Hello all, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions as far as places I can't miss while in Germany as it pertains to craft beer, located close to Kulmbach. Obviously the Kulmbacher Brewery, but any other suggestions?
I don't know much about Kulmbach, so I looked it up and saw that it is a ~45 minute regional train line from Bamberg. You should get on that train. Is this a work trip? How much free time will you have? Otherwise, it's important to know that Germany doesn't define "craft beer" in the same way America does. In fact, they don't define it at all. But you should be in a good part of the world for good beer. @herrburgess will be the man you want to hear from.
Cool thanks. Yeah its a vacation, and i'll have quite a bit of free time. I've visited several times, and always enjoyed all the beer i've sampled, just wanted to see if there are any must trys I'm unaware of.
When will you be there? If in May, I'd recommend Klosterbräu's Maibock (Bamberg). I personally would love to get to Buttenheim to try either St. Georgenbrau or Lowenbräu of Buttenheim but it doesn't look like I'll be able to do that. If you are looking for an American-esque Craft experience and will be in Munich, you could try the Camba Bavaria Tap House. Full disclosure, I have never been. Serious question: Vacationing in Kulmbach? That doesn't seem like the standard tourist stop.
Don't forget that World Cup is happening around that time. You might consider being in/around a "public viewing area" in a large city when the Germans advance to (at least) the semi finals. Should be CRAZY and fun.
lol, says in the title of the post, "early July". Sorry OP, I was not on my game last night! Still, Bamberg, Buttenheim, and environs.
Yeah, Kulmbach wouldn't be my first choice normally, my wife has family in Gefrees, so that's usually our home base, and with a 2 year old it kind of limits the distance of our trips : /
Kulmbach is a bit of a weird area: neither here nor there in terms of beer (although as you correctly point out, there's some good stuff directly in town), but luckily not too far from either Bamberg or the Oberpfalz. Personally, if I were you I'd first head east to the land of Zoigl. If you don't know about Zoigl, check out Ron P.'s reports here: http://beertravl.com/germany/oberpfalz/zoiglkalender/ and here: http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2008/05/zoigl.html Here is this year's calendar of who is brewing when for the time period you will be there. http://beertravl.com/germany/oberpfalz/zoiglkalender/ If you have enough time, definitely go to Bamberg and surroundings, too. From Gefrees, I'd recommend taking the route south to Bayreuth and then due west through the Fraenkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland), with some potential stops in Hollfeld, Aufsess, Tiefenellern/Lohndorf, and Rossdorf am Forst. It will be the peak of Kellersaison, so you should be in heaven wherever you end up. Prost!
Considering you do not want to travel far, a very good local option would be Haberstumpf in Trebgast. In Kulmbach, the local Kulmbacher is everywhere, but you might want to try the Kulmbacher Kommunbrau. The brewery museum is nice and has it's own glass brewery; wednesday is normally brewing day, if there is much demand for beer they also brew on the friday.
I second Trebgast for Haberstumpf. A short train ride from Kulmbach, a reasonable uphill walk to the brewery/tap/beer garden. Picturesque little town, nice view from the beer garden. And some nice beers. Ask for Yvonne or Mauricio (they are friends of mine). Tell them Chris from Milwaukee told you to visit. You will enjoy your time there!
I went to Trebgast a few years ago: http://barclayperkins.blogspot.nl/2010/07/trebgast.html Quite a nice little place.
