Munich’s Beer Gardens East and West of the Isar

Munich’s Beer Gardens East and West of the Isar

  What’s in a Date? 23 April, Lagers, and Munich’s Iconic Beer Gardens In brewers’ lore of yore, April meant more than showers bringing May flowers. In fact, the Feast of St. George on 23 April has influenced both the emergence of lager beers and 

Stone Brewing Berlin: A Rocky Landing Righted?

Stone Brewing Berlin: A Rocky Landing Righted?

I headed out to Stone Brewing’s Berlin outpost in Mariendorf with less than great expectations. Stone’s arrival in Berlin had, after all, been anything but auspicious. During a press conference in 2014, co-owner Greg Koch presided over the destruction of a pallet of main-stream European 

Prague: A Jewel in the Crown of Beer Culture

Prague: A Jewel in the Crown of Beer Culture

  ~Some of Prague’s Best Beer Spots~   Prague is justly famous for its Old Town Square, its Castle District dominated by St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge, majestic despite the throngs of tourists. Beyond that, Prague is famous for the Defenestration of Prague. 

Beer in Prague: A List to Get You Started

Beer in Prague: A List to Get You Started

Prague. Beer. Two words that go well together. Welcome to my series on Prague. In contrast to other series I’ve compiled or other city/regional spotlights I’ve written, I’m going to start at the end, as it were, with a rough-and-ready list of beers that you 

Berlin Calling: Beer in the Capital of Germany

Berlin Calling: Beer in the Capital of Germany

It’s late 2008, about a month after I had arrived in Berlin to conduct research on Germany’s recent efforts to commemorate the Second World War. Another leaden gray winter afternoon, mist hanging low enough to obscure the landmark TV Tower on Alexanderplatz, leafless trees shivering 

Will Walk for Beer: Franconian Brews beyond Bamberg

Will Walk for Beer: Franconian Brews beyond Bamberg

Suppose you have finally made your way to Munich to try all of those harmoniously brewed helles lagers, Bocks, and Hefeweizens. Supposing, too, that you ventured further afield to the iconic breweries that ring Munich, such as Kloster Andechs, Weihenstephan, and Ayinger. What’s the next 

In the Land of Flemish Red-Brown Ale

In the Land of Flemish Red-Brown Ale

  ~Oud Bruin? Rood Bruin? Flemish Red? It’s all foeders to me~   Only an hour by train from Brussels, West Flanders is renowned for its picturesque medieval towns replete with belfries and beguinages, sandy North Sea beaches, verdant open fields, and a harrowing First