Beerista: the best Bavarian beers

The words “erotic” and “beer” should never have to appear in the same sentence – but it so happened recently that a Bavarian brewer claimed he had created something extra special by brewing in the nip. Because he wears almost nothing when he brews – just a hat, wellies and a short apron – he says his “Erotikbier” is an aphrodisiac.

Breweries are generally pretty chilly places and full of dangerous boiling liquids, so it’s hard to see what the appeal might be in working there so exposed. Though at least he’s not the only one – there’s a naked woman on the label too.

You won’t find this “bubbling nectar of love” on the shelves here but there are plenty of other fine Bavarian beers available that are worth checking out. (I picked up all of this week’s beers in Molloys off-licence, Dublin.)

Wieninger is a brewery in Teisendorf, Bavaria, and their Guidobald is an Export Hell lager. With a bright floral hop aroma, it has a delicately sweet and grainy flavour with a light body – but not thin – at 5.3 per cent.

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Wieninger Ruperti Pils is a bit more robust and flavoursome as lagers go. This German Pils has spicy hop aromas with a light biscuit maltiness, and is balanced out by a lovely crisp finishing bitterness at 5 per cent. Very refreshing.

Ayinger beers have become a bit of a cult hit in the US, and if you like German wheat beers their Urweisse is a perfect example of the style with lots of clove, banana and lemon flavours. Their Kirtabier, however, is my pick of the week. This is a Marzen, which is a malty kind of lager (often brewed for Oktoberfest), with an amber body and a slight haze. There’s a touch of caramel and toasted flavours, a restrained bitterness, a good foamy head and a smooth finish.

@ITbeerista beerista@irishtimes.com