What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

Thanks,
Fred

Many places don't have enough turnover...

As muenchener beer goes, turnover is the main consideration. A fresh tap
of this light-styled stuff--with the keg just tapped--and with
atmosphere--is what it is all about. Once it heads overseas and sits
forever in a boat, on a dock, and at a distributor--then you are FAR better
off with a local microbrew.

fclaugus wrote:

What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.

There is no "best lager out of Munich" - what are the criteria for
"best?" My personal favorite Munich lager, St Jakobus Blonder Bock,
isn't even available in the U.S. It's not exactly common in Munich,
either. I'm also fond of Augustiner Edelstoff on tap. But most
Munich beers are pretty decent when fresh.

As far as a good place to buy it - depends on what you want. Bottles to
take home?

Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus

So you mean bottles to take home, then.

and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky.

Not uncommon, especially if they're sold in green bottles and not
protected from light. You'll do better if you can get a bottle out of
a freshly-opened case.

The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

What you should try is to find a place in Columbus that has German beer
on tap. Is Schmidt's in German Village still around?

If you're up for *really* fresh Munich-style beer, maybe you'll want to
head down the highway to Newport, KY, across the river from Cincinnati.
There's a Hofbrauhaus there, affiliated with the well-known one in
Munich. Better book a hotel there, though, and save the drive home for
the next day.
--
dgs

fclaugus wrote:

What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.

There is no "best lager out of Munich" - what are the criteria for
"best?" My personal favorite Munich lager, St Jakobus Blonder Bock,
isn't even available in the U.S. It's not exactly common in Munich,
either. I'm also fond of Augustiner Edelstoff on tap. But most
Munich beers are pretty decent when fresh.

As far as a good place to buy it - depends on what you want. Bottles to
take home?

Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus

So you mean bottles to take home, then.

and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky.

Not uncommon, especially if they're sold in green bottles and not
protected from light. You'll do better if you can get a bottle out of
a freshly-opened case.

The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

What you should try is to find a place in Columbus that has German beer
on tap. Is Schmidt's in German Village still around?

If you're up for *really* fresh Munich-style beer, maybe you'll want to
head down the highway to Newport, KY, across the river from Cincinnati.
There's a Hofbrauhaus there, affiliated with the well-known one in
Munich. Better book a hotel there, though, and save the drive home for
the next day.
--
dgs

"fclaugus" wrote in
:

What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy
it. Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much
of the imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I
visited munich in 99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had,
so I'd like to know what I should try first.

Not sure what your distribution is around there so can't help, but I do
know you live in a pretty good area for beer. Perhaps you can find a
more locally-brewed lager that'll give you a similar taste profile rather
than worrying about skunked green-bottled beer sitting around. I know
Great Lakes up in Cleveland makes a phenomenal Vienna and a number of
other good beers, though I haven't tried a Helles from them and their
Dortmunder wasn't that exciting. At any rate, there should be lots of
things to try. Anyways, obligatory Ratebeer link to the Columbus brew
tour:

http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=39
--
************************************************** ***************
Dan Iwerks thinks that the beer you're drinking probably sucks.
The fundamental problem with Solipsism is it makes me
responsible for the fact that you're a complete idiot.
************************************************** ***************

"fclaugus" wrote in
:

What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy
it. Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much
of the imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I
visited munich in 99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had,
so I'd like to know what I should try first.

Not sure what your distribution is around there so can't help, but I do
know you live in a pretty good area for beer. Perhaps you can find a
more locally-brewed lager that'll give you a similar taste profile rather
than worrying about skunked green-bottled beer sitting around. I know
Great Lakes up in Cleveland makes a phenomenal Vienna and a number of
other good beers, though I haven't tried a Helles from them and their
Dortmunder wasn't that exciting. At any rate, there should be lots of
things to try. Anyways, obligatory Ratebeer link to the Columbus brew
tour:

http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTour.asp?TourID=39
--
************************************************** ***************
Dan Iwerks thinks that the beer you're drinking probably sucks.
The fundamental problem with Solipsism is it makes me
responsible for the fact that you're a complete idiot.
************************************************** ***************

"fclaugus" wrote in message
...

What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

No matter which one you choose, odds are you're not going to find Munich's
finest in the States. There are a couple brewpubs that offer beers that
aren't sold elsewhere in Munich, let alone overseas, that are on my list of
contenders for "best" in Munich.

Of the major breweries, Augustiner is generally considered the best by the
locals, and is my favorite as well. Distribution to the States is spotty, at
best.

Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr and Löwenbräu are, in order, the worst of the Munich
beers, IMO. Spaten and Paulaner are decent but not great. One of them tend
to sell in green bottles (I think Spaten) and the other in brown (I think
Paulaner). Unless you're buying unopened cases, stick with the brown
bottles.

-Steve

-Steve

"fclaugus" wrote in message
...

What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

No matter which one you choose, odds are you're not going to find Munich's
finest in the States. There are a couple brewpubs that offer beers that
aren't sold elsewhere in Munich, let alone overseas, that are on my list of
contenders for "best" in Munich.

Of the major breweries, Augustiner is generally considered the best by the
locals, and is my favorite as well. Distribution to the States is spotty, at
best.

Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr and Löwenbräu are, in order, the worst of the Munich
beers, IMO. Spaten and Paulaner are decent but not great. One of them tend
to sell in green bottles (I think Spaten) and the other in brown (I think
Paulaner). Unless you're buying unopened cases, stick with the brown
bottles.

-Steve

-Steve

Give this link a try ...

http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/40/

Cheers!!
--
--
Jason Alstrom
--
BeerAdvocate.com Belgian Beer Fest Nov 6, 2004
http://beeradvocate.com/fests/
--
"fclaugus" wrote in message
...
What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

Thanks,
Fred

Give this link a try ...

http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/40/

Cheers!!
--
--
Jason Alstrom
--
BeerAdvocate.com Belgian Beer Fest Nov 6, 2004
http://beeradvocate.com/fests/
--
"fclaugus" wrote in message
...
What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

Thanks,
Fred

"fclaugus" wrote in message ...
What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

The best Munich beer by far is Augustiner and if you like the light
beers then they have 2 choices, Helles and Edelstoff. The second is
slightly stronger, more malty and with a honey flavour. They also do
an excellent Stark beer

The best place to drink Ausgustiner indoors is perhaps their new place
alongside the domed cathedral in the centre named "Augustiner am Dom".
There they serve Helles from wooden barrels and also Edelstoff from
wooden barrels in the evening. They have a high turnover - so much so
that the glasses are sometimes not terribly clean and you get smears
and bubbles on the inside of the glass. If you want a cleaner glass
then go to their main outlet at Stacchus towards the Hauptbahnhof
about 7 minutes walk away on the main pedestrian thoroughfare.

The best place to drink Edelstoff outdoors in the Augustiner Keller
beergarden (weather permitting) which is near Hackerbrücke on the
north side of the main railway line just one S-Bahn stop out from the
Hauptbahnhof. There is a large self-service bar and they serve
Edelstoff (not Helles) from large wooden barrels.

Maybe you drank Paulaner. That used to be good, especially if you made
the trip up Nockenburger hill where they brew some of their beer, but
is now less good and not worth drinking any more. Only their strong
dark Salvator beer is worth drinking and you won't need many of them.

Hofbräu festival beer is good but their regular beer is not so good.
For all the atmosphere of the Hofbräu Haus, they have fake wooden
barrels and their rather average regular helles beer is served from
the tap. They have a beergarden in the Englisher garten by the Chinese
Tower which is popular and pleasant.

Hacker-Pschorr Helles is quite nice. I suppose the best place to drink
it is with a meal in the Domisl place along the side of the Rathaus in
Mariensplatz. A nicely done-out, though modern building, that is far
more a food place than a beer place.

Ayingerbräu is quite drinkable. They have a helles and a light and
dark weiss beer. The best place to drink it is in their bar roughly
opposite the entrance to the Hofbräu Haus beergarden.

Löwenbräu isn't that great. Nothing to go look for but drinkable if it
is there. Spaten is rubbish but they make Franziskaner which is the
king of all weiss beers.


If you want a really good Bavarian beer then go to Nürnberg walled
town. Near the top, by the castle, there is a small brewery nearby
called Ältstadte (I think). That beer puts Ausgustiner to shame. If
you like dark smoked beer then go to Bamberg and drink it there. You
can also find an outlet for this beer in Nürnberg in the small
restaurant right near the castle in any case. It is a beer I like a
lot but none of my friends like it.

"fclaugus" wrote in message ...
What's the best lager out of Munich and where is a good place to buy it.
Many places don't have enough turnover here in Columbus and much of the
imported lagers taste skunky. The reason I ask is that I visited munich in
99 and loved the beer; however, I forget what I had, so I'd like to know
what I should try first.

