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Cuisine |
A
beer...
This is also true of drinking habits in the various parts of Germany:
in general, but especially in north Germany, the light Pilsener with
little hops is favoured. Even in Dortmund it has displaced the classic
export beer. An amber coloured Alt (a top-fermented dark beer) is
popular in D?sseldorf and in the Lower Rhine valleys. In Cologne people
drink the light yellow K?lsch which is brewed with lots of hops and
served in "Stangen" (straight, narrow glasses). Further
down south a lager with more malt is dominant. This is also the home
of the "white beer", (a light, highly effervescent, top-fermented
beer), slightly cloudy due to the yeast. Under the name "Weizen"
it is rapidly gaining friends further north.
The black beer, served in an elegant tulip glass, is starting to regain
its former popularity. This very old beer is mainly brewed in the
regions of the former East Germany - in Thuringia and Saxony, as well
as in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. An unbroken tradition, however, is enjoyed
by the Rauchbier (smoked beer) which is brewed in Bamberg. It has
a unique ham flavour because the malt that is used is dried over an
open fire.
Weihenstephan, the world's oldest brewery, is located in Freising,
a town near Munich. As early as 1040 monks were brewing beer in Weihenstephan.
But for special occasions the dukes of Bavaria ordered Bock beer (strong
beer) from Einbeck near Hannover. Even today it's the tradition in
Munich to open the strong beer season with a specially brewed Doppelbock
(extra strong beer).
Extremely light, on the other hand, is the Berliner Wei?e (a lager)
which is sweetened with woodruff or raspberry syrup. It glows either
green or red in a stemmed ball-shaped glass. However, if you want
something less intoxicating - why not take a "Radler" or
"Alster Wasser" (types of shandy in the south and north
respectively)? This is a fifty-fifty combination of beer and lemonade.
It is deliciously refreshing and guarantees you can drink more. Up
until 1993 these drinks were not allowed to be pre-mixed prior to
serving. But now you can get them in bottles just like "Diesel"
(beer with cola). |
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