Hofbräu Original
Type: Lager
ABV: 5.1%
Location: Germany (consumed in Berlin, produced in Munich
Das ist gut ya? Wunderbar
What do you do when you are in Germany? Make your way to a good old fashioned German beer house (or Bierhaus). We made our way, led by our fearless tour leader, to the Hofbräu haus for some pork knuckle, sauerkraut and the haus beir, you guessed it Hofbräu. In Germany, well in most of Europe really, they don’t mess around with their beer drinking. Beers can be purchased by the litre. The smallest size purchasable off tap is ½ a litre, which bigger than two out of the sizes available in Australia (larger than the schooner – which varies depending upon state and the pot).
Feeling in my element I ordered my litre of Hofbräu. It was brought to me by a barmaid in traditional bar wench attire. The bar staff at the Hofbräu haus have phenomenal poise, balance and strength, often carrying 6 Litres of beer in a trip (without tripping).
The beer itself pours a bright golden colour with a midsized white head. The aroma is non-offensive; unless you go looking (or sniffing?) you won’t find it. It has a gentle clean aroma with slight grassy and bready tones. A very much earthly feel. Light body with mid-levels of carbonation. A good well-rounded beer that is subtle enough for average Joe, but flavoursome enough to satisfy the connoisseurs out there.
An easy beer to drink and it left me wanting more, so naturally I order another one. No sooner had I ordered, our guide came around an informed our group that we were leaving in 10 minutes. The challenge had been set. I wasn’t going to let it win. This litre of Hofbräu was going down… my throat. 5 minutes a 1 Litre of beer later, I was quite proud with myself, went for the ol glass clink. PROST!... and missed. The beer had impeded upon my coordination. The heavy bottom of my stein collided with the top of a mate’s stein, cracking their stein and sending glass shards flying. Time to go I think.