Now This is More Like Germany

When we arrived in Munich yesterday and went to our hostel, the streets we walked down didn’t seem much different than even mid or downtown Omaha. Today after returning from Dachau we headed straight to Munich’s city center, where the town hall was located. Immediately we felt like we were in Germany. We found pretzels, beer, and sausage. We walked around the town hall area and then went to Munich’s food market which was conveniently located adjacent to their massive beer garden. It was so different than any social setting I’ve experienced in the United States. I’ve seen beer gardens at sporting events, but this put those to shame, especially considering there were just there to be there and not because of some other event. It was tent, next to tent, next to tent, filled with people at every seat on every bench at every table. It wasn’t a place of excess or overindulgence, but rather the place where everyone wanted to go and be with everyone and have a beer.

After getting my giant pretzel in the town hall area we headed to the Hopfbräuhaus, Munich’s famous and original beer house. This place is what you picture when you think of German festival and beer. The Hopfbräuhaus had multiple halls and rooms, indoor and out, and (despite its great size) was packed. After walking around for 30 minutes or so we finally found a table to sit at; it just so happened an American father and son were sitting there as well. I got the Hopfbräuhaus Original and Erica got their wheat beer. Oh and in case you didn’t know, when it comes beer Germans must follow the mantra of go big or go home. The Original comes in a 1 liter stein and the wheat in a 0.5 liter portion. After a certain amount of contemplation I ended up getting the weiβwerst (vice wurst), white sausage that apparently Hopfbräuhaus is famous for. It was a fun night that was even accompanied by the occasional German folk song performed by live band (I’ll try to post the video). Until next time….