Studying abroad in München

At just about everywhere you will have the option of helles in either a 1L (Mass) or 1/2L (Halbe). Weiss is nearly always served in the proper 1/2L flute, but it doesn't keep a lot of people of ordering full liters of 'em. Some places won't do it, but it seems like most places will grudgingly do it. I've never tried or wanted to, but it doesn't seem to be as big of a deal as it used to be.
My wife likes Munich just as much as I do...or at least pretty close.

 

I don't get why you'd order the larger glass, unless it's cheaper per cl. Even pounding beers will result in the last part being slightly warm. I'd know, I used my Paulaner Maß for pounding cheap lager in college. I might still do that on occasion...

 

Plus 1 on the idea on not drinking much if you're driving.... You can always drink light at Kloster Andechs with a decent meal before hitting Neuschwanstein. You can later get your fill of their Doppelbock in downtown München at Andechs am Dom, right behind the Frauenkirche....

Prosit!!

 

Am Dom is also home to probably the best meal I've ever had near Munich. The have a 3-meat platter that is to die for.

 

This Bierfest in Nürnberg sounds interesting.... wish I would be there at this time.... http://bierfest-franken.de/

Prosit!!

PS - I've been to the Nürnberg Altstadfest in September a number of times, and there's some interesting stuff there, but this one is all about Bier.... Mmmmm...

 

It saves on the walking.... In big places like the Englisch Garten or at Augustiener in Salzburg you make less trips. At Andechs, same thing and a Maß of the dopple tastes better warmed up(to me). If you go castle-ing, go first thing in the morning as it gets packed.

 

I'm thinking about removing Adnechs from that day entirely, so we can head straight for the castle then go visit some really pretty waterfall or something. Maybe Zugspitze. I can either go visit Andechs another day (easy train ride) or just be satisfied with Andechs am Dom.

 

We went to that fest last year and had a great time! It's held in the moat of an old castle and is the most incredible site for a bierfest I've ever seen. It's also so different than the typical US beer fest (except for the music which was mostly in English).

 

The one and only time I had a car during a Germany trip was 1996 with my wife and 2 daughters. We drove from München in the morn to Neuschwanstein then stopped at Andechs on the way back to München...

Zum Wohl!

 

I have to say, my trip to Neuschwanstein was miserable. I knew a little bit of the history behind the place, but finding out it was mostly modern, not completely finished, and home to THREE gift shops was a complete downer.
On top of it, the cafes at the bottom of the hill had Koenig Ludwig Dunkel, but the kegs were old and the food was clearly aimed at UK and American tourists. I don't think I heard a single language other than English within 1/2 mile of the castle itself. It's a piece of work from the distance, but it's almost like pulling back the curtain when you actually go.

 

I've heard Hohenschwangau is actually more interesting. We're heading to both in October. I've been to Neuschwanstein many years ago and don't have a need to go again, but my wife hasn't been there and would like to see it. It's probably like going to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, a place you should visit once (but without beer).

 

LOL! I actually bought a very nice Stein at one of those gift shops -- one of the favorites in my collection. Then again, I was pretty familiar with the history of the place, and we dined at a very small, out-of-the-way restaurant on our way back to Munich.

I will say -- it was in the village at the bottom of the "mountain" (I walked the path to the top -- was no hill) where I first saw beer in a vending machine. Rather enlightening, but don't ask me the brand.

 

Ouch, that's not what I'm looking for at all. I knew its history, but didn't realize just how touristy it was.

Pass.

 

Can't beat the scenery at all. Take biermark's advice and go early to beat the big tours.

 

Or I could go to a number of large castles that have actual history:

Veste Coburg

Nuremberg Castle

Plassenburg

Burg Lauenstein

Burghausen Castle

Many of these would have to be done on a trip to Bamberg, unfortunately. Not as many castles near Munchen, for there weren't as many independent duchies/principalities in classical Bayern.

An unfinished castle with plumbing, electricity, only 5 completed rooms, and touristy food doesn't really appeal to me. Perhaps Hohenschwangau makes the trip worth it.

 

Different strokes.

I could suggest this one, if you're that interested in finding castles. Not Germany, but pretty close.

 

Right, there are so many other castles in the region, especially if you are willing to travel a bit. The Rhine is littered with them.

 

Or maybe hit Schloß Linderhof... Kloster Ettal and Oberammergau are right nearby, then hit Kloster Andechs on the way back.... Hohenschwangau is quite nice, though.... and the scenery around that area is priceless....

Prosit!

 

For me it was Japanese...

I liked the Hohenschwangau better - the hill is shorter but steeper. Augusteiner isn't far.

Speaking of Salzburg, I blew off Steigel and was told I shoudn't have. I heard the brewery (by the airport?) is very interesting and they have a spot by the Hohenschwangau funicular is good too. Any comments on Steigel?

 

Salzburg and Hohenschwangau are about 3 hours apart by highway -- in 2 different countries. Are you sure you don't mean Hohensalzburg, the fortress? Stiegl Brauwelt is up that way.