St. Pauli Girl

[Jake]

I found St Pauli Girl at a Hop 'N Schnapps. If you have sampled this beer what are your thoughts of it?

I had my very first Stout that I can say I actually liked. The name is Cottonwood Almond Stout. Maybe its the Almond flavor that does it for me. To me it kind of resembled a brown ale I had earlier but stronger.

[Ilwaco Ed]

I enjoy St Pauli's. IMHO it's a good light beer.

[chazwicke]

Have not had one in years.

[steveh]

St. Pauli Girl and Beck's always ran parallel in my tastes - read: unexciting. Since Beck's seems to be attempting to jump-start their recipe some, I gave St. P dark a try at my local a few months ago. In a word; blech.

Also (and this could certainly be one of those "beer legends" we always hear), I've heard that the joke is that the St. Pauli district of Bremen or Hannover in Germany is the red light district. Thereby, a St. Pauli Girl is actually...

Sturm - any confirmation on this rumor? Or just more ugly slander heaped on northern German brews by southern Germans? ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

I have always heard that also.

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I have always heard that also.

as have I.


I would say that if I am out and they have nothing I would usually order, are completely out of wine and scotch I will order a St. Pauli Girl Dark, but all the aforementioned criteria must be met.

[Jake]

I never heard of this beer untill I became a member of Realbeer. I first seen this beer when I went down to Frankenmuth a German town here in Michigan. The one thing that caught my eye was it said its "brewed in strick accordance with the German purity law if 1516 ". So that must mean no rice, no corn? To me it was a lot better and its body more full than the macro's BMC. In many ways it tasted somewhat like Pilsner Urquell but not as bitter.

[BluesHarp]

St. Pauli and Becks are both far better than the BMC's, but are still brewed somewhat to appeal to the typical american palate.
They are not bad beers in themselves, but should be considerd a stepping stone to other beers which are far better.

Again, everybody's tastes are diffferent; as we have mentioned before, a lot of outstanding beers would taste vile to someone not accustomed to drinking the more "robust" styles.
I used to really like both those beers, but now I find them rather boring...only because I have had the opportunity to try and appreciate so many other different beers and my palate has shifted accordingly.

You are correct on the no rice, no corn...St. Pauli is only water, barley, hops, and yeast.

You also mentioned finally finding a stout you liked; after you drink that one for a while, go back and try others again, or perhaps a porter...you will soon find your tastes evolving and you will like beers you didn't like before.

Good Luck! :)

[Bradfrd12]

Funny thing about St. Pauli's Girl....

I know in fact that St. Pauli in German refers to Hamburg in which is in the very north of the country. As for whether it is a neighborhood in Hamburg or not I don't know but I do know that German's refer to Hambug as St. Pauli. The very funny thing is that on the beer bottle you see what appears to be a traditional beer serving waitress. This is in fact correct...however with the clothes she's wearing she is from Bavaria, which is in the very south of the country.

Now I know that by the standards of distance held inthe states that norht and south Germany are not very far apart but in fact to the Germans they are, and this oversight has been told to me by more than one German.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Bradford.

[P-Train]

I've drank my fair share of SPG. I would tend to agree with Bluesharp.

It's not bad beer. Really, it's some of the best beer you'll find in the supermarkets around here. So it's always an option if browsing the cooler in between homebrews.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bradfrd12
This is in fact correct...however with the clothes she's wearing she is from Bavaria, which is in the very south of the country.

This is a very good observation and I think it shows a marketing aspect that when most Americans think of Germany, they picture women in dirndls, men in lederhosen, majestic mountains, edelweiss, and monstrous glasses of beer -- all indigenous only to Germany's southern regions!

Then there are the good beer drinkers who know that good beer can be found all over the country, sometimes even in .25l glasses! ;)

On top of that, I always scoff at Beck's having an Oktoberfest Bier -- there's no Oktoberfest in Bremen!

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by P-Train
I've drank my fair share of SPG. I would tend to agree with Bluesharp.

