Is Franconia in Bavaria? The simple answer is no but as with all complicated things, it's never so easy to explain. Häffner-Bräu is located in spa town Bad Rappenau, which is part of Heilbronn-Franken in Baden-Württemberg. The brewery hotel offers warm meals at lunch and dinner along with a full complement of their beers on tap.
Spielbach is home to the legendary Gold-Ochsenbrauerei, a country gem of a pub which is tough to get to without a car. That is unless you want to hike from Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This lovely six mile hike through forests and on country roads takes you home, and to a great beery experience.
Ehingen is an unassuming town in Baden Wüttemberg, not too far south of Ulm. It is also known as the Beer Culture City and along with five breweries, they have a 14km hiking trail which connects them. Beer Hiking in Baden Württemberg? Why not. It's one of the oldest beer hiking trails in Germany and the best in Baden Württemberg. But what is the best beer on the hike? Read to find out.
Franken Florinator is a richly malty Doppelbock with hint of burnt caramel and a lingering somewhat sticky finish.
Brauerei Spall lies in an area of Baden-Württemberg which once was part of Franconia. The small redbrick building still features copper kettles and the restaurant, Gaststätte Ochsen serves fine meals as well as the local Spall beer. Best reached by car, it is accessible by public transportation.
Franken BräuHohenloher Schlitzohr Dunkel a good example Franconian dark beer with some roast and caramel intermingling in both the nose and palate. The lingering finish is just dry enough and somewhat bittersweet.
Franken Bräu Kellerbier is lightly grainy dry balanced brew with a lingering, semi-dry, semi-bitter finish.
Franken Bräu Spezial is a rich well-balanced brew with a pleasant grainy palate and just enough hops to make for a semi-dry semi-bitter finish.
Herbsthausen lies in the Main-Tauber valley of Franconian Baden-Württemberg. The landscape is one of rolling hills so unsurprisingly, there are plenty of hiking/biking trails including the Herbsthäuser Bierwanderweg which conveniently passes by the local Herbsthäuser Brauerei.
Herbsthäuser Edel Pils is a clean dry hoppy Pils with a nice bitter finish.
