What makes the Walberfest so special? Sometimes, it’s not about the beer.

The Walberlafest is perhaps Germany's oldest spring festival. Set high on a hill called the Walberla, it is certainly the most atmospheric. Hike around it before ascending for the most dramatic entrance.

Staffelberg-Bräu Rogg Zwerchla

Staffelberg-Bräu Zwerchla is a surprisingly light and dry example of a Roggenbier with a refreshing fruity palate and lingering semi-bitter finish.

bike path, dark beer, view of a river from a hill

A Prime Passage to Prösslbräu

The Naabtal is a gorgeous lush valley with tons of hiking and biking opportunities. It is also dotted with quite a few great breweries so it's a prime beer hiking region. I met up with Prime Passages founder Kevin Holsapple for a hike from Pielenhofen to Adlersberg. Of course, Prösslbräu was our beery destination. Their Palmator was a just reward.

Weiherer Zwickerla Dunkel

Weiherer is a great brewery with both traditional and craft beer offerings. Their Zwickerla Dunkel dry fruity beer with a lingering bitter finish.

Dinkel Hausmasdä Pils

Dinkel Hausmasdä Pils is a balanced Keller Pils with a firm hoppy palate and semi-bitter finish.

Staffelberg-Bräu Zwergator

Staffelberg-Bräu Zwergator is a richly malty dark Doppelbock with some caramel and a lingering finish.

Catching up with old friends & new Bocks on the 13-Brewery Trail

The Bamberg Countryside Breweries Experience and Brewing Heartland Experience are two great walking tours which take you off the beaten path and out into the beautiful Franconian countryside. You can be sure to drink beers you will never find back home and eat the local delicacies.

mass krugs badly filled

The Myth of the Mass at Oktoberfest 2022

The Oktoberfest isn't a cheap outing but it is generally once in a lifetime. Beer prices have steadily risen since the 1970s and it's no surprise that after a two year hiatus, that prices are at an all time high. Perhaps that's fair enough but sadly, even though you pay for a Mass (a full liter), your rarely receive one.

Kaufbeuren Zoigl

Kaufbeuren Zoigl may not be an Echte Zoigl but it's sure a tasty one nonetheless and is the closest example to Munich.

Zoigl in the Allgäu. Why not?

Zoigl is more of a beer culture than a style. While largely confined to a few select areas in northern Bavaria, there is one very interesting example in the Allgäu region. Kaubeuren Zoigl Ludwigstrasse 47 has all the right ingredients and is well worth exploring if in the area.