It's not bad beer. Really, it's some of the best beer you'll find in the supermarkets around here. So it's always an option if browsing the cooler in between homebrews. Don't you have Kroger there? I'm sure they carry Sierra Nevada... that's GOT to be better than SPG!

I dunno... if the bottle was kept TOTALLY in the dark 100% of the time, and it was chilled very well on a really hot August day in Tennessee, I'd probably really like it, but it's just not on the list of "have to have it" brews for me.

And I understand the stipulation that this isn't a GREAT brew, but a GOOD brew; it's just that if there's something better out there I see no reason not to get it. SNPA is plenty thirst quenching!

[BrewDog]

Also (and this could certainly be one of those "beer legends" we always hear), I've heard that the joke is that the St. Pauli district of Bremen or Hannover in Germany is the red light district. Thereby, a St. Pauli Girl is actually...

If I remember correctly, wasn't there a St. Pauli Girl commercial back in the late 70's/early 80's with the tag line "You never forget your first Girl"? Adds a whole new meaning.... :)

[fretlessman71]

Hmm... I'd like to forget my LAST "girl".... :p

[steveh]

Originally posted by BrewDog
...with the tag line "You never forget your first Girl"? Adds a whole new meaning...

Yep, made me laugh every time I saw or read it.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Bradfrd12
Funny thing about St. Pauli's Girl....

I know in fact that St. Pauli in German refers to Hamburg in which is in the very north of the country. As for whether it is a neighborhood in Hamburg or not I don't know but I do know that German's refer to Hambug as St. Pauli. The very funny thing is that on the beer bottle you see what appears to be a traditional beer serving waitress. This is in fact correct...however with the clothes she's wearing she is from Bavaria, which is in the very south of the country.

Now I know that by the standards of distance held inthe states that norht and south Germany are not very far apart but in fact to the Germans they are, and this oversight has been told to me by more than one German.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Bradford.

The notorious red light district in Hamberg is called the Reeperbaun or something like it. It was where the Beatles played before becomming really big. They did two stints there. It was a rough and rowdy area. Not sure how St. Pauli plays into that area.

I agree with Steveh. You can find excellent beer throughout Germany and indeed in small glasses. I have found in the north you are as likely to have your beer served in a tulip shaped glass with a round paper doily hooked around the stem as you are a .05l mug.

[Jake]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fretlessman71
Don't you have Kroger there? I'm sure they carry Sierra Nevada... that's GOT to be better than SPG!


And I understand the stipulation that this isn't a GREAT brew, but a GOOD brew; it's just that if there's something better out there I see no reason not to get it. SNPA is plenty thirst quenching! [/QUOTE
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I drink Sierra Nevada all the time, This is the first time I've ever seen and drank SPG. I'm open to try anything for the first time. It was nice for a change. If I drink something over and over again I get bored with it.

[Seymour]

Good point, Jake. I get tired of any one beer over and over myself--too much of an eclectic, I guess. It's why I seldom chime in on "trapped on a desert island" type threads. Trying to choose favorites would just give me a headache. Now, I wouldn't make SPG one of my first choices anymore myself, but if it's new to you, then for awhile it may be a reasonable change of pace.

[P-Train]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Don't you have Kroger there? I'm sure they carry Sierra Nevada... that's GOT to be better than SPG!



Yeah we have Kroger. Notice I said SOME of the best beer you'll find! Lol. You're right, thank God for Sierra Nevada.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by steveh
Also (and this could certainly be one of those "beer legends" we always hear), I've heard that the joke is that the St. Pauli district of Bremen or Hannover in Germany is the red light district. Thereby, a St. Pauli Girl is actually...

Sturm - any confirmation on this rumor? Or just more ugly slander heaped on northern German brews by southern Germans? ;)

St.Pauli is the harbour district of Hamburg. And yes, there is a huge red light district (Herbertstrasse) with whores in every lit window and drugs everywhere. That particular street is pretty bad, the rest of St.Pauli is a workers place. But yeah, a "St.Pauli Girl" would most likely be dancing rather nude... *g*

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by Bradfrd12
but I do know that German's refer to Hambug as St. Pauli. No, we don´t.

