Franconian Beer Message Board
OT: Muenchen |
| Posted by Jason on 2013-04-10 02:52:46 |
| Hi Barry, I'm going to wade in on this one.... firstly, if you haven't been to Munich proper than you must. It's one of the more attractive big cities in Europe and is a pleasure to wander round when it's not too crowded. In terms of beer, there are lots of options, near and far. I disagree with Nick about Augustiner (this is a forum after all ;) ), by far the best 'big' brewery in Munich which may not be saying much but when the beer is served by gravity it is really excellent. Two places I know of have it on gravity, the Keller which is already mentioned is a great place to relax in the sun and with 5,000 capacity a real experience when full. The other place is slightly less well known and is my favorite place in Munich centre - the Nurnberger Bratwurst am Glockl, right under the Dom, is a real gem. They serve Augustiner Helles by gravity and I love it. They also do really good sausages served on pewter plates. Weises Brauhaus is also excellent and nowadays serves the full Schneider range including the Mein Hopfenweisse 8.2% US hopped weizenbock which is simply divine. The Hofbrauhaus is really obvious and as kitsch and touristy as you would expect and the beer isn't great but perhaps should be tried 'for completeness'. On the plus side, the Ayinger am Platz is round the corner and it has the full Ayinger range plus a seasonal (Kellerbier in summer) from gravity after 5pm (I think). I have also heard of a place (Hacker Haus I think) which serves Hacker Pschorr Helles from gravity, and though I haven't managed to get to it, I have heard the beer is good. Outside the centre, someone mentioned Forschungsbrauerei and I would certainly recommend this, the pils is a wonderfully hoppy beer that knocks the socks off most of the beers in the city. It's an interesting building a worth a detour, if you wish to visit ask me for a short cut that saves you a 15 minute walk. This is on the way to Aying and is worth a visit again. Farther afield, Andechs is an easy 60 minute S bahn and taxi ride (or steady walk) away and whilst I think the beer has lost something in the past 5 years the dopplebock is still superb and the experience is worth a trip if only once. There is another brewery nearby, Muhlfelder Brau I think which is ok too. More of a day trip will take you to Tegernesee which is a beautiful spot with an excellent brewery and beer hall next to the lake, a must if you haven't been. Of course in the city there are many beer gardens such as Hirschgarten and the 3 or 4 in the Englischer Garten which give a flavour of Munich's culture. In summary, I would heartily recommend a visit. I guess we get spoiled by visiting places like Franconia but it shouldn't deter you from trying other places that have there own charms, even if they are not as special (or provincial) as those elsewhere. In the same way as many people outside of London and Paris look down their noses at the city, I think people outside Munich have a dim view, but I suspect this is purely a pride in their own lesser known charms. Having been to Augsburg and found it rather boring, I would recommend Munich for a first time visit. Yes it's expensive, yes the people are stuffy and yes it isn't Franconia but if we compared everything with that macca I reckon we wouldn't go anywhere else. |
| Followups: |
 OT: Muenchen by Jason on 2013-04-10 02:58:48 |
| OT: Muenchen by Mike B. on 2013-04-10 06:07:30 |
| OT: Muenchen by Mark Andersen on 2013-04-10 06:26:39 |
| OT: Muenchen by Mark Andersen on 2013-04-10 06:34:53 |
| OT: Muenchen by Mike B. on 2013-04-10 08:03:29 |
| OT: Muenchen by Mark Andersen on 2013-04-10 11:15:57 |