and sadness is upon me. I really fell head over heels in love with Germany. The backereis, gasthausen, countryside, roads, people, etc. Everything, really. I mean Belgium was great for beer and food, but Germany felt like home. Must be the German descent on my father's side. Koln was incredible, Trier was cool (had an incredible meal there, wildscheine rouladen in a thyme jus), and Monschau was just perfect. And yes, @herrburgess , Felsenkeller Zwickel and Pils are both awesome. The bier museum there was really cool, too. Now I'm just ready to go back.
Monschau is really a gem. Amazing to have that brewery (again) operating there. I would have never known enough to visit it were it not for a friend of mine who studied in Belgium. Her family goes every December and loves it. Very glad you made it and had a good time. Sounds like Germany is in your blood in more ways than one now.
