The "Beer Challenge"

9-5-2008

Because Germany is the only place that does beer better than Wisconsin, we all decided that a pub crawl of some sort was in order. A few students did the Euro Youth Hostel pub crawl and from what I hear, it was a crazy good time. I along with the rest

of the students went on a “Beer Challenge” tour that was once again led by the Sandeman’s New Europe tour company. This time we were with Ian. After stopping by a convenience store to grab a traveler (a beer to take with you as your walk/go on the subway), he took us around to some of the happiest places on earth, starting with the Haufbrauhaus.

 

This massive beer hall features a live polka band every day/night and liter steins that women wearing traditional drindls, carry out by the dozen. I don’t know how these tiny girls do it. Chances are if I took one of them on in an arm wrestling match, I’d be crying my way home.  They scury in between hundreds of picnic tables trying to dodge gauking tourist while they carry what is probably the equivalent of a small child in each hand. At the Haufbrauhaus, we learned a traditional drinking song that the band plays every half an hour or so. When they do, the entire hall bellows in unison:

                             "Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der gemutlichkeit"

                             "Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der gemutlichkeit"

Following the Haubrauhaus we ventured to Munich’s beer garden, a well-lit, fenced in park with picnic tables inside and 6,000 people drinking beer.  The atmosphere here as well as in the Haufbrauhaus is incredibly warm and welcoming. People of every age, race, gender, truly enjoying each other’s company, and of course, the beer.

Our night of learning the true art of beer drinking came to an end at the Euro Youth Hostel.  For some, the night was over, for others, i.e. me and a couple friends, the night was still young and Munich was still to be explored.

We ventured to a club called Seasons. The €8 cover charge should have been the first sign that this place was going to be ridiculous. Inside it was your classic “I-paid-way-to-much-for-this-drink-because-I-can-afford-to” kind of place. Psychedelic lights, bimbo dancers on the speakers, and plush leather couches lining the walls. The DJ was decent and we danced until our legs we about to give out. On our way back to the Hostel we stopped a Euro McDonalds (had to just once) to cure our drunken munchies.

At the hostel bar were a few other students who also didn’t think the night was over. We grabbed more beer with them and before too long they too wanted Euro McDonalds. So off we went for a second time and honestly I wasn’t complaining.