Lower Franconia is a lovely bucolic area dotted with small hamlets and a surprising number of regional breweries not to be missed by the intrepid beerwanderer. This details a road trip to Strecks Brauhaus in Ostheim, Rother-Bräu in Roth, Pax-Bräu in Oberelsbach and the Wittelsbacker Turm Bräu at its namesake tower.
Schlenkerla is the most renowned of Rauchbier/Smoke beer breweries. Town rival Spezial is the 2nd most famous but many feel it's better. This is a comparison of the special unfiltered version of Schlenkerla Lager vs Spezial Ungespundet
Klosterbräu Maibock is a richly malty amber Bock with some apricot in the nose and a moreishly dry lingering semi-bitter finish.
Will-Bräu Hefe Weizen is a fairly dry for the style fruity wheat beer with a refreshingly fruity palate and lingering finish.
StoXBräu Blonder Bock is a high gravity affair strong on malt and alcohol but a bit one dimensional on flavor.
Raab Frangn Seidla is an unfiltered Vollbier with a dry fruity palate and a moreishly dry finish.
Will-Bräu Ehrenberger Pilgerstoff is richly malty Märzen with some spice and roast in both the nose and palate. The lingering finish is semi-dry and bittersweet.
Will-Bräu Helles is a textbook malt forward session beer with a grainy nose and palate before a clean, semi-dry, semi-bitter finish.
Sauer Frühlings Märzen is a dry-hopped spring special featuring a dry fruity palate and clean semi-dry finish.
Wittelsbacher Turm Bräu Vollbier was a gorgeous looking beer marred by diacetyl the day I sampled it on tap at the brewery.
