Recommend me a beer

[oblio]

Hi

Off on our European trip soon which takes in Brugges and a week or so travelling around SW Germany.

In the UK I drink real ale or bitter and certainly not lager. Obviously in Belgium I will have a huge choice of beers to choose from but was wondering if any of you folks could recommend particular favourites. If we go true to form it will be 2-3 beers before eating, early evening so no big sessions or late nights!

I am partial, as said, to a real ale, IPA or bitter and don't mind a ruby red if available, in the UK. Not too fond of spiced/summer/winter 'specials'. In terms of Belgian beers I have only tried (and liked) Chimay and Leffe Bruin.

So any recommendations for Belgium and Germany?

ta

Graham

[BuzzLightyear]

In my experience, all of the Belgian beers are excellent - I don't think you can go too far wrong. Personally, I like the Blond beers too but if you stick to the "darker" ones they are all lovely and MILES better than what you might have bought in a shop over here.
Can't really help with Germany but have a great holiday.

[Wolff]

Highly recommend Dunkel Weizen in Germany - yes, its a wheat beer, but a dark one! Nice taste to them Read more here

[sawman]

straffe Hendrick is a pretty agreeable drop, in Brugge. In fact the brewery is in the city and you can do a tour if you are that way inclined

[smifffymoto]

Belgium,blimey there is so many and a different glass for each.

Hoeggarden,Leffe and Affligem are my favourites.Can't be much help with German beer,sorry.

[Matt172]

Delirium Tremens is always good for a laugh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delirium_Tremens_(bee...

Kwak isn't bad either, comes with it's own miniature yard of ale glass

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauwel_Kwak

both pretty strong so certainly not something you'd be wanting to drink all night

[oblio]

Cheers guys

A good start...lucky I'm not in for any long sessions

[DavesFlaps]

When you're in Belgium, make sure you try the Rochefort 10 (think it's the blue label)

An outstanding beer.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

As a real ale/bitter drinker and someone who spends quite a lot of time down near Stuttgart I've been through this dilemma. Obviously everything comes down to personal choice but I found I quite like Weissbiers and suggest you try Paulaner Hefeweiss Naturtrub. If that's still too lagerish you could try Paulaner Hefeweiss Dunkel, which is a darker brew.

[LooneyTunes]

oblio said:

In the UK I drink real ale or bitter and certainly not lager.

<snip>

So any recommendations for Belgium and Germany?

Just do the same as you probably do when visiting a new part of the UK: try the local brews and ask the barman for suggestions (they're usually pretty accommodating).

Dunkel (dark) beers likely to be more to your taste in Germany, but I love the wheat beers too.

[kiteless]

Something I have always loved, from Belgium (where else), is something called Rodenbach Grand Cru.

Although recently re-named Rodenbach Vintage (and still difficult to find), it is delicious, moreish stuff. About 6 volts, it's a traditional Belgian "sour" beer. Don't let that put you off, as it's like a Liefman's Kriek without the cherry flavour. It's much nicer than it sounds.

Germany?

I do enjoy Erdinger Dunkel, but - just to say you've tried some - seek out some Rauchbier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rauchbier

Again, nicer than it sounds.

[jackal]

chimay


Wonderful stuff


Bought a crate full of it back from brussels earlier this year

[davepoth]

Go to any bar, and just ask for the local beer; it'll be lovely.

[Gold]

Orval. Quite possibly the greatest beer in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orval_Brewery

[fatboy b]

I'm just back from Bruges. I was introduced to this by a local.

[Mosman]

Gold said:

Orval. Quite possibly the greatest beer in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orval_Brewery

One of my favorites too.