Beers of Germany...

So, yesterday we learned that there are over 5,000 types of beers in Germany.  Let's take a look at some of the most popular beer is Deutschland, and please remember that I am in no way a beer aficionado.  All of my information has been found on the Internet or by things people have told me.  I know what I like to drink but can't tell you how it's made, just that it's good with pommes frites...


Alt beer.  I can't live in Dusseldorf and not list this one first.  There is a huge debate between Dusseldorf and Cologne on who has the better beer, and because of where I live, Alt will be listed first...it is also my favorite!  Alt bier, or Alt as it is better known is a beer brewed mostly in Dusseldorf, or in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.  Alt bier actually means "old beer".  The beer is stored after fermentation, leading to a cleaner, crisper beer.  It is a subtle beer with a bit of a bitter taste.

Pils beer is next, and is also second on my list of personal favorites.  According to the German Beer Institute, "pils is arguably the most successful beer style in the world."  This is a blond beer that is "strongly hopped".  Apparently one of the original brewers of this beer was actually born in Dusseldorf~not sure if this is true or just a rumor?  This beer is also best when served from a tulip shaped glass-even a champagne flute-so that it keeps the "hops bouquet".  I say, anything served from a champagne flute is good!

The third beer on my list is from Bavaria; Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier.  This wheat beer has a unique flavor that comes from the special yeast used to ferment this beer.  The beer is still brewed in Bavaria at the Weihenstephaner Brewery which dates back to 768, thus making it the "oldest working brewery in the world."

Coming in at number 4 is the Spaten Oktoberfest beer.  Spaten Oktoberfest is a sweet, brown beer that is produced in Munich, Germany in the spring months to be ready for consumption in the fall.  It is only available from August to October or November and has an alcohol content of 5.9%.  Rumor has it that only beer brewed in the city limits of Munich can be served at the Oktoberfest, thus making it an official "Oktoberfest" beer.

And last, but certainly not least is the Berliner Kindl Weisse, a regional beer from Berlin.  This "unusual" style of beer is a cloudy, sour, wheat beer that dates back to the 16th Century.  Berliner is often consumed from a "bowl shaped glass" and often with a raspberry syrup added.  It is considered a tart, tangy and refreshing beer, with honeyed tones that is usually consumed in the summer.

I hope that if you are ever in Germany you take the time to taste test a few of the beers this country has to offer, and let me know what is your favorite.