Category Archives: Beer Trips

For those times when you have to go out of your way to make something possible when extending your Beer Experience.

German Kloster Brewery Trip #4

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While I’ve been in Germany, I’ve mixed up my trips to include mountain biking, “architectural touring,” and beer-related trips.  When I can combine the three of them, that makes for a great outing.  Three times before I’ve been to the brewery AND the monastery: Ettal, Zwiefalten, and Weltenburg.  This trip combined two of the three — architecture with beer.

Since November, I’ve visited eight different German monasteries/abbeys: Andechs, Bebenhausen, Ettal, Irsee, Maulbronn, Ottobeuren, Weltenburg, and Zwiefalten.  Six of these are still producing beers as part of their livelihood.  Today I visited three of these (Ottobeuren, Irsee, and Andechs), and I had a brew from two of them — Andechs and Irsee.

I have to say, hands down, I enjoyed the time I spent at Irsee a lot more than I did at Andechs.  Andechs was  a lot more commercialized than Irsee — it was very comfortable at Irsee … and the beer was amazingly good.

Today I had the Irseer Klosterbrau UrDunkel.  Very nice!   Oh, and you can see by the picture below that it was another successful trip … my wife must be getting tired of all the glasses I’m sending home! Ha!

Beer Mentor

Another Nice Radler

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I really like the German Radler — if you are unfamiliar with this combination let me explain — typically it is either one half of  a Pilsner or a Weizen beer and then one half of a Lemon-Lime flavored Cola (think Sierra Mist).  So, you have a 1/2 and 1/2 combo.  The reason it is called a Radler is because Radler means “Cyclist.”

This drink was “developed” for a Cyclist to drink after they were finished riding (or part way through their ride as I’ve had it before <smile>) … it provides just enough carbs and not too much alcohol.

The one I had today was from the Stuttgarter Hofbraeu: Lemon Gold.  Very palatable…

Beer Mentor

April Fool’s! Beer Mentor got promoted!

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Ha ha!  Today I had a party to celebrate my advancement to the next rank in the military.  I think some people thought it wouldn’t happen, so it was only appropriate that I celebrated it on April Fool’s Day.

Fortunately, while celebrating, I found a Weizen beer I hadn’t had yet: Maisel’s Weisse.   This was  a decent beer and I thoroughly enjoyed it, considering the circumstances.

Beer Mentor

Another Nice Kloster Brew

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Tonight I enjoyed another Kloster brew — this one from Weltenburg again.  This particular beer was their Weltenburger Barock Dunkel.   This beer won a Gold Medal at the World Beer Cub as the best Dunkel in the world–twice! (2004, 2008).

I have to tell you … this was a very nice Dunkel.  It sure hit the spot I can tell you that much–I can see why it was a Gold Medal Winner.

Beer Mentor

Yes … a brew from the oldest brewery!

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I had another one of my beers from Weihenstephaner Brewery tonight — this one was the Hefeweissebier Dunkel.  I really like these unfiltered wheat beers … since my wife has a gluten intolerance you might think this is mean … but I’m drinking it when she’s not around!  Yes, it is a good one…what do you expect from a brewery that’s been brewing for 1000 years…

Beer Mentor

A Double Hit on Norway! A Doppel Dose!

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Here’s two days in a row with Norwegian Beers!  This is one of the “hand-brewed” beers I picked up in Norway–from the HaandBryggeriet brewery.

This is an imperial IPA … I know, right?  I love it!  I’ve been away from all those Imperial-style beers the Americans have been making … so this was a welcome treat!   The name of this one is HaandBryggeriet “Doppel Dose.”

I’d say it’s got a Quadrupel Dose of everything … from the Maris Otter malt to the very floral aroma of the hops, it’s a very nice imperial … smooth and worth the wait to drink it.

Oh, and I really like the fact that the label has fingertips on it — either to look like a hand is holding the bottle or to give you a target for where to hold it! LOL!

Beer Mentor

Whoa! A Bock Beer from Norway!

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First, I’m inserting a nice picture I took of the tree outside my hotel .. kind of artsy-fartsy — but I love this tree … and the lighting was perfect for picture.

Ok, now on to beer.  Today’s beer is another one from Norway.  This is from the Ringnes Brewery (owned by Carlsberg).  It is a strong bock beer: Frydenlund Bokkøl

I really enjoy sampling all these beers.  This one is no exception.  It is interesting to taste the difference in this bock from a traditional German … it’s hard to explain, but I think this one is sweeter for some reason than normal German Bock beers.

Beer Mentor

I love IPAs … and Brew Dog’s is good …

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Brew Dog brewing is definitely my kind of brewery.   They are Scotland’s largest independent brewery — they are stepping out and making innovative beers … and being successful at it.  They’re actually in a “competition” with another brewery I’ve had on the site — Schorschbrau — for the strongest beer in the world.

I brought this particular beer (Punk IPA) back with me from Norway and thought it was time to break it out.  Very nice … well worth the effort to find AND drink.

Beer Mentor