May,
2002 Monthly Newsletter
Prost! - Types of German Beers
German beer - let's admit, it's one of the finest tasting beers you can drink. German breweries are pretty secretive about their "how tos". They all seem to claim it's in the water. Surely, there's some truth to that, but what really gives the beer it's great flavor is the hops which is traded as seriously as grapes for wine makers.
Most German beers are winners, because all are vegan (no animal products are used). Bavarian purity laws limit them to four ingredients only: water, grain, hops and yeast. Real German beer is also not pasteurized as many American beers are, which allows for being able to taste the beer's real flavor.
Below is listed some of the different types of German beers typically found in Bavaria and what you can expect should you order one of these types.
Ein
"Helles", bitte ( A lite beer)
The standard light beer, when you order a "Helles" in a pub
or restaurant you'll most likely end up with a pint. Depending on the
brewer it can be quite refreshing. Some beer gardens have responded
to the public's outcry for smaller quantities and now also offer them
outdoors, the "real" beer garden only serves the "Maß"
(one quart). By the way, this precise nation has laws governing the
quantity of liquids served to the public, that is why you will find
level markers on each glass. If your Maaß looks like it is not
quite 1 liter after the foam settles, just go back and ask for "bitte
nachschenken". The man at the keg will be impressed that you know
your way around.
Ein
"Pils" (A Pilsener)
If you like a more bitter and less malty taste try the pils which is
also called pilsener. You can order them in restaurants and special
pils bars. Take a closer look at the time consuming process of serving
a foam crowned pils with perfection. You will see dozens of glasses
filled with foam only, waiting to settle. It can take a good quarter
of an hour for the foam refills to turn into the golden liquid.
Ein
"Dunkeles" (A dark beer)
Against popular beliefs it is not the most powerful in alcohol contents.
It is basically a lager bottom brewed beer containing "toasted"
malt.
Ein
"Weissbier" (A white beer)
A very good idea when the sun is shining and you prefer being refreshed
by a lighter tasting beer. Weizen means wheat, often called a Weissbier
(white), and is served in tall and elegant 1/2 liter glasses. But beware
of its "light" character, it is the strongest in alcohol.
While some will serve it with a slice of lemon, do not put one in your
Hefe (yeast) Weissbier. The Hefeweissbier comes only in bottles, a professional
will wet the glass and pour the bottle at a steep angle. With the foam
that remains at the bottom of the bottle he will collect the yeast (swirling
action) and add it to your beer.
Ein
Bock und Doppelbock (A Bock beer)
Bock is term used for a stronger beer (doppel meaning double even more
so). Fasting monks found an ingenious way of compensating the lack of
food - they started brewing very strong beers. March and October are
the two most prominent seasons for brewing these special beers.
|
Prost! |
