Hector’s Heroic Homecoming – Day the Eleventh – Berlin Biermeile

There was talk of someone going out to get the ingredients for Breakfast – Bacon Rolls? Alas, when Hector rose after a much needed night’s sleep, there was no sign of Breakfast. The rain was chucking it down, so no need to make an early departure, the Berlin Mile Street Festival.

Those of us who have been to the Biermeile before know to start at the far end – Frankfurter Tor. Strausberger Platz is nearer Alexanderplatz and is where most begin, however, here lies more of the Bayerische Bier, better to keep the best until last.

For reasons unknown, we all bought the Programme and the 0.2l Glass. Each Bier stall stocks the appropriate glass for each Bier sold, and they are probably cleaner, the Souvenir Glass simply means one avoids the hassle of the Pfand, though some people particularly lust after the Pfand.

The first Bier up for Hector was Newcastle Brown vom Fass. The far end of the festival stocks mostly Pils and so I had no desire at all to risk it. Only here and Palm Springs (not Salt Lake City) (California, USA) have I ever had this English Brew on Tap. Clive was up for it too, Howard, Robin and Mags watched in horror. One needs a sense of humour.

Robin found Primator (Nachod Pivovar, Czech Republic) a Bier that was recommended to us by a passing Scottish Bier enthusiast. Nachod is twinned with Mirfield, Yorkshire, not many people know that.

Augustiner (München, Bayern) could not be passed without due homage being paid to Edelstoff. For the record we walked straight passed the Schottische stand which featured Bellhaven and Green King Ales (really), both best ignored. Standards are high.

Uerige, everyone’s favourite Düsseldorf Altbier was our next encounter. It was also time for Lunch, Fish in various forms was purchased by the majority. Bier and Fische, unglaublich!

 

Zunft Kölsch (Wiehl-Bielstein, NRW) was a new one on us, four had this whilst Hector visited the oppsoite stand – Früh.

The Red Zephyrz

John, the Keyboard Player, with this Scottish Covers Band contacted Hector to say they were playing at the Berlin Biermeile. They were just starting the set as we arrived, about a dozen or so people had followed them over from Blighty. Kirschbier (Klosterbrauerei Neuzelle, Deutschland) felt like a palate cleanser. Mags was straight over to join the fun as we watched the Band.

Uncanny but not Unexpected

The Freiberger Bier stand that maintained Hector’s sanity for three nights in Sassnitz was just after the crossing point at the halfway mark. The Freiberger Festbier had to be purchased, I was pleased to be recognised by the Two Main Chaps running the stall. Who knows what the others had?

Here Comes The Sun

The sky turned blue, the gloom had gone, time for Delerium Tremens (Huyghe, Melle, Belgium). This has been the highlight for Robin and Hector on our previous two visits.

To secure this on draught is always a particular pleasure. This Premium Bier was pricey and was also sold by the most attractive Damsels on the entire Mile. The Power of The Pink Elephant. This wonderful experience was followed by a massive Ice Cream.

And Finally…

The Spaten Zelt (München, Bayern) sucked us in, Oompah Band in full flow. The 0.2l glasses were put away, time for a full 0.5l of Oktoberfest Bier. This year’s or last, who knows?

We left with dignity and much earlier than ever before.

Maybe after three visits we think we have done it. Hundreds of Bier stands from all over the World and we had stopped at half a dozen. Hector is coming to the conclusion that the majority of Bier brewed on the planet is not up to much. We know what we like, and we shall keep searching for more of what we like.

The Chaps and Chapatti decided that our next port of call would be the House of 101 Bier. Crossing to West Berlin this was located with the help of our Bier Guides and a memory of the railway bridge being a handy aid for navigation.

There were ten Biers on Tap, most were Pils. Having left the Biermeile our standards had been established. We read the Menu of Bottled Bier, Edelstoff (Augustiner, München) was the only Bier on the entire List that anyone fancied. We left, The House of 101 Biers had only one and we could get it vom Holzfass at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt.

Three Trips to Berlin this Summer and Hector has only had Bier in two Berlin Pubs.

It had to be Schnitzel, this was how the Summer Marathon in Eastern Europe began, what finer way to end it? The Edelstoff was fantastic as always.

Farewell, Lord Clive

Clive came back to the Garden Suburb to collect his bag, his flight was ridiculously early. Better to go and sit it out at the Airport than waste cash on half a night in a hotel and then struggle with middle of the night transport. Robin and Mags retired, Howard and Hector took advantage of living in Wedding.

And so Hector’s Heroic Homecoming featuring Robin’s Random Ramble ends, or does it? Tomorrow night Hector will be in Aberdeen. Sparkling Water sounds like a Great Tipple, there is not a Bier in Scotland that will tempt me, before next Wednesday…

The Brewery and Bier outlets visited today:

Berlin Biermeile – Frankfurter Allee, Berlin

Haus Der 101 Biere – Mommsenstrasse 45,10629, Berlin

Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt – Charlottenstraße 55, 10117, Berlin

Eschenbräu – Triftstraße 67, 13353, Berlin

Comments

comments