Franconian Beer Message Board
Bamberg visit - Mahr's & U |
| Posted by Barry on 2010-01-05 03:47:49 |
| Well guys, this has been a most interesting and informative discussion. I don't really have any conclusion other than I think that I have learned a little bit more about German practices but that they still appear to be shrouded in much mystique! There is an expression in Ireland 'to put manners on someone or something' - in other words, to force them to act in a decent kind of way. In my view, that's the most positive effect of CAMRA in the UK - it forced the brewing industry, generally, to be honest and so flushed out the dishonest practitioners who mostly quit the scene, leaving it open for all the newcomers. These seem to be mainly enthusiasts, some of whom have made a pretty good business out of brewing good, honest ale. I guess that the German beer market is quite differemt, with a lot of regional variation and many, many more small, local operators (maybe, as well, that brewing and dispensing bottom fermented beer is a more complex matter than top fermented ale). However, from the various comments on this forum and other things that I have read, the German beer industry seems to lack the openness that now exists in the UK, for all the claims otherwise. In addition, from your various comments, stangely, for one of the most consumer conscious countries in Europe, German beer consumers seem to lack consumer consciousness when it comes to beer. I don't think that I can ever reconcile the practice of adding CO2 to any kind of beer (which is why I, generally, choose not to drink bottle beer). To me, artificially adding CO2 is like adding water to meat (a regular practice), it simply changes the nature of the product. For my next trip to Franken, I'm going to try to make an ininerary of those places who serve their own product naturally - i.e. like proper 'U' or Hirschbrau, and perhaps, at a suitable date, those interested might like help to prepare such. Thanks for all your comments, I am suitably enlightened (a little!). |
| Followups: |
 Bamberg visit - Mahr's & U by Mark Andersen on 2010-01-05 07:02:19 |
| Natural carbonation in beers by Uncle Jimbo on 2010-01-05 10:22:09 |