Guten Morgen! From Germany...

[Ó Flannagáin]

Hello all, glad to be a part of this forum.

Name is Chris, my wife is a dental specialist in the US Army, and we are stationed in Germany. I've just recently finished my 3rd 5 gallon batch of homebrew (An IPA). I'm ready to get started on my 4th, but I want to go to a brew store and shop around. I did when I lived in Asheville NC, and that was definitely the best option (compared to ordering online).

Here is my delima. I can't find a brewing store in Germany!! I know they are here, and I'd be willing to be they have some stunning ingredients to browse, but I need some HELP. Anyone have any suggestions?

I've learned that home brewing is often called "hobbybrauer" in Germany, and I've run across a couple of webpages that point to 1 or 2 stores (or what I think are stores seeing I don't understand German that well).

Anyone know of any brew stores in Western/South Western Germany? Or, even Eastern France, Luxembourg, Southern Belgium?

Best,

Chris

 

[fifelee]

Sorry, I can't help you on the HomeBrew store. But would like to say welcome to the forum and thank your wife for her service. Your own brew is always the best, but you sure don't have a shortage of good beer where you live.

 

[Orfy]

Welcome.

I can't help but this may.

http://babelfish.altavista.com/

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

No kiddin Fifelee. I've been spoiled rotten with good beers over here. I'm driving up to Belgium tommorow to continue my search for a brew store. Any suggestions on Belgium yeasts, malts, hops? Anything in particular I should look for?

I'm also heading to Ireland in a couple weeks, any particular ingredients that I should consider getting fresh from there?

 

[Walker]

JustBrewIt (another member on this forum) moved back to the states about a year ago from Germany. Contrary to what you might think, homebrew stores are few and far between in germany. I don't think justbrewit EVER found one.

If I recall, he ended up buying his ingredients from the US and paying to have it shipped to him in germany.

 

[Orfy]

JustBrewIt (another member on this forum) moved back to the states about a year ago from Germany. Contrary to what you might think, homebrew stores are few and far between in germany. I don't think justbrewit EVER found one.

If I recall, he ended up buying his ingredients from the US and paying to have it shipped to him in germany.

Not sure If you get special shipping rates from the States but it'd be easier to ship from anothe EU country. UK or Belgium.

 

[Walker]

Not sure If you get special shipping rates from the States but it'd be easier to ship from anothe EU country. UK or Belgium.

Probably true. justbrewit was in the US Army, so I'm sure he got special shipping rates to get things from here to there.

 

[fifelee]

If you get over to western Belgium you should try it get to The abbay of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren. Many people say they make the best beer in the world. It is one of my goals while in Europe to visit that monastary. In fact I think any of the seven Trappist breweries would be great to visit. Here is to great beer adventures.

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

I'm actually heading to Belgium tommorow, so, we'll see if I have any luck. I'm not sure I can get stuff shipped from other countries. I have an APO box so only USPS can deliver I think... kinda sucks.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Here's the website for homebrewers: hobbybrauer.de

If you look carefully you'll see that they translate the entire site into English. Usually you'll see the British flag.

Depending where you are..which city are you stationed (?), some local Hochschule (high Schools) have brewing classes on the weekends.

PS Take a German course...

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Good news from Duestchland! I've had some luck in my 2nd week of research. I found a website of a place which sells hops and malts (freshly grown ingredients) slap in the middle of Germany! http://www.eisemann.de/index.htm .. and they have an address and phone number on their page. I'm going to add some key words to this post in case future searchers are looking for what I've (hopefully) found. I will be driving to Heidelberg in the morning to find this place. And I feel hopeful since its on a street called Im Hopfengarten. Here's the info:

Rudolf Eisemann
Im Hopfengarten 1-5
74937 Spechbach bei Heidelberg
Tel.: 06226/4353
Fax: 06226/42233

In mapquest type "Im Hopfengarten" as the address, then "Spechbach" as the city and Wal-Ah! Here are those keywords for future searchers:

hobbybrauer - home brewer (hobby brewer)
brauhaus - home brewer
hopfen - hops
maltz - malts
kaufen - buy
Zutaten - ingredients

 

[homebrewer_99]

From the sites I've been to in Germany the ingredients are cheaper than here in the States.

Go to the MWR office...are you in the Army?...if so go to the MWR office and get some Mehrwertsteuer (tax) forms. When you go to the store ask them if they accept it..."Nehmen Sie das Mehrwertsteuer formular?"

If they do you won't have to pay the 17% tax.

You could probably order by email/catalog and pay by Konto...straight from your bank account to their bank account.

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

My wife's in the army, and yea, we've used that VAT form to buy our car, tv and some either items. I'm not too worried about my trip tommorow, just gonna pick up some malts, hops and yeast for maybe 2 batches. Guessing the VAT will be about 10 or 12 euro's which I'll pay GLADLY if I finally find a source for ingredients here in Germany.

Thanks for the tip though! I'll be sure to post here tommorow how my trip goes.