The best Munich beer by far is Augustiner and if you like the light
beers then they have 2 choices, Helles and Edelstoff. The second is
slightly stronger, more malty and with a honey flavour. They also do
an excellent Stark beer

The best place to drink Ausgustiner indoors is perhaps their new place
alongside the domed cathedral in the centre named "Augustiner am Dom".
There they serve Helles from wooden barrels and also Edelstoff from
wooden barrels in the evening. They have a high turnover - so much so
that the glasses are sometimes not terribly clean and you get smears
and bubbles on the inside of the glass. If you want a cleaner glass
then go to their main outlet at Stacchus towards the Hauptbahnhof
about 7 minutes walk away on the main pedestrian thoroughfare.

The best place to drink Edelstoff outdoors in the Augustiner Keller
beergarden (weather permitting) which is near Hackerbrücke on the
north side of the main railway line just one S-Bahn stop out from the
Hauptbahnhof. There is a large self-service bar and they serve
Edelstoff (not Helles) from large wooden barrels.

Maybe you drank Paulaner. That used to be good, especially if you made
the trip up Nockenburger hill where they brew some of their beer, but
is now less good and not worth drinking any more. Only their strong
dark Salvator beer is worth drinking and you won't need many of them.

Hofbräu festival beer is good but their regular beer is not so good.
For all the atmosphere of the Hofbräu Haus, they have fake wooden
barrels and their rather average regular helles beer is served from
the tap. They have a beergarden in the Englisher garten by the Chinese
Tower which is popular and pleasant.

Hacker-Pschorr Helles is quite nice. I suppose the best place to drink
it is with a meal in the Domisl place along the side of the Rathaus in
Mariensplatz. A nicely done-out, though modern building, that is far
more a food place than a beer place.

Ayingerbräu is quite drinkable. They have a helles and a light and
dark weiss beer. The best place to drink it is in their bar roughly
opposite the entrance to the Hofbräu Haus beergarden.

Löwenbräu isn't that great. Nothing to go look for but drinkable if it
is there. Spaten is rubbish but they make Franziskaner which is the
king of all weiss beers.


If you want a really good Bavarian beer then go to Nürnberg walled
town. Near the top, by the castle, there is a small brewery nearby
called Ältstadte (I think). That beer puts Ausgustiner to shame. If
you like dark smoked beer then go to Bamberg and drink it there. You
can also find an outlet for this beer in Nürnberg in the small
restaurant right near the castle in any case. It is a beer I like a
lot but none of my friends like it.

Of the major breweries, Augustiner is generally considered the best by the
locals,

that is correct as I lived there for a year and a half not too long ago.
FYI, it is also the only tent at Wies'n to serve the beer out of wooden
kegs. The other tents make it look like they are serving out of wooden
kegs, but it is just a front.


Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr and Löwenbräu are, in order, the worst of the Munich
beers, IMO. Spaten and Paulaner are decent but not great.

correct too althouigh Hofbraeu might be a step below Hacker-Pschorr and
Loewenbraeu.

Ones just outside of MUC that are very good is Erdinger and
Wiehenstephan which also is known for their milk.

Gerald

The best place to drink Ausgustiner indoors is perhaps their new place
alongside the domed cathedral in the centre named "Augustiner am Dom".

generally very crowded and very small. right around the corner is a
place that sells a Krug of bier for 2 Euro. Can't remember what
brewerie but it is a stand-at-the-window kind of place.

The best place to drink Edelstoff outdoors in the Augustiner Keller
beergarden (weather permitting)

definitely. Man, I miss this place.


Oh, the other place that most people miss is Kloster Andechs which
is about a 25-35 drive away. Classic classic place. The restaurant
next door to it served one of very *few* memorable meals while I lived
there with excellent service (service wuerste deutschland) and excellent
food (in a land known for their bier and not for their food).

Gerald

The best place to drink Ausgustiner indoors is perhaps their new place
alongside the domed cathedral in the centre named "Augustiner am Dom".

generally very crowded and very small. right around the corner is a
place that sells a Krug of bier for 2 Euro. Can't remember what
brewerie but it is a stand-at-the-window kind of place.

The best place to drink Edelstoff outdoors in the Augustiner Keller
beergarden (weather permitting)

definitely. Man, I miss this place.


Oh, the other place that most people miss is Kloster Andechs which
is about a 25-35 drive away. Classic classic place. The restaurant
next door to it served one of very *few* memorable meals while I lived
there with excellent service (service wuerste deutschland) and excellent
food (in a land known for their bier and not for their food).

Gerald