In Bavaria, beer is the adventure. And if, like us, your love for artisanal brew borders on the fanatical聴and you could really use six days of both-ends-of-the-candle-burning fun聴head to the land of the Reinheitsgebot this summer.
The 1516 brewers聮 purity law is in full effect on the new Samuel Adams Hopfenpfl眉cken trip (hosted by outfitter Abercrombie & Kent), where you聮ll join Sammy braumeisters at a 600-year-old farm specializing in high-aroma Hallertau Mittelfr眉h 聯noble” hops (unquestionably the world’s best), which are used in the company’s delicious Boston Lager. It聮s the highlight of a sudcentric ramble through Bavaria that hits the old biergartens of cosmopolitan Munich, the barley malters of Bamberg, the medieval town of Regensburg, and beyond, with nary an ancient brewery聴including Weihenstephan, the world聮s oldest (1004), and Spital (1220)聴or sublime vista missed along the way. Whatever sleep you get will be in centuries-old inns, and breaks in the action include a detour to the Bavarian Alps for a (cable-car) ascent of the 9,718-foot Zugspitze, with panoramic views of Austria, Switzerland, and neighboring German states. Make the most of day six聮s open itinerary by renting a bike ($17 per day; mikesbiketours.com); two wheels is the best way to tour Old Town Munich.
BEER RECOMMENDATION: It’s all so good, but one that just might make you weep because you can’t get it in the States is the amazing Saint Katharinen Spezial, from the Spital Brewery, in medieval Regensburg.
TRIP INFO: July 31聳August 6; $2,980, excluding airfare; samadams
聴JEREMY SPENCER
P.S. Read more about Hallertau Mittelfr眉h hops and great beer in my review of .