We will be in Vienna this summer. My husband loves a good brew, but we are not familiar with the various types in German language(i.e. light, dark, on tap, etc.) I am also assuming that there are local specialties not found in the U.S. Can someone translate the various types of beer found in local restaurants? I don't drink beer normally. Can someone suggest any local mixed drinks? Am assuming mojitos are not popular in Austria!

For beer Gasthaus Hansy:
http://www.hansy-braeu.at/
Gösser Bierklinik:
http://www.goesser-bierklinik.at/
Fischerbräu
http://www.fischerbraeu.at/
As far as mixed drinks, bars in Austria serve most anything you'll find in the US.
Try the huge variety the have of Schnapps.

Beer terms in German language are quite simple.

The 2 most common types are light and dark.
Ein Helles bitte = a light (colored) beer, please
Ein Dunkles = a dark beer.

The third type is a wheat beer Weissbier aka Hefeweizen.

The 2nd thing you need to decide is the size.

klein = small (0.3l)
gross = large (0.5l)
Mass = v. large (1 liter)

1 liter beers are not what people commonly drink before or over dinner. Groups of guys out drinking may order a 1 liter beer - found in big beer gardens or brew pubs.

Most restaurants serve ONE brand of beer - you order a beer, period. Stiegl is the most common in Austria. In different parts of Austria you may find more local breweries (i.e. Zipfer in Innsbruck) - they'll offer the same types.

You don't select from a list of 6 different brands on tap (vom fass) or 27 different bottled beers.

Enjoy.

J62 and Operaman give some good advice.
I add some things.
firstly

terms for sizes of beer

those given may pertain to Germany or some places in Austria, but in Vienna

1/2 liter - Krügel

1/3 liter - Seidl

1/8 liter - Pfiff

Another nice brewery with good food.

www.7stern.at

The Seven Stars convenient to city center too.

Their website available in english will provide some good information on beer and also offer idea of pricing etc. enjoy.

Do not expect to find too many places serving exotic mixed drinks.

Most will have wine, beer , mineral water.

I have had Mojitos in Vienna, but I can't remember where. Mixed drinks are not all that popular.

You may find this type of drinks in the not so traditional bars such as the Palmenhaus.

http://www.palmenhaus.at

Or in 'schicki-micki' bars.

The most popular drinks are generally beer and wine.

The Austrian wine is great!

>Stiegl is the most common [beer] in Austria.

And very good, too.

Molker;
Ah, nothing like a quick Phiff at lunch time.
martyharly; Everywhere you go will have good beer in Vienna your husband should enjoy himself immensly, especially if he drinks a Krügel or two at each stop. Make sure you try the Stroh rum, it is unlike anything you are used to. Great in coffee and straight.

Thank you all! The Fodors forum really is a great source of info!

I went into the 7 Stars in March and was kind of turned off. On that particular night it was packed with groups of Americans and Brits and the staff there all seemed to be going in several different directions at once. However, I was there alone and it's not just the place, IMHO, for a solo dining/drinking experience...I could see how a group could enjoy themselves there a lot more. And there was a large convention in town, which could easily account for the anglophone crowd there. I would certainly be willing to try it again.
But also on that same street are a few cocktail bars (and, off topic, some good interior design store around that area as well). We popped into one and it was a nice place...nothing earth shaking, but still a good place for cocktails and they did have mojitos. Oddly, though, we were asked twice to move to another table (we were just chatting quietly)...later the waiter confessed that we had sat down next to a pair of Austrian TV celebrities (we had NO idea who they were) who didn't want any of the great unwashed polluting their space. The adjoining tables were being kept empty at their insistence.

Over on the other side of Mariahilferstrasse is Phil's, a hangout on Gumpendorferstrasse 10-12. Normally it's more a coffee/books/wifi place, but they do DJ/drink nights. We happened to go there when some group was having their CD launch party, so it was a lot of fun. It's a hit or miss thing, but if you're in that neighborhood, worth seeing what they're up to on that day.

I've enjoyed many a seidl of Stiegl at Cafe Kafka on Capistrangasse, off Mariahilferstrasse. A quiet, unassuming place (mobile phone conversations are very frowned on there, which I take as a good thing). However, one night I took a friend there and we walked in the door to find someone reading in German to a rapt, serious audience. Poetry night? Memorial service? We never knew, just backed away quietly. It's one of my favorite winter hangouts because they have a wood-burning stove and I can stare into the flames while I linger over a beer.

Lots of good beer in Austria, I am partial to Hirter Pils, but you'll be spoiled for choice.

Remember that Stroh is 80%vol (160 Proof)! It is strong stuff, but delicious.

They make Stroh in differing alcohol content, but the 80% is wunderbar, you just have to watch how many you drink.