It’s recognised around the world that Germany is a country that loves its beer. Not only do they have tons of beer varieties to choose from, but they also make their beers according to strict local purity laws that limit the ingredients to just four: Hops, barley, water and yeast.
But recipe restrictions don’t mean lack of flavour or complexity. Thanks to the variety of different (yet all highly technical) brewing styles that exist in Germany, local brewers are still able to produce a wide range of brews while maintain the traditional makeup that German beers are known for.
Whether you’re a beer fanatic or are only starting to explore this substance, Germany’s the best place to expand your repertoire.
If you’re planning a trip to Germany, you can’t visit without trying the following beer styles.
- Weizenbier: Weizen means wheat and bier means beer, so it shouldn’t be hard to figure out what this style is like. But if you’re new to wheat beers, we’ll give you a hint. It’s a pale, refreshing beer with a mild flavour that can appeal to most palates.
- Märzen: Of all the German beers out there, Märzen is perhaps the most famous as it’s the one traditionally served at Oktoberfest. This Bavarian lager can range in colour but is typically an amber colour.
- Bockbier: Backbiters are strong, dark, malty lagers. They are traditionally enjoyed in late winter or early spring alongside earthy foods such as cheeses or dark meats.
- Berliner Weissbier: Of all the German beers we’ll cover in this article, this one is the lightest and the fruitiest. If you’re typically a wine or cider drinker, you will love the taste of this slightly sour wheatbeer.
- Kölsh: This lager/ale hybrid is not quite as light and sour as Berliner Weissbiers, but it is still very refreshing and easy to drink. It’s a popular choice in the summer months.
- Munich Dunkel: Dubbed “the original brown lager of Bavaria”, dunkel beers are very popular in Germany. They are produced using Munich malts which make them quite sweet and smooth.
- Helles: Despite what the name might suggest, helles beers are actually very light and fresh. They are named for the German word hell which translates to bright.
- Rauchbier: Arguably the most unique style of German beer is the rauchbier, which has a distinctive smoky flavour. This is achieved by roasting malted barley before adding it to the brew.
Have you tried any of these German beer styles? Which one is your favourite?
