Gipfelbier, or Another Excuse to Drink Beer

by Justin Glow on

I read an interesting AskMetafilter question the other day, it asked: “What is the German word for a beer enjoyed at the top of a summit that you have just climbed?” Apparently the asker climbed Mount Tongariro on the North Island of New Zealand, where they ran across two German men on the summit, each enjoying a beer along with the beautiful view. “They told us that this was a traditional thing for German hikers to do on top of mountains that they summit, and they even had a specific word for the beer enjoyed on such an occasion.”

It turns out there is a term for such a thing: Gipfelbier, or “summit beer.” According to a response posted to the original question, “Gipfelbier or Gipfelhalbe (Halbe = half a liter of beer), it’s simply a reward for having made it to the top, Gipfelschnaps is also common.”

Any excuse to drink beer is fine with me, even if it means lugging it up a mountain first.

The World’s Best Places to Catch a Buzz

by Willy Volk on

Recently, we mentioned some of the best places to grab a beer in Eastern Europe. If you were hoping for drinking tips with a more global appeal (both in terms of alcohol and destination), then you want to check out this list, which overflows with 13 of the world’s best places to catch a buzz.

In addition to telling you what’s bubbling about each of the destinations, the list runs down some of the local spots for sleeping it off. In short, travelers who love tippling will rejoice. Some of the pointers are somewhat sobering (Bourbon in Kentucky; Sake in Japan; Scotch in Scotland), but the majority of the destinations will make you drunk… with delight:

  • Port in Portugal
  • Rum in Barbados
  • Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico
  • Cognac in Cognac, France
  • Valtellina in Valtellina, Italy
  • Cachaça in Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Pastis in Provence, France
  • Trappist ales in Flanders, Belgium
  • Meritage in Paso Robles, California
  • Microbrewed beer in New Glarus, Wisconsin

I’d like to point out that Stellenbosch’s Wine Route is pretty divine, too, though it didn’t make the list.

Evidently, we love drinking here at Gadling, because we have a number of related posts for you to drink in:

Best Places To Grab A Beer (in Eastern Europe)

by Willy Volk on

Certainly, everyone has their own opinions about where to get the best beer. It may be a local hang-out. It may be an eclectic pub in a faraway city. According to Fodor’s, 7 of the best places to grab a beer in Eastern Europe are:

  1. Pivovarska Restaurace, Czech Republic
  2. Harnas, Poland
  4. Carul cu Bere, Romania
  5. Chichovtsi, Bulgaria
  6. Shinok, Russia

Related:

[Photo: Today is a good day]

BeerMapping, Mapping Beer for the Thirsty

by Willy Volk on

Need help planning a pub crawl? Want some assistance finding a beer store for your upcoming spring break destination? Grab your bottle opener and head to the Beer Mapping Project.

Mashing together Google maps and several beer-lovers websites, the beermapping project aims to plot beer bars, brew pubs, breweries, beer stores, and homebrew stores on an easy-to-read map. This way, the next time you’re at one of those boring conventions, far from home, you can easily learn where the nearest beer bars are (or, alternatively, where the greatest concentration of beer bars in the city is), call a cab, and head on over. It’s easier than saying “gulp.”

Currently, not all cities in North America are represented, though entering your city in the Location Lookup may still return results. Since my town isn’t represented, I searched the listings for Atlanta, since I grew up there. Though there are a lot of locations mapped in Atlanta, I was disappointed to see my favorite bar in Atlanta — Euclid Avenue Yacht Club — mysteriously missing. Rest easy, beer drinkers: I sent in a tip.

[Via Mapperz]

Detour Worth Making: New York’s Burp Castle

by Willy Volk on

Though I live in South Florida, I have friends in New York City. Next time I’m there, I’m going to insist we visit the inelegantly-named but beautifully-decorated Burp Castle. With its friendly vibe, cozy atmosphere, and soothing music, the self-ordained Temple of Beer Worship sports a fantastic beer selection (9 taps; 80 bottles). Despite its clunky moniker, the Burp Castle is is not a frat-boy bar where they belt out Creed. Rather, it’s a low-key destination for enjoying fine conversation — and even finer beers. There’s even a sign discouraging patrons from getting unruly.

Located at 41 East 7th Street, the Burp Castle features amazingly detailed murals of beer-brewing monks worshiping what they love most: finely-crafted beer. Surrounded by beautiful wenches, the monks enjoy the fruits of their labor while being bitten by sharks, hiding in barrels, teetering on ships at sea, doing their taxes, and other decidedly un-monk-ish activities. Nevertheless, it appears that the whole thing works well, as the reviews of the Burp Castle are as warm as the hues of the murals.

[Photo: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid]