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If there is one thing Germany takes seriously it is their wine and beer. Since I have a fair bit of time to enjoy both while on this side of the ocean, I thought I would share my exploration with everyone. I will try to stick to German beers, but I think everyone will forgive me if I stray into Austria or Belgium from time to time. So, without any more idle chatter, on to the sampling of libations:
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 Beck's Bremen Germany | First up is something I think everyone will find familiar. Beck's is readily available and popular in the states, but they OWN Bremen. I spent a Saturday evening in Bremen looking around and it was difficult to buy a beer not made or distributed by Beck's. This is a light flavorful beer which most everyone will enjoy. It's a little heavier than the water and hops American's call beer, but not much. So, Beck's gets a thumbs up from me and probably millions of other people as well. |
| Much to my surprise, Germany has a very large selection of non-alcoholic beers. You can find them in the company cafeterias, and they fill whole aisles in the stores. This one, called Clausthaler Classic, is very good. It is dark, but not bitter and is quite refreshing properly chilled. Also, if you look closely at the bottle, you'll see the 2000 Gold Metal for a non-Alcholic beer on one side, and the location of the award on the other. Milwaukee, WI. It's good to see that the world takes Milwaukee brewing as seriously as we do. |
 Clausthaler Classic Frankfurt Germany |
 WarSteiner Warstein Germany | WarSteiner is a nice pilsener type beer. It has a slightly bitter after taste, but it's mild and reminds me slightly of cloves. In general it's a good flavorful beer, but not something I would keep stocked in my fridge at home. If you like Harp or Bass, this is much the same. |
| Javer is a factory beer. So much so that it doesn't even claim a home town. The pilsener is slightly bitter (more so than most) and it didn't really appeal to my tastes. There is also an alcohol free version of this particular beer available. |
 Javer (Everywhere) Germany |
 Konig-Pilsener Duisburg-Beeck Germany | The Konig-Pilsener is quite possibly the best pilsener I have ever had. The taste is light and refreshing with only a hint of bitterness. This is one I would strongly recommend if you can find it. |
| Astra. Yet another pilsener. Dispite how it may appear I have been looking for things other than pilseners to drink, however Germans obviously like their pilseners. So, Astra isn't anything special. Not to bitter, not too anything really. This one is made in Hamburg. |
 Astra Hamburg Germany |
 Weisse Berlin Germany | So, how many of you know what "schankbeir" means? I didn't make the connection until after I had opened the bottle and taken a gulp. Weisse is beer bitters. Not good for consumption straight unless you feel like punishing yourself for some bad deed. |
| Back to pilsener land. Holsten is also a nice, ordinary pilsener. It is light with a mild after taste. You'll enjoy it. |
 Holsten Pilsener Hamburg Germany |
 Kostriker Bad Kostritz Germany | I finally picked out something nice and dark. This is a heavy schwarzbier, and it was quite good. Not so thick and bitter as Guiness or Murphy's, so if you like something a little more flavorful, but not a meal in a can, I'd suggest trying this one. |
| Flensburger is an extremely bitter pilsener. It's a taste you won't escape for some time unless you find something else to saturate your taste buds with. It isn't terrible, but I won't buy it again. Not with so many better choices available. |
 Flensburger Pilsener Flensburg Germany |
 Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier Munich Germany | Franziskaner is a white beer. It's a little bitter for my taste, but most weiss beer is has a bit of a bite. If you like Hacker-Pschorr this tastes basicly the same. |
| Diebels is a nice, dark flavorful beer. It's closer to the malty Irish stouts such as Guiness and Murphy's. I enjoyed it, and if you like a hearty beer, this one will suit you. |
 Diebels Issum/Niederrhein Germany |
 Schwarzer Steiger Abfulberg Germany | This beer tastes almost exactly like New Castle. It is quite a bit darker in color, but you would be hard pressed to chose one or the other in a blind taste test. |
| This is my second selection from Holsten. Another Pilsener. Well, it's much like any other. This one has a bit of a bitter after taste, but it is wonderful going down. |
 Holsten Edel Hamburg Germany |
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