Posts Tagged ‘beer’

Beer

Monday, November 10th, 2014

What would you do if you found that ordering the beer on the menu was cheaper than ordering the water?

Yep that’s my latest dilemma here in Prague, Cz.

Where as Belgium makes the most types of beer, and Germany makes the most quantity of beer, it’s the Czechs that consume the most beer. Each Czech (of all ages) consumes 1.5 liter of beer per day!

And it all started in the neighborhood of Plzen, where making the yellow fizzy stuff spread worldwide. A popular brand here is Budweiser. The Czechs say they had the name first. Many lawyers later, the Czech brand can be sold in Europe, China, and Africa, but in America it’s sold as “Czechvar”.

Only one brand is sold at any one pub, and it’s not common to bar hope. They relate it to being faithful to one woman.

And I’m too cheap, I drink the beer!

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When in Germany!

Sunday, September 21st, 2014

DSC02371The Oktoberfest is a celebration of a marriage that took place long ago (Hapsburg I believe) and was such a success, that they still celebrate it today.

It begins the third Saturday in Sept. and goes until the first Sunday in October. A mere two weeks for 6 million people to flood into Munich.

They ALL wear their native dress and arrive super early for a beer that can’t be served until the Mayor taps the first keg at 11a.m. But you have to do that in order to get a seat in one of the huge beer halls (like 6-10,000 folk in each!)

The waitress’ have arms of steel as they carry 10-12 steins at a time, then get back in line to get another batch. The food is brats and sauerkraut and of course PRETZELS.

It takes place on a huge fairgrounds with all the rides and carnival games and carnival food. Everyone mingles, and enjoys the Umpah bands. It was a great time! (no entry fee, just $10 a beer)

Practice, Practice, Practice

Sunday, September 21st, 2014

We are on the eve of the opening day of the Oktoberfest! Tho’ it had never been on my bucket list, when the planets and the calendar, and the precious moments align, then you just gotta do it!

I am not a beer drinker, but I’m an eager student. My beverage of choice still isn’t hard-core as I order a Radler (beer and lemonade). It suits me just fine. It is also a fine drink to build up wrist muscles…those steins weigh a ton. I am more concerned about knocking out my front teeth with it.

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Enjoying New Beers

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

This is a contribution from Steve (via Andy).

Moorhouses White Witch and Timothy Taylor Landlord

Moorhouses White Witch and Timothy Taylor Landlord

Bowland Hen Harrier

Bowland Hen Harrier

Eyes Bigger Than My Stomach

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Moderation…moderation…yeah right! The food has been delicious and photogenic and abundant. AND the staff can’t do enough for us, even turning down our beds and putting a chocolate on our pillows. We haven’t spent much time in the bar because the wine flows in the dining room and the walls are of glass and look out on incredible vistas.

We’ve tried all the German food; more sausage than in my whole entire life time, and Steve is in ‘hog-heaven’ with all the sauerkraut.

This is also beer country, and yesterday we tasted suds from the oldest brewery in Germany at Kelheim Abbey. The monks have been making this award winning brew since 1050 a.d. I hope they blessed the calories out of it.

Kopnhavn

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

littlemermaidbottlecollectonWe said our good-byes to Copenhagen: the Little Mermaid, Tivoli ,canal tour, and the Imperial Hotel, but not without a stop at the Carlsberg Brewery Tour! Yum, beer at 10 am!

It really was fascinating, and they are quite a world-player in the world of beer.  They are the 4th largest worldwide and they own Newcastle, Elephant, San Miguel, Tuborg and many others I have never been around.  The picture of the largest bottle breitling replica collection in the world, over 18,000 unopened, of one brand thru the years.  All different and all full and dusty.  How about that as a challenge for a new hobby? Some of us liked this experience alot!!!

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This One’s For Andy

Friday, June 12th, 2009

beer1

munichbeardAll business, banks, stores were CLOSED in Munich for the holiday.  We wandered from our hotel to Marienplatz to see the street scene which was alive with street muscians and the glockenspiel played at 5pm. 

But the real attraction was our pilgrimage to the Hofbräuhaus! So yes, I had to lift a stein also, as we toasted Andy!  Prost!! 

The costumes, the umpah band, the bratwurtz, pretzels, mustard, and the boistrous crowds. That was Munich !!

 

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Moooo…ving On

Friday, June 5th, 2009

cowbellSay “cheeeeeese!”

We found it, in the middle of no where – the Emmental Cheese Factory!  It is a beautiful alpine factory sitting atop a large green pasture and it was quite an education. 

The cows drop off their milk, some enzymes are added, it curdles and it pressed into molds, and aged, and aged.   Bubbles in the curing process seek to escape, and  wa la….swiss cheese (soundscheesetank like Steve)!

We are in Garmisch, Germany now.  Tomorrow we visit King Ludwig II’s crazy castle (think Disneyland on a mountain peak).

Then on to Salzburg.  Mozart, Sound of Music, struedal and beer? We will find out!