Due to the strict purity requirements, you can easily notice German beers by their overall level of quality. They have a defined taste, with little to no aftertaste. Some trends of German ale include Koelsch, Weizen, and Altbier. Some kinds of German lager beers include Bock, Pilsener, Dunkel, Helles, and Maerzen. Keep in mind that the taste, fragrance, and semblance can vary, although all can be noted as being legitimate German beers.

The German beer Altbier is a very standard dark ale, that is top fermented in the lower realms of Germany. The beer projects a yellow color, with a taste sensation that is rich in hops. Another ale, Rauchbier, is noted to have a robust flavor with a smoked coloring. These beers taste great, and happen to be very popular throughout the areas of Germany.

German lagers are also very popular, and happen to be popular in other areas of the world as well. Pilsener is one of the most popular and most familiar of all German beers, supplying you with more hops and less malt. Pilsener can be seen for sale all over the world, and happens to be very popular throughout North America as well. Some bars serve it as well, as it happens to be one of the most popular dark lagers out there.

Throughout Germany, there are several different companies, produce over 4,000 different brands of beers. Some of the more well known and larger companies of north Germany are Beck, St. Pauli, Warsteiner, and Krombach. In the southern region of Germany, there are more breweries, although most of them are smaller, as they are locally owned and operated. Southern Germany also contains the Benedictine Abbey, which is one of the oldest breweries in the world. This brewery started producing beer in 1040 – very impressive indeed!

Germany is also home to Oktoberfest, which is held every year in Munich. Oktoberfest starts in late September and carries on for two weeks, ending in early October. During Oktoberfest, beer drinkers from all over the world will travel to Germany and celebrate German beers. Each and every year, over 5 million people attend the event, making it one of the biggest beer celebrations in the world.

During Oktoberfest, local breweries in Munich are the only breweries allowed to serve beer in the bigger tents. There are six breweries in total, producing a variety of different beers. By attending this yearly event, you can learn more about German beer, sample the different varieties, and enjoy the rich bold flavors that make German beer so very popular.

Due to the success Oktoberfest gets each and every year, other cities around the world try and mimic this event. Even though they have success, their level of success isn’t near as much as the original Oktoberfest – Germany. German beers are very popular around the world, with Oktoberfest helping to prove that very claim. If you drink beer but have never experienced what beers from Germany have to offer, you really should give them a try. Once you do, you’ll quickly realize why German beers are so very popular – and why the taste simply can’t be duplicated with any other beer.

Servings: 8 servings, or two cups per person

4oz onions, chopped

4oz leeks, chopped

4oz celery, chopped

4oz parsnips, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

4oz clarified butter

4oz all purpose flour

3qts chicken stock

2lbs cheddar cheese, grated

8oz white wine

2T dry mustard

1pt heavy cream

Tabasco to taste

Worcestershire sauce, to taste

Salt and white pepper to taste

Sweat the onion, leek, celery, parsnips and garlic in butter til tender. Add flour and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock gradually, whipping to work out lumps. Simmer for 45 min on low heat. Add the cheese and wine (reserve 1oz to dilute mustard), and continue to heat the soup, do not boil. Combine the remaining wine and mustard, add this mixture along with the cream. Heat for 3 minutes. Season to taste with Tabasco, Worcestershire, and S&P.