Lord of the Beers - Part I Bavarian Fellowship

Greece is suffering the tyranny of a multinational brewery’s monopoly that makes it impossible to buy and enjoy beer at reasonable prices. They use whatever means possible to keep us in the dark. They monopolise the market with cheap lager beer. However a small group of people, an undercover organization secretly works its way through the internet. Our aim is to provide information to the People, on how things work abroad. In order to achieve our aim we will travel to Munich, where our liaison will guide us into the heart of Bavarian Breweries. Our journey, our Holy Mission, will take us to Belgium and France as well.

It’s a cold November night in Athens. Me and my partner Quadrupelius are trying to get some sleep, but the anxiety for our mission makes it impossible. Early in the morning we are flying to Munich. Our flight leaves on time and we are scheduled to arrive at 8.20. Indeed after a 3-hour flight over the Adriatic and the Alps we land in Munich. We are faced with fierce weather conditions, but we are determined to overcome every obstacle. Everything is covered in snow, and the temperature is -5C. As we exit the terminal, snowflakes give us a chilling welcome. We quickly make our way in the rail station. Our liaison Kathi is waiting for us in Pier 2.

We take the first train into Munich and head to the City Centre for a Bavarian Breakfast. Our first stop is the DER PSCHORR brewery, which is located in the historical city center directly at the famous Viktualienmarkt. Now ours hearts are beating faster than before. We walk through the heavy wooden gates of the building and help ourselves to a cozy table next to the staircase and opposite the bar.

Kathi helps us with our order as our German is a bit ‘rusty’ at the least. Suddenly I realize Quadrupelius is looking at the Menu, he is still, like he is not breathing. Not a reaction I would expect. I ask what the matter is but instead of an answer, he passes me the menu, pointing at the prices….3.70€ for a half a litter Weiss. In Munich, I might add, where the average wage for workers is 19€/hour.

That’s a fact for all of us back home to take into account next time they ask you for 6-8€ for the same amount of Weiss. You don’t have to make a fuss about it, simply inform the waiter that the price is outrageous and the only reason you are there is, because our great government is unable to imply anti-monopoly rules and regulations, in any other case they would face great fines for profiteering.

Two hours later, and after having consumed some of the finest Bavarian white sausages with mustard-honey sauce and a couple of Weiss beers, we decide to make a tour of the City. We walk through magnificent parks, beautiful squares and lovely markets for hours. Hunger strikes once again.

This time we are heading to Augustiner Keller in Arnulfstrasse 52. Although the garden is a perfect place to dine in spring, the cold is prohibiting, and at a -8 temperature our beer would be more than chilling cold. We order a platter with a variety of sausages and some Weiss beers and enjoy the warm environment and the excellent service of this traditional Bavarian restaurant.

After a long day a good night sleep would seem perfect. However Kathi is determined to spoil us even more. As she parks the car, she asks for some help with the groceries. To our great surprise she has bought for as a 24 bottle case with a variety of beers. Now, would you pass on a chance to taste some more beers? We didn’t. We tasted, Andechser Hell and Andechser Dunkel brewed at the ‘‘Holy Mountain’’ above the eastern shore of Lake Ammersee in the middle of Upper Bavaria’s Five-Lakes Region, Andechs Monastery. Then we moved on to tasting an Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell and an Augustiner Bräu Edelstoff, from Kellerareal at the Landsberger Strafe, where Augustiner Brewery stands since 1885. It is worth mentioning that the brewing water, which has outstanding drinking quality, is pumped up from a firm-own well at a depth of 230 m. and becomes the principal elements of those fine beers. I definitely remember at that point moving into my sleeping bag and fading out to a wonderful nirvana never experienced before.

The morning after, we woke up craving for a delicious Bavarian-style breakfast. The snow-covered Munich, covered in partial sunlight this time was even more beautiful. Kathi was kind enough to escort as to Hofbräuhaus. What a better way to start your day with a 1lt of Hofbräu Weiss (6.90€) and 2 original Munich veal sausages from the HB butchery escorted by an oven-fresh pretzel and sweet mustard. Having enjoyed and tasted many different beers, a tour of the city and the exceptional hospitality and company of our liaison, Kathi, we make our way to the Airport. Our mission is not over yet, and our journey continues to Belgium where we will visit the Halve Mann Brewery.