Originally posted by Bradfrd12
The very funny thing is that on the beer bottle you see what appears to be a traditional beer serving waitress. This is in fact correct...however with the clothes she's wearing she is from Bavaria, which is in the very south of the country. Well, "St.Pauli Girl" is an american beer, not a german one. That would explain certain inaccuracies of the label design.

Originally posted by Bradfrd12
Now I know that by the standards of distance held inthe states that norht and south Germany are not very far apart but in fact to the Germans they are, and this oversight has been told to me by more than one German.

I´m in Regensburg Bavaria. From here to Hamburg it´s around 700 km or 440 miles which taking into account our totally congested road system and discarding the myth of being able to drive as fast as you can (you´re allowed to but you can´t...) means a full days drive. You also cross four language barriers along the way and each time you get totally different dialect and traditions. Not to mention beer.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
Well, "St.Pauli Girl" is an american beer, not a german one.

Let's clarify some definitions here - as horrible as it is to admit, St. Pauli is a German beer - brewed in Bremen by the St. Pauli Brauerei. It may be brewed as a marketing tool for American perception (don't paint us all with the same brush), but I believe I've seen it in Munich markets alongside Beck's. The memory is faint, but mainly because I wouldn't have given it a second look.

You also cross four language barriers along the way and each time you get totally different dialect and traditions.

Just a question, but couldn't one or two of those dialects refer to Hamburg as St. Pauli, even in some form of insult?

...you get totally different...beer.

And your complaint is..? ;)

S.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by steveh
Let's clarify some definitions here - as horrible as it is to admit, St. Pauli is a German beer - brewed in Bremen by the St. Pauli Brauerei. It may be brewed as a marketing tool for American perception (don't paint us all with the same brush), but I believe I've seen it in Munich markets alongside Beck's. The memory is faint, but mainly because I wouldn't have given it a second look.

I did a bit of googling and whaddaya know...
1) This "St.Pauli Brauerei" has about as much to do with Hamburg St.Pauli as St.Paul MN has to do with Hamburg. Nix. Nada. It´s just a coincidence.
2) St.Pauli Bier is brewed by Interbrew. It was part of Becks and got swallowed up by the belgian invaders. It´s strictly brewed for US export and not sold in Germany. Maybe some get´s reimported so it´s possible you saw it somewhere in Germany.

Originally posted by steveh
Just a question, but couldn't one or two of those dialects refer to Hamburg as St. Pauli, even in some form of insult?

No.

Originally posted by steveh
And your complaint is..? ;)

Where do you see a complaint here ? How could one complain about variety ?

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
This "St.Pauli Brauerei" has about as much to do with Hamburg St.Pauli...

But Sturm, it is a German brewery - no matter how you qualify it. If we have to own responsibility for BMC, you need to be able to be strong enough to admit to St. Pauli -- and then do your best to repel the invaders!

No.

Are you positive? There are many dialectic words and slang terms across the U.S. that always pop up and make me shake my head in wonderment. From what I've heard in dialects around Germany (speak any Schwäbisch?), they can be as wide and diverse.

Where do you see a complaint here ? How could one complain about variety ?

That was ironic Ami humor, my friend - guess it doesn't translate well.

S.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by steveh
But Sturm, it is a German brewery - no matter how you qualify it. If we have to own responsibility for BMC, you need to be able to be strong enough to admit to St. Pauli -- and then do your best to repel the invaders! Maybe you reread what I wrote :P I said it was part of Becks which is now part of Interbrew. Interbrew is the european version of BMC. But even before that Becks was horrible swill. As are many breweries in Germany. I´m aware of that. And I don´t drink beer that´s advertised on german TV as a matter of principle so I think I´m rather safe.

