Franconian Beer Message Board

Bamberg visit - review

Posted by Barry on 2009-12-19 03:53:11

A few words on our recent visit to Bamberg: previously, we had stayed close or in the Altstadt but this time we were just off Poldorferstr., a few hundred metres from Abseits (excellent fewo, highly recommended). Fred Waltman describes the Café as an ‘American style café or restaurant’ and, certainly, it is not a typical brewery tap. It reminded me of the sort of pub that can sometimes be found in Britain, particularly in student areas – very relaxed, a bit ‘alternative’ but with excellent service, a wide range of food and excellent beer. Actually, it is like an up-market version of the pub that we used to run in Bath: the Bell. I would highly recommend a visit (or several). No. 902 bus stops close by and it’s only a ten-minute walk from the Hbhf. We made several visits, generally partaking of the Monsambacher bock (excellent but very strong!), or the Huppendorfer vollbier and lager. We were unlucky to hit Schlenkerla late Saturday afternoon, when it was absolutely jam-packed with refugees from the (disappointing) Christmas Market. We managed to get a seat in the ‘Schwemm’ (which Patrick Leigh Fermor translates as the ‘horse-pond’ in ‘A Time of Gifts’). The rauchbier was as tasty, as always but it was just too crazy to relax and enjoy, so we beat a quick retreat to Abseits. We visited ‘Spezial’ (a personal favourite) on several occasions also, of course, Fassla. Both were up to their usual excellent standard. We paid a quick post-lunch visit to Klosterbrau, where the service and general atmosphere was much friendlier than on previous occasions, and also a swift passing visit to Keesman. In retrospect, we wished that we had stayed longer, as we shared a table with two friendly and talkative retired teachers, who made us very welcome. For the first time, we sampled the Sternla and found that it was much more to our liking than the Herrenpils. And then, of course, there was Mahrs – but I think I’ll save my account of visits to the ‘best brewery in the world’ for a second instalment!

Bamberg visit - review by Nick B. on 2009-12-21 05:45:03

Bamberg visit - review by Uncle Jimbo on 2009-12-21 07:38:28

Bamberg visit - review by Fred Waltman on 2009-12-21 08:10:40

;-) by Nick B. on 2009-12-22 01:22:27