I have fallen down on the job, dear readers. There was an important event here in Munich yesterday, and I failed to attend it. From what I hear it was magical. OK, it was free beer. Helles, dunkles, and weißbier, free-flowing and plentiful from the beer fountain, at least for a couple hours in the late morning. Apparently this Tag des Bieres (Beer Day) happens every April 23rd, in celebration of the Reinheitsgebote from 1516 (German beer purity laws, apparently the most important laws ever passed in the history of this country). I have marked my calendar for next year.
I did, however, get a chance to celebrate Beer Day by ordering from Park Cafe’s special Beer Day Menu of beer cocktails. I had a weißbier mojito. It wasn’t as bad of an idea as Em‘s Goaß (kirschwasser, beer, and cola) or the terrifyingly-blue Isarwasser (blue curacao, apple juice, and weißbier) that was being consumed at the next table. But you probably won’t see me splashing weißbier into my mojito again any time soon, on Beer Day or any other day.
welcome back jul! you have been missed.
i dunno – a good beer stands by itself as a good scotch whiskey does – why add anything else?
in this area people drink red beer which is tomato juice and beer – however given the poor quality of mass manufactured american beers, the tomato juice does improve the flavor…
Thanks, Deborah. It’s good to be back. 🙂
I have never heard of mixing tomato juice and beer before. I can’t decide if I’m disgusted or if I want to try it.
If you have never heard of mixing tomato juice and beer before, than you have never been to Wisconsin
“If you have never heard of mixing tomato juice and beer before, than you have never been to Wisconsin”
Exactly! My mother used to drink beer with tomato juice all the time. Yuck!
Ah, Beer Day…I can taste it now…gotta love a country that celebrates the day a ‘purity’ law was passed. I’ve marked my calendar for next year.
And yes, the tomato juice does mask the taste of the beer, best way to drink Bud in my opinion.
I remember being in Munich and having non stop beer. I so much rather have the beer there, than in central america. In costa rica they drink it with ice. It’s already light enough, but then add ice and it’s all bad. in mexico they put salt in it. not sure about that one, cause my preference are sweet beers.
Beer cocktails on a day celebrating the Reinheitsgebot? Isn’t it ironic?
I totally agree with you, corregio. what i ordered should have been punishable under the beer purity laws.
You’ve sniffed out my secret: I have indeed never been to Wisconsin. But if I ever do make it there, the first thing I’m ordering is a beer and tomato juice so I can blend in with the locals.
I’m also intrigued by this salty Mexican beer…
Then you guys have to come to Mexico, actually. Since Mexico is the biggie of the the Latin (Central American) countries, all the smaller countries serve similar versions of it. And if you really wanna go nuts! Ask for chili powder too:)
Mmmm, I love spicy drinks. Definitely have to ask for that on my next trip to Mexico.
actually beer + tomato juice is refreshing. it serves a purpose – you can drink quite a bit on little money.
on beer + salt – my fav way to drink coronas is: take a cold mug, run a lime slice on the edge, gently dip into kosher salt, squeeze the lime into the glass & carefully pour the beer into the mug, not coming into contact with the salt or it foams all over the place. drink after a day of outside work in 104 temps…..
For spice drinks, I’ll stick to bloody mary’s. they are just soooooo yummy!
Hello, I just returned from a 5 day bender in Munich with my brother–he flew in from the States and I from St. Pete, Russia. I have been “hajjing” to Munich now for 10 years!
Would love to have an Augustiner with you sometime there. If you ever get to St. Pete, give me a shout.
Brian