Kudos and cheers to all of you. You bring back many a tasty memory. I can agree with all of the preceding posts. Let me note that sometimes I rememember my travels by drink (in the US) beers I have had in Europe. I can obtain locally many of the better, or at least, ubiquitous beers. Let me ask you a couple questions: First, can we get Bitburg in the US? Second, I became partial to pulled UK beer (real ale? is that the correct term?) I enjoyed the cool, smooth tastes. Boddingtons (in those special cans) are about as close as it gets to pulled UK beer in the US. Does that deserve an honorable mention? Or is there a better representative?

The main problem with American beers is not the taste. It's that there is too much carbonation. That simply ruins any chance a beer has of being good.

Yes, Bitburger exports to the USA but in my opinion it doesn't make sense to buy exported beer. Beer should be drunken as fresh as possible and even a mediocre beer fresh from tap tastes better than a good but old, bottled beer. Exported beer is also filtered to a greater extend and sometimes other measures are taken to preserve it better. All this isn't good for the taste. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

When in England find a "real ale" pub. There's a handbook published by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) of all the pubs who serve draught beer as opposed to bottled stuff. I'd recommend some of the Yorkshire beers e.g. Theakston's Old Peculiar and Timothy Taylor's Landlord. My favourite is only available in the Manchester area: Robinson's.

Agree with Hans H. My husband and I drive to Montreal (4 hours) every summer to get two cases of Labbatt's Blue (Canadian beer). The one bottled in NY just doesn't taste the same. <BR> <BR>BTW, do not get the wrong impression; we are hardly the drinkers; we just enjoy good beer :-)

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>A lot of coarse is dependent on individual tastes, I do however drink lots of beer and generally don't drink American beers. <BR> <BR>Once in Rome with my family on a hot day we stopped for lunch and ordered beer with the meal. The owner proudly brought out 4 bottles of Budwieser. Yuck!!! I don't even drink that stuff when there's nothing else available. We sent it back and they then brougth out a nice European Beer. <BR> <BR>If your in France or Paris one of my favorites is Kronnebourg 1664. They also make seasonal beers, they just came out this week with the Biere de Mars which was creamy and nice, and if you are in Paris near the hollidays try their Biere de Noel. Obviously order the Draft and not the Bottles. Une Pression, s'il vous plait. <BR> <BR>Ciao, <BR> <BR>Randy Smith <BR> <BR>

For anyone in or coming to Atlanta, there are some good beers made here. Try Dogwood's Stout (more of a porter, really - has won a couple of national awards), Sweetwater 420 and any of the summer brews that will be out soon (Red Brick's is usually lighter, but Dogwood's take on a Belgian White is my favorite). <BR> <BR>We've had numerous transplants from the West and Northwest since brewing became legal a few years ago, and many are dedicated to using authentic European methods.

Kilkenny in Ireland and Eichob (?) in Switzerland (Luzern)-if they still make it. <BR> <BR>

Hubertusch. Its either Austrian or German... I did have a better dark been in Prague, but it was draft and I dont remember the name.

Good info: I found Bitburg at the Liquor store. (I never saw it in the US before). Wonderful! 1664 is one of my favs, too. Just started getting it a year or two ago. I wrote to Kronenburg a few years ago and asked if it was available in the US and they said no. BUT a year later or so it was! There are some good Belgium beers available in the US (or are they all good?), but some cost an arm and a let. Getting back to the over-carbonation issue: Has anyone tried Guinness in the bottles, as found in the US? Way too carbonated. It changes the flavor, not in a good way. Having said that, I like the draft cans of Guinness. Cheers to the person who invented those draft cans with the widget inside.

I don't profess to be a beer expert, but my European favorites are De Konick from Belgium, Tennent's Lager from Scotland, and Caffrey's Irish Ale. Have never been to Germany to sample the numerous beers there. :( <BR> <BR>I also really like most Asian beers - they're much lighter than their European counterparts, but are good complements to the often spicy/heavy cuisine. I enjoyed Bintang from Indonesia, Tiger from Singapore, Tsingtao from China, OB from Korea, and the beer in Thailand - the name is escaping me at the moment. <BR> <BR>This is making me want to go get a beer now; unfortunately I have two more hours of work to get through first. :)

A beer pilgrimmage to Belgium article from yesterday's Chicago Tribune travel section ... <BR> <BR>http://cgi.chicago.tribune.com/trave...180383,00.html

Hi Just wanted to add Staropramon from the Czeck republic. I drink it at home also.

Leffe blonde, Maredsous, Corsendonk. All Belgian. They know what they're doing over there.

One of my favorite French beers that I didn't see (although the list is long, so my apologies if I missed it) is Pelforth Brune.

Miller or Budweiser,they have no good beer!

While there's nothing better than a nicely pulled Guinness on a chilly day, I'd have to say that a close second would be Chimay from Belgium. Also, if there's an argument to be made about continuing the traditions of monkdom, it lies in the Trappist's art of creative beer making. I distinctly remember (and can almost taste) the chocolatey after-taste of a Corsendonk. Think I'll go to Belgium again. Cheers.

Just got back from Belgium - the beers were wonderful! Best? Well, out of the ones I tried I would say that the Trappist 8 and 10 were great (kind of like eating your beer a bit), Ovel, Brugge Blond was a bit too light, but good, and the Kittel. Plus, not only were they good, but they sure were inexpensive! I also liked the raspberry beer as well.

Andy:Loved this post.Is there anything better than stopping in a British pub for a pint of real ale after a hard mornings site-seeing?

Franziskaner wheat beer vom Faß