Chris

**on a side note, I just cracked open a bottle of my second brew ever (first solo brew) a chocolate oatmeal stout, from extracts and WHEW, it turned out great! IPA frementing at the moment, but seems to be doing quite well itself.

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Figured I'd finish the story here, I set to Spechbach Germany last WEdnesday and its about 1hr 30minutes from me, pure autobahn driving. I got about 20 minutes out and hit some unbelievable stau(traffic). I was sitting, engine off, in the snow for about 45 minutes. Finally, I pulled into a rest area that I luckily hit traffic right next to. I sat there for another 45 minutes and the traffic didn't move. I noticed a car everynow an then going through the bushes of the rest area. I investigated and found a side road there. I decided to chance it and wound up lost as hell, luckily made my way back to the autobahn half an hour later and just drove home. So, I'll try again another day I guess.

 

[Kaiser]

Hi there,

From what I can gather, homebrew stores are indeed not very common in Germany. Many even buy malt directly from the maltster and get yeast from local breweries. Looks like mail-order is the best option for you.

Try hobbybrauer.de and explain them your situation (being from the US and looking for home brew stores). You can do that in english and I think you should get a few responses back. If you want me to post there for you I could do that too. I used to be quite active on this board.

Kai

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Hi Kaiser,

Man, I tried hobbybrauer.de but I could not figure out how to post on the message boards. I've managed to register an account there, but that's it.
Let me know if you have any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong.


Chris

 

[homebrewer_99]

Hi Kaiser,

Man, I tried hobbybrauer.de but I could not figure out how to post on the message boards. I've managed to register an account there, but that's it.
Let me know if you have any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong.


Chris

Hobbybrauer also translates into English. Look for the British flag.

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Hobbybrauer also translates into English. Look for the British flag.

I did, and I tried to post a message, I even wrote it in german and english. I have not idea where or if it wen tthrough though. The english on the site is very bad grammar and choice of words.

 

[Kaiser]

I got you covered.

I posted a message (http://www.hobbybrauer.de/modules.php?name=eBoard&file=viewthread&tid=4201). Let's see what we get.

Kai

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

You rock man! thanks a ton.

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Wow, some good responses. I'm on average 1.5 hours from all those places. Gonna have to make a second attempt at this next week.

 

[Namako]

I've just arrived in country, and just unpacked my brewery. While I moved with several lbs of malt and a good supply of hops, and I carried my yeast with me as checked baggage, I'm going to be needing supplies soon!! Have you had any better luck finding a local supplier here in Germany? If not, I may be back to ordering via Beer, Beer and More Beer (free shipping to APO addresses with an order greater than $70).

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Heidelberg! Good central location, I'm about 1.5 hours west of Heidelberg, actually moving away in a couple weeks... hate I missed you, could've had some good brew trades. Anyway, I did finally work some things out. I got bulk wheat and 2-row from a brauhaus not too far from you: http://brauhaus-wallhall-bruchsal.de/ Besides having the best hefe I've ever tasted, they also sold me 55lb bags of grain for 30 euro. About $40 US. I got specialty grains, hops and yeast either through mail order (http://www.northernbrewer.com) or when I made a trip up to Amsterdam, I found a nice supplies place. About a 4 hour drive from Baumholder, so maybe 5 from you. Great place to visit. I'm a bit envious of you, I'm gonna miss this country, but I'm also glad to be heading back. Have fun over here and make sure you do stuff, don't just sit around on post. Too much to see.

My favorite trips I'd recommend: Camping at Lake Lucern, Switzerland. Amsterdam. Munich. And, Fly over to Ireland and Spain.

 

[Namako]

Sounds like you're over on K-town or Ramstein, maybe Sembach? Thanks for the leads - I'll certainly check them out. I've purchased from Norther Brewers as well, and I like them too. I'm pleased with the support I've received from both, even though they have to deal with me via the USPS - not everyone will do that, as I'm sure you know.

My wife and I have already ventured out to Garmisch, Vicenza, Verona, Venice - of course, you probably recognize all as having military installations nearby. We'll get out of that dependancy pretty quick!! Especially with the Ryan Air fares I've found!!

Happy brewing wherever you're heading - I'll take up the slack here in Germany!!

Michael

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Baumholder, about 20 minutes NW of K-town. Yea, ryan air is amazing, but the pilots scared me to death. Most are irish pilots and they sound so drunk when coming over the loudspeaker.

 

[Namako]

Been there too!! Hey, I checked out the website - it appears you were buying your supplies from and end-user, and still got a pretty darned god price for a bag. I've paid more through MoreBeer, and then had to haul it back to Okinawa in my checked baggage - yeah, I usually get a few funny questions at the airport! If this is normal, I may try the same technique at a brewery in downtown Heidelberg - the Vetter.

Might even talk 'em out of some yeast!!

Enjoy your next duty station, amigo!! If you ever get to Okinawa or Tokyo (Camp Zama), let me know and I'll point you the right way!

Michael