quote: Originally posted by Dansting I've never been to Europe, but hopefully I will be able to go before I die. But my pal TimmyK77 will be going next spring, and we were talking about where he should go to have some good beer (while seeing the other sites of the continent). I was told by many people that Prague was the best city in Europe, and I know they have a lot of brewpubs. Do any of you have any recommendations on where he should try to check out?

Germany is cool because you kind of pick a style of beer, then go to that city. So what's TimmyK's preference for beer styles? Kolsch=Koln, Rauchbier=Bamberg, Altbier=Dusseldorf, etc. KrazyKarl spent the summer staggering around Europe, shoot him a beermail and see if he's got ideas. My dream vacation is to go through the Senne Valley and visit the lambic breweries, then South to Northern France and visit the biere de garde regions around Lille, stopping at some saison breweries on the way. Also, I've not been here or seen the brewery, but if you can find Cuvee Ermisinde from the Saint-Monon brewery, definitely pick up a bottle or 10. I had one and it was a thing of beauty... too bad I probably won't get another taste anytime soon.... sigh.... http://www.beerpal.com/vault/beerinfo.asp?ID=17175

i'd have to say, although most people would not agree w/ me, that i really enjoyed the year i spent in london.

I really like most kinds of beer. Not a fan of the hefe's. Also, I've only tried it once, but I really did not like the abbey tripel I tried, it was way too sugary. I'm taking this trip as a requirement for school, so I won't have completely free reign. Most likely I'll be going through London, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Hope to have time to swing through France, Belgium, or Holland. Any advice would be appreciated. I've been to Europe before, but I was completely ignorant on good beer so I have no basis to even start from.

quote: Originally posted by Timmyk77 Most likely I'll be going through London, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

For London, you need to pick up CAMRA's Good Beer Guide. If you are only planning on spending a few days there, beermail me and I'll give you the names and addresses of the best pubs in the area you are staying in. Munich & Bruxelles are good beer cities, too. Have fun!

see now too it depends on wether you want europe for the beer or europe for the history, et al. the reason i mention this is cause, imo, paris, rome, and athens were over-rated, although rural france rocks. sure they were great for the historical aspect for the thousands of years of history, but as modern day cities they don't do much and they ain't great beer towns. on the other side of the coin was lisbon, portugal is the most beautiful city in meditteranian europe and one of the most in europe. kind of reminded me of buenos aries(don't know if that helps[:)]). but again, lisbon is not really known for it's beer. as far as a hitory lesson coupled with some interesting brew, go for rural poland. i'm serious. believe it or not poland used to be the country of aristocrats and still have mansions standing akin to the american south antebellums. i hope this helps some and if you have any questions 'biout any specific countries feel free to ask.