American craft in Germany

I've heard this complaint about Berlin before - that it isn't a German city. Maybe, maybe not. I love Berlin, and I don't think it has anything to do with the Americanization of it. Great history, interesting little neighborhoods, lively squares, lots to see and do. I seriously would live there permanently if it were possible.

For the record, these were native Germans giving me these recommendations. I'll ask you - outside of Regensburg (& environs), what is your favorite city in the country that is currently internationally recognized as Germany/Deutschland?

 

It wasn't a complaint, it was a description As a Bavarian I care about Berlin as much as an American would care about Mexico City.

I live in a town of 2000 people. Regensburg is way too big for my liking. I do like visiting cities and to stay there for a week or two but I will never ever live in one again permanently. Not if I have a say in the matter.

 

OK, so, Stahlsturm's Favorite City To Visit In Germany (Includes Bayern but not Regensburg, Which Is Disqualified For the Purposes of This Exercise) is..... ?

 

I'll never forget the look on the face of the Berlin hotel manager to whom I greeted with a hearty "Grüß Gott!" one morning. (and yes, I knew exactly what I was doing.)

 

Before I forget, probably a long drive for you, but I've had a few beers from Wippra brewing in the Harz mountain area. http://www.wippra-bier.de/über-uns/lagerbiere/

Their Kellerbier was absolutely fantastic, and the other beers I've had from them have been good, too.

 

I will definitely be at this, would be a good time for a meetup too!
Im in Kassel, so things North and South are pretty convenient, going East and West is a bit of a pain
Kaufhof here only seems to have old Torpedo, Leffe and milwaukes worst, and some other random, bad beers.

 

Anyone happen to live near the Czech border? Particularly Varnsdorf? Or heading that way anytime soon?

 

They don't really carry Milwaukee's Best do they? I'm not sure if you are serious but if so that is pretty funny...in the way that Tele5 late-night movies are funny...

 

“Yup, had the Vogel Pils earlier this year when visiting the area before the move. Good stuff, not doubt. It was one of the beers this year that actually made me go, "wow, that's nice".

It sounds like Vogel Pils is a hoppy WOW beer. Sounds tasty to me!

Thanks to pixieskid for that input!

Prost!

 

Sadly I am pretty sure thats what was there, I can look tomorrow. I remember because someone bought 5 or so cans, I was dying inside;(

 

Maybe add a stop at Pivovar Kout na Šumavě to that trip:

Has anybody had any beers from Pivovar Kout na Šumavě? The brewery is in the western Czech Republic very near the German border.

Evan Rail (a beer writer who really knows his stuff) stated this brewery has the “best pale lagers in the country if not the world”.

Prost!

 

I don't know much about Czech beer, but that's recommendation enough for me!

Evan Rail also did the NY Times Berlin piece (posted to this forum) as well as the article on Düsseldorf (not posted to this forum). I'll dig that article up, it was from a few weeks ago. It was mostly about Düsseldorf and not so much alt beer so I didn't post it.

 

The German - Czech border is very looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong. Where is this "Varnsdorf" you speak about ?

 

ohhh the challenges of google...
http://tinyurl.com/o8ecb4b
about 100km ESE of Dresden

 

According to Google Maps, it looks like it's around that Northeast bend in the border, near Zittau on the Polish border as well.

 

Yeah, but around that opposite border isthmus -- about 4 hours from Regensburg.

 

Maybe I'm on an old work computer that freezes up whenever I try to use Google Maps...?

Anyways, ESE of Dresden means it's basically in Sibiria...

 

Welcome to neighborhood! I'm not exactly familiar with Hochstetten, but I have lived in both Speyer and Germersheim at various points in my German adventure, which are just over the Rhein from there.

Herrburgess was already kind enough to point you in the direction of Vogelbräu (their Weizenbock is truly a glorious thing, unfortunately, I always seem to be in a different country in late August...). Other than that, I have a special fondness for the Speyer Domhof and its dunkles, but that probably has more to do with its sentimental value than its actual merits.

As has been mentioned, the online list from Maruhn is largely unreliable. However, their German selection alone is worth an hour trip north. Since you are in Paris so often, the Maruhn import section will not impress you, but for this area of Germany, it is quite extensive.

This sounds like an excellent idea to me! Though, my wife also has a fairly substantial say in the matter...

 

I would also recommend to try the Hopfenstopfer-beers by Brauerei Häffner from Bad Rappenau, quite close by from your location. One of the most popular breweries among the newly founded craft-breweries.

 

Like I said, great example of what classic German beer can be and is when coming from a small system, consistently brewed and fresh. If you're ever in that area, it's worth checking out. I live 45 minutes (train) from there, or I could drive, but then it would hinder my enjoyment of their quaint little beer garden and super drinkable house beer. I plan to pop down there at least once a month to get a stein of the pils and try the rotating beer (they do a different beer every month, mostly German styles from various regions).