Augustiner Helles – the brewery is located in Munich and was founded in 1328 (Munich’s oldest brewery). This is one of their most popular beers, a light lager – light by German terms anyway at 5.2% alcohol. It’s very smooth and full-flavored, and my favorite lager so far. (Step aside, Budvar!) I like how the Germans use the word “helles” to describe a beer – it probably describes the morning after as well.
Lowenbrau Original – “here’s to good friends”….and a pretty good lager beer. This is brewed in Munich, Germany and dates back to 1383. It has a full, malty flavor and the good news is that we won’t run out of it because they sell it here in Switzerland. More than a few cans of this have been chilled on the terrace over the past few months.
Erdinger – this is an excellent Weißbiers (white/wheat beer). It’s very smooth and full-flavored. Founded in 1886 in Erding, Gmbh, it’s one of the world’s largest wheat beer breweries. On our beer run I bought four Erdinger glasses – one of the better investments I’ve made since they’re holding their value better than any of my stocks. They make another beer called Kristallklar, which is a filtered wheat beer – it’s more of a “warm weather” beer that is served in the glass with a slice of lemon. They’re good, but I think I’ll save them for the hot summer days on our terrace.
Wiehenstephaner Hefe Weissbeer - “Oh, sweet nectar of life!” That was my first reaction when I had my first one of these. I kind of liked it. This is one of my favorites. I may drive back to Germany just to get more of this. The Benedictine monks of this Bavarian brewery began brewing beer in 1040. After almost 1,000 years they’re close to achieving brewing perfection. Way to go monks – thanks for the sacrifice! No chicks for you, but at least you’ve got beer. (That’s been the life motto of a few of my friends).
