There might possibly be a tiny element of overrating Bamberg's beers just because of its novelty and the fact that Franconia is surrounded by a sea of beery mediocrity. I've never found Fassla's beers, for example, to be that exciting, and I don't really go for Rauchbier.
The finest beer in Bamberg for me can be found at the Wilde Rose Keller, up a hill behind the Altstadt.
The climb is worth it and will build up your thirst to a mad frenzy.
The beer garden is fenced around so there's no view to be had, but the beer more than makes up for that, mercifully free of the Rauch taste.
If you want a view of Bamberg then you need to head back down the hill, turn right, and then a nice stroll will dump you at the entance to Spezial Keller.
Here I don't like the beer that much but the view makes up for it. If they could only combine their beer garden with Wilde Rose Keller's beer surely they'd have the finest beer garden imaginable.
I also like the beer at Wilde Rose Keller. Nobody seems to be really sure who brews it for them but popular opinion seems to be that it's Mahrs. However, I love the atmosphere, especially when they've got live music going on. As far as Spezial goes.
ReplyDeleteGreat view, beautiful keller but I'm not a massive fan of their Rauchbier lager. The Spezial U on the other hand is my personal favorite beer of Bamberg.
You're right the city has been blogged to death. However, it's repuation is well deserved IMO. It's not just the breweries themselves but the many good beer bars like Cafe Abseits, Stohrenkeller, etc. and the overall atmosphere of the place that really rounds it out. You've really got to spend a whole long weekend there sometime to really take it in. Also the piles of countryside breweries and kellers within easy reach of the place doesn't hurt.
I'm jealous that you live about a 2-3 hour train ride away. But July is coming and I'll be back.
I've only scratched the surface so far, even with 4 or 5 visits - will check out Abseits next time.
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