Zillertal Pils

Zillertal is an old-world Austrian brewery (from 1321!), that I've never previously heard of (nor think is exported to the States). It's slightly bitter, and maybe just a bit syrupy almost. It didn't have the crisp and dry flavor so common with German Pilsners, but I liked it for the originality. I'd certainly enjoy another one, if only I can find it.

8/10

Colabier

Over the course of my two weeks in Bavaria, I often saw Colabier advertised in various menus, alongside Radlers. Assuming that it was true to its name, I felt it was probably disgusting. Still, though, it nagged on me that I should probably try it at some point, so I broke down and ordered one on the train ride from Innsbruck to Frankfurt. True to its name, this drink was 50% Becks Pilsner and 50% Pepsi (actually, it turned out being about 70% Becks as the concoction seems to make quite a head of foam, and the server got bored waiting for it to subside). How did it taste? Exactly how you would expect a cocktail of beer and cola would taste. Neither flavor was muted nor overpowered the other. It was almost a perfect balance of opposing taste sensations that was barely tolerable. Unlike a radler which can be refreshing in a way that tastes neither like lemonade nor beer, colabeer is almost unsettingly non-refreshing. It left me feeling full and slightly grossed out.

Apfelwein @ Adolph Wagner (Frankfurt)

Frankfurt is known for its apple wine, so we hit up a restaurant famous for it, Adolph Wagner's. They don't serve anything else (you can ask for water, but that's it). The guide book said that most people dilute it with water or soda water, and very few drink it straight as it has ABV of about 6.5% and a tart, sour taste. The guide book also said that locals get impressed when foreigners drink it straight, but warned not to over do it, as sour stomachs are quite common. Because Adolph Wagner's is something of a party tavern, there were 4 bachelor/bachelorette parties going on as we ate, so none of the locals was paying much attention to us silly foreigners. Instead, we all enjoyed the various bachelors parties try to outdo one another with rocous drinking songs. Amidst the revelry, I downed the better part of a large Bembel (a specific Apfelwein jug), which Wikipedia says "is ordered in this form when one is significantly thirsty or with company". I wasn't particularly thirsty, or with company beyond the girlfriend (who didn't like Apfelwein at all), so I stupidly drank the entire thing myself (about 2.5 liters worth). Sour stomach? Check! The next day I spent traveling back to the States, and I was doubled over with stomach cramps for many hours of the trip. I actually rather enjoyed the taste of the un-dilluted Apfelwein, but might have sworn it off for life after the misery afterwards.

8/10 (in moderation)

Radeberger Pilsner

Somebody brought this to my Local Beer Party, either in jest or in pure dumbassery, as it clearly is made in Germany. Nonetheless, I've been returning to this basic but refreshing Pilsner several times this summer, mostly when I'm back from the gym. It's light but flavorful, and as often as I'm expecting it to skunk up after sitting in the beer fridge for several months now, it's yet to disappoint. It's about a good a copy of a prototypical German pilsner as I've had, and that's a good thing.

7.5/10

BeerAdvocate:

Brewed by:
Radeberger Exportbierbrauerei
Germany

Style | ABV
German Pilsener | 4.80% ABV

Notes:
Year-round.

Metropolitan Brewery Dynamo Copper Lager

I have the fortune to live mere blocks from the Metropolitan Brewery, which I admit I really haven't taken advantage of, since I've only purchased their products at bars and at Binny's. But, I am proud to say that as one of the city's newest (and only) micro-breweries, they put out one damn fine beer. I've now sampled every Metropolitan beer, as well as all the products from Half Acre (another fine local, new brewery), and Dynamo is my favorite of the lot, so far. I say "so far" because both brewers promise more variety in the months to come. But, this is one I will happily return to again and again. It's light, crisp, and doesn't have any of the off-putting semi-sour, semi-bitter notes that I've encountered in other copper ales. I like this beer so much, that upon learning that the otherwise dismal bar Northside was having a special on Dynamo, I decided to pay it a visit. That's high praise indeed.

9/10

Beer Advocate:

Brewed by:
Metropolitan Brewing 
Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
Vienna Lager |  5.60% ABV

Notes:
Year-round. Serving types had: bottle (7), on-tap (4). 

Original Gravity: 13.6 Plato 
Bitterness: 29 IBU 
Color: 8.4 SRM