Originally posted by steveh
Are you positive? There are many dialectic words and slang terms across the U.S. that always pop up and make me shake my head in wonderment. From what I've heard in dialects around Germany (speak any Schwäbisch?), they can be as wide and diverse.I´m absolutely positive.

Originally posted by steveh
That was ironic Ami humor, my friend - guess it doesn't translate well.
No it doesn´t and the lack of smilies on this board makes it even worse. I often have a hard time expressing myself with just one measly smiley. It´s just too limiting.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
No it doesn´t and the lack of smilies on this board makes it even worse. I often have a hard time expressing myself with just one measly smiley. It´s just too limiting.

Wait -- but I had a smilie on that -- do they not come across on your browser? We have built-in emoticons on the site and I used the one usually designated for the "elbow nudge" type of joke. Sorry.

AFA St. Pauli's and Beck's, we're on the same page (and with breweries right around every corner of your house, why would you need to bother). But you originally called St. Pauli's and American beer - and I took that as an insult (ironic humor here again ;) ), so I wanted to defend myself.

S.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by steveh
But you originally called St. Pauli's and American beer

I thought it was and corrected myself in a later posting. It´s brewed here but caters to the BMC crowd exclusively. Happy now ? :D

[fretlessman71]

Well, I'M happy... let's all raise our St. Pauli Girls in salute! :D

or not........

[steveh]

Definitely not.

Sturm, they really cater to the same crowd Heineken does - those pretentious beer drinkers who like to be seen with a green bottle in their hands -- somehow signifying greater prestige by having chosen the import over the domestic.

This crowd nearly invaded the Guinness craze over here, then - much to their dismay - they discovered Guinness actually had flavor. You should see their faces on a first drink of Spaten Optimator.

The more robust of the bunch retreated to the likes of Hacker-Pschorr weiss (with plenty of lemon), but most of them have fallen back on gesturing to their peers with the frozen green bottle as "emphasis."

S.

[MeridianFC]

I have to admit I remember foundly my first girl! St. Pauli Girl was one of the "stepping stone" beers of my youth. It's certainly not a world beater, but it isn't quite swill on the level of Bud or Miller. I wouldn't turn down a SPG if offered, though I have often demuted when Bud/Miller/Coors are the only thing on offer.

[fretlessman71]

Hey steve and Strum... easy, ok? The lack of smileys is making your dialogue appear personal... :(

[chazwicke]

I'm gonna throw another big German beer into the mix here. I'd like opinions of Bitburger. I would take a Bit over St. Pauli and Becks any day but I think it is still not on the level of most other German beers That I have tried. ( Jever was an early favorite and still is.) Anyone wish to opine?

[MeridianFC]

It's funny you throw that out there. I go back and forth on Bitburger. It was anohter early German brew I had. I'll still get one from time to time if it's on draft. Sometimes I think it's a damn fine beer, with a nice hint of malt and sometimes I'll think it's very ordinary indeed. I guess it depends on what I've had immediately before. I'm going to state for the record that it's OK. We might as well dicuss Warsteiner while we're at it.

I agree with you Jever is a very fine German Pilsner and I say that as a confirmed Helles/Dunkles man. Jever is probably the hoppiest of the "mass" produced German Pilsners.

[steveh]

Sturm, don't they advertise Bitburger on TV?

Fret - get yer own forum to moderate!! ;)

S.

Edit: On my last post, the "Definitely not" was directed at raising a SPG, not a reply on my happiness.

[chazwicke]

Bitte Ein Bit!

[Jake]

I didn't mean to start anything here, but I have learned a lot about St. Pauli Girl Beer. Thanks for all the input. I like to reiterate what I have stated before that I'm new to the micro brew scene and don't live in a micro brew mecca. I thought maybe I found a REAL German beer. Apparently from what I'm reading I better keep searching. I like to know what real German beer is there avaiblable to us in the U.S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh

Fret - get yer own forum to moderate!!
I already have a few, but nobody's getting snippy over there! :D

[Bradfrd12]

I like to know what real German beer is there avaiblable to us in the U.S.

