Had some beer in Germany this summer

[Stefan A]

I don't have a whole lot to say about it, but since I am new to the board, I wanted to start a thread.

I really don't remember too many brands I had, other than my typical choice was "Helles". Which refers to the fact that I wanted a lighter colored beer. Typically a hefe-weissen. I was in various parts of Bavaria - like Rothenburg and Munich. The beer was very good. My first day in Munich I just had to sit outside and drink a liter. Needless to say, that finished me for the day. People would be sitting out there 9 A.M. putting down liters. Unbelievable!

My wife got into Radler (beer and lemonade mix) which isn't as bad as it sounds. We also had beer from England, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.

Lots of huge beer gardens with beer by the liter and some of the best food you've ever had. If you haven't been, try to get out there.

Stefan

[fretlessman71]

Sounds like the place to be, and certainly the time to be there... :)

Welcome to the board!

[hops99]

My wife got into Radler (beer and lemonade mix) which isn't as bad as it sounds.

I actually sell some Radler (from Stiegl, in Austria) at my store. Interesting stuff.

[Stefan A]

Yeah, radler is interesting - and good. It tastes a lot like the beer you use in it, but it goes down real easy. And of course less of the effect. If I had a liter of radler on that first day instead of the real thing, things would have been better. Mostly we had it on draft, but my wife got a can of it at some point. Here at home, she has been trying to recreate it. But lemonade with BMC just isn't the same :)

Stefan

[HogieWan]

try lemonade with a hefeweisen - sound be similar

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stefan A
other than my typical choice was "Helles". Which refers to the fact that I wanted a lighter colored beer. Typically a hefe-weissen.

Welcome Stefan - I'm glad you found Munich and Germany so hospitable, some day I'll make my way back again.

However, to a point - while Hefeweizen may actually be "helles" in color, the Helles you were drinking is a style particular to Munich - a lager, bottom femented. The Hefeweizen being top fermented in the older brewing process.

On the other hand, both are wonderful styles of beer - perfect for a summer in Munich biergartens! Sigh.

Did you try any Dunkel while in Munich, perhaps even a Dunkelweizen?

S.

[HogieWan]

Dunkelweisen, mmmmmmm!

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Sounds like the place to be, and certainly the time to be there... :)

Welcome to the board!

Agreed. I've enjoyed every trip I've made to Germany.
Stefan, Did you make it to Bamberg?

[Stefan A]

No, didn't go to Bamburg. Just a few Bavarian destinations. Rothenburg, Munich, Fussen. Thanks for the clarification about the Helles. I should have known better than to try and tell you guys what a Helles is. Can you recomend a Helles similar to what I may have had in Munich? I tried one Dunkel, but I liked the Helles a little better. But if someone came up to me and said, "here, drink this Dunkle", I wouldn't turn it down. :)

Stefan

[HogieWan]

Paulaner Original Munich is a great one that is readily availible in the States. Fret has ofund it in cans as well.

[steveh]

Hogie is right on the Paulaner, and look for counterparts in Spaten, Hofbräu, and Augustiner - though for some reason the Augustiner is always priced about double the others. Hacker-Pschorr has an Edel Hell, but it seems a difficult find - probably outshone by its Hefe-Weizen brother.

S.