Local brews - the chance to taste the best

Mission Topic: to order the drink you really want!

Okay you’ve probably heard  Berlin has a bustling nightlife – true. To be sure there’s nothing better than grabbing a beer in one of Berlin’s many beergardens, basking in the sunshine – true. But what may not be so simple is explaining what the green stuff is people are sipping through straws, or just which beer is going be to your liking. Explanation follows.

Alsterwasser: in Australia this is known as a shandy. A mix of Pils and lemonade, it’s refreshing, gets your sugar levels back in order, and doesn’t make your speech slur as quickly after several in the sunshine. 

Pils or Pilsener: the champagne of beers, crisp and clean, light in colour, made from an early fermentation of hops, it’s bitter in taste and rich in aroma. The  proper draft however should take 7 mins, so don’t get sour with your waiter if it  takes a moment. 

Afri Cola: this is Germany’s very own cola, in fact the company was founded in 1864 – possibly making it the mother of all colas. It’s a popular non alcoholic club drink, what sets it apart from other sodas is that it’s jam packed with caffeine.  Made from the cola nut, this refreshing jet black soda is tasty stuff – try it. 

Weizenbiere or wheatbeer: a favorite here of which there are two varieties  Kristallweizen or "clear wheat"– refreshing, wheat smacked taste served with  lemon, lovely, and Hefeweizen or "yeast wheat"– of which you can order either a helles – light, or dunkeles – dark, depending on the amount of sediment and fullness of flavor you prefer, also wonderful. 

Berliner Weisse: unique to Berlin, introduced by the Hugenots who migrated here from France in the late 17th century. Finding the local brew a tad bitter, they added syrup to sweeten things up. Today it comes in two flavors Himbeer or raspberry (red), or Waldmeister, which is woodruff (green). Served with a straw, it’s pleasantly tasty and quenches the thirst. 

Apfelsaft Schorle: apple juice served with sparkling mineral water makes for a great summer thirst quencher.  Weisswein Schorle: white wine served with sparkling mineral water, refreshing and with enough wine to satisfy. 

Rotkäppchen Sekt: this is not just an example of Germany’s Method  Champagnoise – it’s the socialist version. Rotkäppchen  was the former GDR’s state bubbly and people don’t only drink it for a bit of a lark or to reminisce – it  actually tastes pretty good. Zum Wohl Kamarad! (Cheers Comrade!) 

Tipping customs: if you are satisfied with the service offer 10–15%. Do note though unlike in Australia or the US, waiters will not be as attentive in offering you another drink, the onus is on you. This also means you can sit on the one drink for a long time without being rushed or given the bill.