Want to really experience German beer? Then forget Munich…head to Bamberg! Home to the world’s densest concentration of breweries, Bamberg has 9 independent breweries within the city center and nearly 100 within Bamberg County!

We sampled 6 of the 9 brews inside the city center, within 24 hours…and I don’t even like beer! We hit the oldest brewery (1533), the youngest and smallest (2004), and of course Bamberg’s unique Rauchbier (smoke beer).

What’s great about these independent breweries is the Gemütlichkeit. Germans aren’t known for being the most open people, but when seated family-style, elbow to elbow, enjoying a good brew, you are sure to get a few “Guten Appetit” when your meal arrives! I must say, there were lots of tasty eats and drinks in Bamberg!

 All this coming from a “non-beer drinker”…I guess it’s time to stop calling myself that.