Stand up, Raise your Glass… Twice

Cheering like the locals can become quite an exercise in Belgium where it is considered polite to stand  – in Brussels – or to raise your glass twice – in Flanders.
Belgium is a mecca for beer enthusiasts: The small country is dotted with breweries whose traditions go back hundreds of years. Belgian styles are anything but boring – try wild and funky lambics, seasonal farmhouse saison beers, and strong ales made in monasteries.
And when in Belgium, you get to try specialty Trappist beers produced just for local consumption. 

Visiting Belgium is a pilgrimage for beer enthusiasts! 

Prost, Sister Brewmaster!

Germany is full of surprises, especially when it comes to beer!
Homeland to the Reinheitsgebot, Germany is also synonymous with a tradition to “trink Bier von hier”, a beloved tradition that dates back even further. Germans prefer their local brews and if a beer can’t be properly poured in the right glass for the style or brand, than it usually doesn’t get poured at all. Jawohl!
Brewmasters in Germany come from all walks of life, including Sister Doris, a beloved nun and respected expert in Bavaria. Speaking of women brewers, the German gals take the lead on this expertise and blow the other countries out of the water!

What’s your Lieblings-Bier? 

Beer for Breakfast, Amigos?

Cerveza Artesanal Españalo is a must-try! There are close to 1,000 microbreweries aka Microvercecería in Spain, some dating back hundreds of years! The majority, despite hardly being known outside the country, are well established and regionally cherished. New places are always popping up, too. It’s always fun to be one of the first people to check out a new hot spot.

Sample traditional beers that you can’t get in the USA, or try creative takes on brews with sea water or even anchovies as the featured ingredient!

If Spanish craft beer alone wasn’t tempting enough – Iberian brews are never served alone. Luckily, a tasty Tapa, a Pintxo iN Basque Country where people cheer saying “Topa!” or, like in Granada, a full-sized appetizer accompanies each pour.

And Sì, it’s quite common to have a beer with breakfast, although not as common as red wine.

Some Jamón Ibérico with your Sackman cerveza in Madrid?

Santé: From Mont Blanc to Côte d’Azure

Mais oui, France is home to the most Michelin-star restaurants, Chablis, Bourdeaux & Co, but also boasts a wide selection of Bière Artisanale Française. Last, but not least, the Brasserie is where the French head for happy hour and a good simple meal.

Discovering craft beer in France is a never-ending adventure, taking you away from the beaten path and into small(er) villages of the less touristy neighborhoods of Paris, Marseille and Lyon. The French don’t talk much about their craft beer, but they sure drink a lot of it – even on top of the Mont Blanc. But that’s a longer story…

Blonde or Amber? Which one do you like?