The Bavarian spirit definitely lives on at the Augustiner Keller.

I decided to go on a quest to find the roots of my favorite beverage – beer. What better place than Bavaria, perhaps the birthplace of beer? And what better brewery than what is reportedly the oldest brewery in existance, the Augustiner Keller?

I was not sure what to expect when I arrived there – a throng of tourists with guidebooks and camaras in hand? Or perhaps groups of locals that would not be accessable to a tourist like me.  While I was hoping for an authentically “Bavarian” experience, I have learned to temper my expectations.

What I found was a few tourists that were far outnumbered by groups of Müncheners that were there to have a good time. To my delight, the locals were more than willing to share whatever they could offer – be it a good joke, a song, or the beer from their glass. Before I knew it, I was singing with Uwe, a local football (soccer) fan, adorned with a traditional scarf (which he proudly displayed to me), and who after a few minutes was asking for my facebook address. I found myself constantly admiring the sketchings or traditional antlers hanging from the walls of this traditional keller (should be hundreds of years old-not sure exactly) while listening to one of the live bands belting out everything from traditional bavarian music to ’60s rock on stage. All the while thinking to myself, what a absolutely delightful experience – a great find!

I happened to go during the annual Stark Bier (Strong Beer) Festival which runs during the three weeks leading up to Easter. I was given a full history by Manny from down the street but after a few stark biers between the two of us, I can’t recite it exactly word for word. According to Manny, it has something to do with Christians not being able to eat as much as perhaps they would like during this period each year (lent). As a result, they added more sugar to the beer and hence arrived at a recipe (7.6 % alc) that brings more than a few of us wanting to celebrate to our knees each year.   

Eventually I walked out at around midnight after reluctantly but gratefully accepting a final beer, compliments of Manny. Arriving back at Hotel Monaco, only a few minutes walk, I reflected back on the night thinking – I couldn’t have asked for more from Munich or its people than what was delivered on this night – Prost!

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