Well Jake I can give it my best shot to recommend a few German beers that I think are really good. Whether or not you can get them in the states probably depends on where you shop for your "hard to find" beers.

Anyway, there are 2 wheat beers that are probably quite easy to find in the states that I think are very good. Franziskaner and Paulaner. These are both hefe-weiss beer, if you like that sort of thing. I do. I do know that Paulaner also sells Salvator, which isn't hefe-weiss at all but is very malty and very yummy. As for Franziskaner you can google them I suppose to see what other products they offer. My favorite brewery in Germany, however, is in Wurzburg and oddly is called Wurzburger Hofbrau. Wonderful beers all round and a great little city as well. Here's some more info http://www.wuerzburger-hofbraeu.de/

You may have to bone up on your german first though I don't know if they offer the site in English or not....anyway take a look round and see the cool pics and what not.

Have fun and I hope this helps....I am now officially awaiting the barrage of people who are going to tell me that Paulaner and Franziskaner are poop.

Bradford

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I already have a few, but nobody's getting snippy over there!

Nobody was here either, unless it's out of favor to scoff at swill drinkers any more?

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bradfrd12
I am now officially awaiting the barrage of people who are going to tell me that Paulaner and Franziskaner are poop.

You shouldn't get too many detractors of Paulaner or Franziskaner, they're definitely in a different league from St. Pauli. Paulaner is more known for their line of lagers here in the 'States, Hacker-Pschorr being the most recognized hefeweizen - even though they also make great lagers too.

S.

And thanks for the Würzburger link, it's one of my favorite cities in Germany too. Here's the English (http://www.wuerzburger-hofbraeu.de/wuehoeng/brauerei/unternehmen/) link.

[chazwicke]

Wurzberger beers have been available in the States as well. In the 70s one of the macros, I forget which, possibly Pabst, Had a contract to bring it over. This was to combat Millers hijacking the Lowenbrau name and sneakily brewing it here in the States. I think AB might have tried the same with Augustiner. Can't remember now.

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by Jake
I didn't mean to start anything here, but I have learned a lot about St. Pauli Girl Beer. Thanks for all the input. I like to reiterate what I have stated before that I'm new to the micro brew scene and don't live in a micro brew mecca. I thought maybe I found a REAL German beer. Apparently from what I'm reading I better keep searching. I like to know what real German beer is there avaiblable to us in the U.S.

St. Pauli Girl is a real German beer (it's beer made in Germany according to the Rheiheitsgebot). Sure it's made exclusively for the export market, but that doesn't change facts. The important thing in this discussion is do you like it? We here can oft times be a bit snobbish, mostly because we really deeply care about the subject matter and have a spent a long time experimenting and tasting. I think you'd do well to try to find some of the brews suggested above, but in the meantime as your beer journey gets underway in earnest, if you enjoy St. Pauli Girl and can nab it cheap, enjoy. That said I'm willing to bet that given some time you'll find that you enjoy beers like Jever or even Wartsteiner a bit more, but let your taste be your guide.

"No one is a hypocrite in their pleasure"

K.

Playing the contrarian for the day. ;)

[fretlessman71]

Whoa.... "No one is a hypocrite in their pleasure." What a great quote! :)

...unless you're just pretending to like your mother-in-law's clam dip...

[Jake]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by steveh
[B]You shouldn't get too many detractors of Paulaner or Franziskaner, they're definitely in a different league from St. Pauli. Paulaner is more known for their line of lagers here in the 'States, Hacker-Pschorr being the most recognized hefeweizen - even though they also make great lagers too.

S.

I have someone looking into whether he might be able to find Paulaner Original Munich Premium Lager and/or Paulaner Oktoberfest-Mirzen to trade Bristlecome Brown Ale and Cottonwood Almond Stout that I have. Can any of you guys get your hands on Paulaner and like to trade?

[Grog]

Jake - Shoot me a PM and tell me what you want and how many.

-G-