studentsineurope

Bamberg: The Town of Breweries!

In typical German fashion, the town of Bamberg, located in Bavaria in the country’s east, is most famous for its beer. Not only does the town sport its own unique beer style but the colors and shapes provided by Bamberg’s architecture are a premium example of just how strong and detailed German architecture can be.

Situated on the Regnitz River, the town with a population that barely exceeds 70, 000 has a growing tourist pull and a substantial student population. In fact, thanks to a large presence of the United States Army, ten percent of the town’s entire population is made up of foreign nationals. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that the town has 9 fully operational breweries (with even more in the surrounding area) - a ridiculously high number for its size.

The beer that made Bamberg famous is Rauchbier, or smoked beer in English. This tasty concoction is produced by many of the local breweries and exported (or copied) to many destinations around the world. But, as is the case with many beers, the best taste comes from the point of origin for Rauchbier, the Bamberg breweries themselves. The flavor of this beer has to be compared to some overtones of smoky bacon. This may sound a little off-putting to some but flavored beers are becoming increasingly popular with honey, chocolate and cherry beers now not at all abnormal. And if so many people around the world agree that bacon makes everything better…and that beer makes everything better for that matter…how could you not try a delicious beverage that mixes the two?

As of 2009 the official breweries located with in the township of Bamberg are Brauerei Fässla, Brauerei Greifenklau, Brauerei Heller-Trum (Schlenkerla), Brauerei Kaiserdom, Keesmann Bräu, Klosterbräu, Mahrs Bräu, and Brauerei Spezial and the Ambräusianum – a more modern brewpub. Every local has his or her own favorite but anyone can point you in the right direction of the breweries if you ask. If there seems to be a language barrier then try the old beer drinking motion by swigging from an imaginary glass and I’m sure you will find your way.

After indulging in some tasty Rauchbier you simply must explore the town. Watching the typical German buildings hug the river as a multicolored front is well worth the short walk it takes to do a brief tour of the small town – it’s even worth braving Germany’s sometimes cold and unappealing winter weather. Heading up hill can take you up some walking tracks to some of the more impressive tourist attractions as well as help you reach some great viewpoints from which you can get a good look at Bamberg and try to pick out your next beer drinking destination.

Anyone traveling between Berlin and Munich will find Bamberg right in the way as you journey by train. If you can spare even just a few hours I highly recommend exploring the city and certainly tasting the unique smoked beer.