Did you know?
- Germans are behind only the Czechs and the Irish when it comes to beer consumption, so you know it’s gotta be good. There are about 1300 breweries producing more than 5000 brands in Germany and strict production laws dating from 1516 mean only barley, hops and water are allowed (since it’s discovery, yeast can now be added too.)
- There’s a proper way of tasting German beer. First, choose your brand and open the bottle. While pouring the beer, listen to the mild flowing sounds. Pause, and inhale the magnificent bouquet of beer flavour. Now, you are ready to take the first sip – however, don’t gulp, but let the flavors of hops, barley, water and yeast flow slowly over your tongue. Notice that your first taste impression changes as the beer rolls from the tip to the back of your tongue.
- That beer makes you both funnier to your mates and more attractive to the opposite sex.
Berlin Bars and Beers Guide
PUBS
All over Berlin are a variety of rough pubs and ultra cool clubs, perfect for your mood or drinking wishes. For a near-dive, try Schoko-Loden in Mitte, at Ackerstr. 169 or August Fengler, Lychner Str. 11 in Prenzlauer Berg.
Looking for a cool chill-out? Head to Pfau, Bergmannstr. 88 in Kreuzberg or to Mitte’s Kula Karma, Rosenthaler Str. 36, for their relaxed atmosphere and cool cocktails.
Summer sees the emergence of beer gardens and beach bars. Check out the beer garden in Tiergarten, Café am Neuen See, Lichtensteinallee 1. And yes, there’s a beach, on the banks of the Spree River, visit the Berlin Beach Club, Leipziger Platz.
BEER
The most well-known brands include Beck’s, Krombacher, Veltins, Warsteiner and Bitburger. If you like wheat beer, look for a Weizen or Weizenbock type, while fans of dark lagers should key in on a Schwarzbier or Dunkel style.
A local wheat beer, Berliner Weisse is often drunk with the addition of fruit syrup. The alcohol content of German beer is usually between 4-5%, although Bockbier goes all the way up to 12%.
