Lyon

France isn't one of the traditional European beer countries, nor is it one of the countries you associate with the new wave of craft brewing. However, there are a lot of seriously good brews around, although not many of them make it out of France. Where a decent French brew isn't available, you can very often get your mits on a Belgian brew of sorts, although it will usually be one of the "toned down for international consumption" types, such as Leffe, Hoegaarden, Grimbergen etc. Although Germany is considered a beer country and France isn't, I know which one I'd rather live in if availablilty of decent beer was the prime factor. Or just about any other factor actually.

Ninkasi is the nearest thing that beer drinkers have to a Goddess...

It's also the name adopted by an awesome Lyon microbrewery. Their bottles boast about winning some award or other, and when you taste them then you will feel like giving the judges a pat on the back. I managed to try the pale ale and the white, and they were both amongst the best of the style I've had. I didn't make it to their range of brewpubs across town as I'm here with non-beer drinkers, but luckily you can get if from supermarkets everywhere. Oh boy, if only I could get beer like this from Munich supermarkets.

They make a large range including an IPA and a Scotch Ale, and I was so tempted to buy a load and bring them back but my backpack would have burst under the strain.

Brasserie Georges is a brewery cum restaurant set in an awesome old building. They brew a range of beers including a decent Saison...

It didn't quite have the character of some Saisons I've had, but having said that the place is mainly a restaurant, although the food's pretty shit.

There's a funky Belgian beer bar in the old town, although shamefully I didn't get the name. They've got a decent range including McChouffe and Duchess de Bourgogne...

I opted for a Kwak, and they were authentic enough to have the correct cool glass...

I'm not quite sure how practical those glasses would be after ten of them...