German beers

[Landlord]

Guten abend meinen Freunden,

We are thinking of putting on a (very) mini-Oktoberfest at the pub and would like to stock some cracking German bottled beers. Do any of you chaps and chapesses have any recommendations you could make?

We'd like a range from the piss-weak to the ϋber-strong but, crucially, they have to be loverly. The less well known the better - within reason (no bottles of Shpϋnk! or Piβflap or whatever, for example)

Any suggestions?

Danke schön,
Herr Phil.

[TonyToniTone]

Kolsch is nice, especially Früh if you can get it.
http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/kolsch.html

[anonymous-user]

Agreed on the Fruh, have been rather tipsy many times at the Fruh Hoff in Koln. Indeed, any Kolsch beer is great - although you really need small glasses with frequent top-ups for that authentic German style...

[Kermit power]

This thread should make for interesting reading. With the honourable exception of wheat beers, I've always found German beers to be rather bland and samey, but I'm willing to learn.

As a general rule, I'd say England for draft beers and Belgium for bottled, and you won't go far wrong.

[BrabusMog]

Are you looking for out-and-out German beers that won't be recognised by most UK drinkers? If not, two of my favourite and easily sourced German beers are Bittburger and Löwenbräu.

Edit for umlauts!

Edited by BrabusMog on Wednesday 16th September 08:10

[RizzoTheRat]

I generally don't do lager but I developed quite a taste for Krombacher when I was out in Germany last year.

[Lord Pikey]

My personal favorites are Augustiner brau and Lowenbrau

As im sure you know all the local Munich Breweries have Oktoberfest specials on at the momment which normally pack a little more punch than the standard 5%.

For the non drinkers amoungst us like me i really rate the Lowenbrau Alkoholfrei. It tastes lovelly and you dont even know your not drinking alcohol

[SVX]

Schneider-Weisse is possibly my favourite wiesse bier, used to live on the stuff in Zurich

[calibrax]

I lived in Germany for many years and Herforder Pils was hugely popular with the squaddies.

Some reviews here...

http://beer.livingsocial.com/beer/2656-herforder-p...

Edited by calibrax on Wednesday 16th September 11:57

[mcflurry]

BrabusMog said:

Are you looking for out-and-out German beers that won't be recognised by most UK drinkers? If not, two of my favourite and easily sourced German beers are Bitburger and Löwenbräu.

Edit for umlauts!

Bitburger is sold in Majestic and in Waitrose. The Lions Brew only seems to make the occasional appearance in Sainsbury's down my way around Oktoberfest time. Excellent choices

[TEKNOPUG]

Franzikaner
Erdinger
Erdinger Dunkel
Edelweiss
Paulaner
Schneider Weiss
Bitburger Pilsner
Konig Pilsner
Veltins Plisner

They should all be pretty easy to get hold of.

[dougc]

I'll second Paulaner and Bitburger. The non-alcoholic version of the latter has got to be the best 0% lager around too.

[zakelwe]

Bitbruger was my favourite German beer that was easily accessible but I now think Warsteiner trumps it for more flavour, it is stronger, less hoppy but still dry. I have only ever found it in Morrisons Hythe though. Anyone else got a good source for it?

Regards
Andy

[BrabusMog]

Paulaner, how could I forget? It wouldn't be the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park without Paulaner!

[Black Sport 160]

Kostritzer. Black lager brewed by the Bitburger brewery. Highly recommended.

[uncinqsix]

Schneider Adventinus is a really interesting one - dark wheat beer.

[BrabusMog]

Well, it had to happen. Just raided Tesco for all their Paulaner and Erdinger. Poor selection really, but nothing else was going to cut the mustard tonight!

[V8mate]

Bitburger has good availability in the UK and it is a great example of a German beer.

[cramorra]

TEKNOPUG said:

Franzikaner
Erdinger quite OK
Erdinger Dunkel OK
Edelweiss
Paulaner
Schneider Weisse
Bitburger Pilsner
Konig Pilsner OK
Veltins Plisner
Warsteriner OK
Augustiner (Wiesnbier would be the Octoberfest one) divine nectar
Löwenbräu OK
König Ludwig Dunkel Great
Prinzregent Luitpold Super
These Two or our equivalent to Duchy Originals as the brewery is owned by the (theoretical) Crown Prince of Bavaria
Spaten Bräu :good:
Franziskaner Weissbier :very good:
The last two are occasionally seen in Morrsions

Prost!

If you go to Germany try dark beers more than lager, don't be afraid of odd shape bottles

[Landlord]

zakelwe said:

Warsteiner... Anyone else got a good source for it?

[cough]we sell it on draft[/cough]

Thanks everyone - great ideas.

We used to sell Bitburger Drive (zero alcohol) but changed it for Becks Blue.

Edited by Landlord on Thursday 17th September 02:22