Franconian Beer Message Board

Forchheim Washup

Posted by barry on 2012-09-19 11:48:23

First to top and tail previous reports. Thursday was our farewell visit to Bamberg - glad to find Spezial open, so resampled their excellent 'rauch', probably the nearest to it on this trip was the Hirschtrunken from Kraus. Then off to Ben's favourite for a farewell seidla of what must be one of Europe's most distinctive beers - Schlenkerla Maerzen, of course. Still love it and the Schwemm is one of the most interesting places to drink if you like people watching and meeting. Of course, final visit was Mahrs, favourite of another of our most regular correspondents. Love 'a Ue', though future visits threatened because tardiness in supplying our 'bill' led to us missing a bus; J. was not amused! Friday has been well reported by Nick - great to find Greif stube open for business and even better to taste the quality of their helles bier. As Nick has reported, we were assured that this is the brew that they sell as kellerbier in the kellerwald. But it tasted so much better in a glass by the brewery. And very pleasant service as well. Then off to the extremely crowded but entertaining Neder stube. The beer tasted a bit off at first but it seemed to get better after the first seidla. The Schwarzer Anna is interesting - J. pointed out, correctly, I think, that it really tastes like a stronger version of their regular beer vom fass. Over the weekend in Leipheim, we had one seidla of Hirschbraue Helles - not up its usual form - and a seidla of Gold Ochsen in Ulm, which was very nice - quite like the Hirschbrau beer but in better condition. Now home again and blue skies and 25C replaced by grey skies and 12C - and back to Guinness, of which two pints were managed today. In retrospect, I think that Forchheim was a good choice for a change of venue. The fewo was ok - a bit basic but not expensive and its location was reasonably handy, given the availability of a good bus service and a €32 town mobi-card. As reported before, the bus drivers have no interest in tickets. We regularly produced our card on trips to Stiebarlimbach and were just waved away. Short of forcing the money on the driver, it's hard to know what you can do but I do wonder what would happen if an inspector got on. Forchheim is a very pretty town and not too large, meaning you can easily get to its drinking venues. We liked all the four breweries, though only managed to get one seidla to drink at Hebendanz before they went on a month's urlaub. There are also a couple of decent pubs, if you get fed up of the brewery taps, while the Kellerwald, a bit deserted during weekdays, is a short bus ride from the ZOB (or a decent hike uphill). The town gives moderately convenient access to some country places, particularly the Schlammesdorf/Stiebarlimbach/Hallerndorf complex, and Hirschaid (we particularly liked Kraus and the keller just east of town was quite nice). Unfortunately, we had an unfortunate experience trying to get to Rossdorf/Geissfeld. As from Bamberg, a combination of odd opening hours, ruhetag, urlaub and limited bus services makes visiting a lot of the country breweries pretty difficult. Certainly, those of a more active disposition would find access a bit better but J's worsening right hip severely limited our ability to walk too far. Finally, I must pay special tribute to two stamtisch regulars, Nick and Juergen. Nick for his unfailing good humour and companionship - plus introductions to some very nice people. Not forgetting, of course, for his tasting afternoon - don't know whether he is considering offering this as a service to all stamtisch visitors but I would highly recommend the experience. And, of course, to Juergen for giving us access to places we just would never have reached without his help. Spielbach was a magical experience and we are seriously considering a visit to Dinklsbuehl and Rothenburg in the future. Thanks guys, this is what I think the stamtisch is all about. Maybe we will try to ressurect the proposed forum get together next year - it all depends on you out there!

Forchheim Washup by Mark Andersen on 2012-09-19 13:38:53

Forchheim Washup by Nick B. on 2012-09-19 23:15:26

Forchheim Washup by barry on 2012-09-20 01:13:00

Forchheim Washup by mike004 on 2012-09-20 04:27:41

Forchheim Washup by Uncle Jimbo on 2012-09-20 09:48:10

Forchheim Washup by barry on 2012-09-20 12:03:20

Forchheim Washup by Uncle Jimbo on 2012-09-20 16:24:43

Forchheim Washup by barry on 2012-09-21 01:58:50

Forchheim Washup by Jürgen Wening on 2012-09-21 03:28:47

Forchheim Washup by barry on 2012-09-21 04:37:57

Forchheim Properties by Nick B. on 2012-09-24 05:09:37

Forchheim Properties by barry on 2012-09-24 07:55:38

Forchheim Properties by Nick B. on 2012-09-24 08:11:12

Forchheim Properties by barry on 2012-09-24 11:45:01

Forchheim Properties by Nick B. on 2012-09-24 14:16:42

Forchheim Properties by barry on 2012-09-25 01:39:16

Forchheim Properties by Nick B. on 2012-09-25 04:50:56

Forchheim Properties by barry on 2012-09-25 11:37:06