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)