Posted on 08/30/2009 10:52:51 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Yesterday I wrote a piece for my host paper here in Berlin, der Tagesspiegel, defending American beer. Needless to say, the reaction from commenters has been swift and harsh. But because it's in German, I'm really only seeing half the debate. What do Americans think about German beer? And what do readers think about the piece? Remember, it's for a German audience, but I hope the arguments can get some discussion going.
Read the piece in translation below; read it in the original German here. Dish water. Piss. A joke. There are a lot of stereotypes about American beer here in Germany. And these stereotypes aren't completely wrong: Budweiser, Miller, Coors--the USA manufactures a lot of famous, awful beers.
But the market is changing: Since the late 1980s you can find more and more small, fantastic American breweries. Dogfish Head, from Deleware, for example, is famous for its so-called "extreme beers" brewed with raisins or aged in oak barrels. These "micro breweries" or "craft brewers" only have around five percent of the market, but they nevertheless have a big influence. As an answer to these challengers the big firms are making better and better beers--Coors produces Blue Moon, a wheat beer, and Anheuser-Busch has brought Stone Mill, an organic pale ale, to the market.
In comparison, the German beer market seems a little boring to Americans. It's true that Germany produces Schneider, Weihenstephaner, Andechs, and Schlenkerla. But how often are these beers consumed? Becks, Sternburg, Flensburg, and others are the most-consumed beer brands in Germany, and they are hardly better than Coors or Miller.
(Excerpt) Read more at food.theatlantic.com ...
I was stationed in Germany in 1970.. THEN they had the best beer in the world.. DINKILAAKER. One mug would put you on your butt and it was just the best tasting beer ever.
Since then German taste in beer has become Americanized.. pu—y beer. The only beer in the states worth drinking is Yuengling.
Want really good beer.. Go to Prague or maybe Bucharest Romania and get some Ursus.. or even better to Moldova and get a mug of Chisinau Blonde.
Negative, Sergeant Major, I lived not far from Pioneer Kaserne and bought Licher by the case (sometimes had to drive to Rhein-Main to find it).
However, our B Co was located just outside Buedingen. Flew the entire 3rd AD sector while I was there.
Most of the local Bier-Stuebe were just down the street in Gross-Auheim. There, it was “Bitte ein Bit!” from the tap.
I was stationed in KG 65-68 and again 81-84. Right around the corner from Lich. Used to get it delivered by the case to my doorstep just like the milkmen used to do here.
You’re right. I’d stack Kosmos Spötzle’s best up against Beck’s or Bitberger any day.
While I enjoy German beer, one factor that many people don’t consider is freshness. Ale is alive; while helles or pilsner beers are mostly bottom-fermented and filtered, real top-fermented ales and some beers have living yeast cultures that die off over time. In addition, all beers are susceptible to chemical changes over time, especially if exposed to light and/or heat. This aging results in the well-known “skunky” taste of old beer.
As a result, even the best foreign brews often suffer from shipping and storage prior to reaching the bar. No matter how good a beer may be, it’s not going to taste right after sitting on a loading dock in Bayonne. New Jersey for a week.
This is why I drink the local suds. The best ales and beers in the world are brewed locally, with local water, and locally-grown ingredients; they also have unique and subtle flavors imparted by the local microorganisms, especially in the top-fermented types. Here in Tarrant County, Texas, the beers produced by Rahr Brewery in Fort Worth are my tipples of choice. Sure, I’ve had better, but none fresher; if fact, I’ve drunk many a pint of Rahr lager while sitting next to the tank from which it was drawn. (They have regular tastings on Saturdays.) And for once the so-called “three-tier” system of monopolized beer distribution here in Texas works for me: since the gangsters from the big distros won’t allow Rahr to go statewide (it might compete with the pisswater they sell), we in North Texas get it all to ourselves. And, as you mentioned, we still have Shiner, which still produces excellent brew despite the fact that it’s nationally distributed. I like their Bock quite a bit, and that “99” helles they brewed last year was excellent by any standard. (Even Shiner Light is good — it’s the only light beer I’ve ever had that doesn’t taste like pure donkey piss. I do miss the original Shiner beer, though.)
Anyway, I could go on for hours about beer. Although I no longer drink much beer (I’m of middle age), I still love it, and as a Texan of German heritage I love the culture and tradition that goes with it as well. Germany still produces many fine beers (I must admit I like export Warsteiner), but my favorire foreign brew is Czechvar pilsener, aka “Budevar”, from the Czech Republic.
If I’m going to drink a beer by itself and savor every drop, I wan’t either a very dark stout, or a very hoppy IPA. With high alcohol content. If that can’t be had, then I’ll settle for a sam adams summer ale.
But if I’m drinking a beer along with food and I want to savor every bite of my food, I don’t want beer like that. I want a very light pilsner, very mild alcohol content and very mild flavor.
Love New Belgium. I don’t know where you live, but where I live, my local grocery store is starting to sell Fat Tire in cans. Still not sure what to think of that.
You’ve got bad supermarkets. Here in Tucson at every grocery store I walk into the good beer section is bigger than the undrinkable big brand/ swill section by at least 50% usually they’re twice the size. And frequently there’s a physical separation between the two coolers, so you know when to turn around and browse back.
You know now that you mention it, I can make that pic a permanent fixture in the Beer Ping list every time I ping the list. Thanks for that suggestion.
I just might have to see if Shiner Bock meets that litmus test, although my Idaho taste buds may not be able to handle it.
Personally, I really get tired of beer snobs, no matter the nationality. It’s about what YOU like, not someone’s opinion of what they think you should like.
I beg to differ. Italian beer is without a doubt the worst swill I have ever attempted to swallow.
But on a hot day it is still magnificent.
“I can make that pic a permanent fixture in the Beer Ping list every time I ping the list. Thanks for that suggestion.”
Cuz nothing goes with beer like jugs!
I'm a fan of fresh Bavarian bier, brewed in the USA. As long as Uli is still in charge this will remain one of the best domestic beers.
King Ludwig Dark is an awesome beer!
Yup!! Even if it is named after a lunatic. Kaltenberg Brewery produces sehr gut bier.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.