German beverages

German beer,
wine & more
 

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Beer
Wine
Other alcoholic beverages
Hot beverages

German beer

Categories

Germany has many beers and beer categories. One popular way to classify the so called normal brewed beers is into the two categories: dunkels (dark colored) and helles (light colored); however, beers cover the full spectrum between these two extremes.

Dunkels

In most instances, dunkels beers are on the sweet, full side and have a low hop content.

Helles

The helles beers have a higher hop content and, therefore, are slightly more bitter in flavor.

Other beer types

The non-normal brewed beers include the dark, sweet, low alcoholic Malzbier (malt beers) and the wheat beers such as Berliner Weisse (traditionally spiked with raspberry syrup).

Other classifications

German beers may also be classified by their origin, their alcoholic strength, whether they are top or bottom fermented, and their method and duration of storage (lager means "stored").

Serving temperature

Remember that the proper serving temperature is warmer than American, colder than English.

German wine

Provenance

Most of the wine is produced in the southwestern part of West Germany, and it is predominantly white (the red grapes tend not to fare well in this northern climate).

Sweetness

This white wine, some of the best in the world, is usually on the sweet side, and consequently is more suited for sipping between, rather than during, meals - and that is exactly how most wine is consumed in Germany.

Bouquet

Another major characteristic of German white wine is its pleasing flowery bouquet.

Internationally famous wines

Liebfraumilch, Moselblumchen, and Zeller Schwarze Katz are the German white wines known and consumed in great quantities around the world. Yet, with rare exception, these wines are ordinary.

Germany's finest

To taste those that have given Germany its stellar wine growing reputation, one must seek out top rated Rheingau vineyards such as Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Vollrads (in Winkel), and Steinberg (in Hattenheim); or the equally superb Mosel vineyards such as Bernkastler Doktor, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, and Piesporter Goldtropfchen.

Vintage

If the wine is to be in its full glory, it must be of good vintage because year to year quality variations in German wines are significant.

Quality indicators

In addition to vintage, these three German quality indicators should be understood when buying wines. In order of quality:

Qualitatswein mit Pradikat
Wines in this category are for wine lovers with discriminating taste buds and olfactory receptors. The term roughly translates as "Quality wine with special attributes". See next item for its five designations.
Qualitatswein
This mid-rank indicator translates as "Quality wine".
Tafelwein
These wines are ordinary but pleasant - and are superior to those which did not even make the Tafelwein category. The name translates as "Table wine".

Qualitatswein mit Pradikat

It is divided into five designations. In order of quality and esteem, the five are:

Trockenbeerenauslese
Translates: "Dry selected berries"
Beerenauslese
"Selected berries"
Auslese
"Selected"
Spatlese
"Late picking"
Kabinett
"Cabinet"

Sparkling wine

There is a sparkling German wine called Sekt. It's far from being in the French Champagne league.

Other German
alcoholic beverages

Cider

Germans make a hard and soft cider from apples, which grow well in the central part of the country.

Potent beverages

Germany is also the home of a variety of strong drinks, many of which, like Korn, fall into the clear grain spirit Schnapps category. There are many critically praised fruit brandies including Kirschwasser (cherry), Mirabellengeist (yellow plum),and Himbeergeist (raspberry).

Hot German beverages

Coffee

Coffee is a major liquid refreshment in Germany. Collectively, the Germans are among the most knowledgeable and demanding coffee drinkers in the world.

Tea

Except in certain pockets of the country, tea is not particularly popular.

Links to my other
German cuisine pages

German cuisine home page
Famous German dishes
German menu translator
Regional German cuisine

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