Beer Traveller
is a monthly chronicle of Paul Ruschmann's adventures following beer around the world. Why
don't you pour yourself a cold one and come along? The door is always open.
Gardens of Earthly Delights
Spring means it's time to indulge in two great German pleasures: good beer and
the out-of-doors. There's no better place to do so than in a Munich beer garden. May 2002
At the Drop of a Hat
A lost hat, followed by a spell of nasty weather, provided the Beer
Traveller with the perfect excuse to go on a Honolulu brewpub crawl. April 2002
Traveller's Advisory: Silly Beer Laws
Beer Travelers face silly restrictions on what beer they can buy, and where and
when they can buy it. The culprit: Antiquated laws and the lingering spirit of
Prohibition. March 2002
My Top Ten Beer Cities: Part Two
The Beer Traveller continues his virtual tour of the world's top beer cities
with a visit to the five best--and winds it up with a challenge to you, the
reader. February 2002
My Top Ten Beer Cities: Part One
The dead of winter is a perfect time to think about Beer Travelling. To get you
in the mood to hit the road and take to the skies, I've decided to share with
you my list of the world's 10 best beer cities. January 2002
Cerveza y Tapas
The tapeo, Spain's version of a pub crawl, is a moveable feast of food,
drink, and friendship. Nowadays, many people make crisp Spanish Pilsner a part
of this joyous evening ritual. December 2001
Beer in Wine Country
Napa and Sonoma Counties are known the world over for wine, but they have a lot
to offer beer lovers as well. Let's explore the underrated beer scene in
California's Wine Country. November 2001
American Beer: We've Come a Long Way
Notes from a 1993 beer trip to California reveal how much American beer has
improved. They're also a reminder that we have a lot more in common than we
think. October 2001
Oktoberfest...In Your Home Town
Can't make it to Munich this year? Communities all over North America offer
home-grown Oktoberfests which combine Bavarian tradition with fun for all
nationalities, ages, and tastes. September 2001
Denver: A Major League Beer Town
In the Nineties, Denver got a major league franchise and, with the help of
energetic brewers, renovated a faded downtown neighborhood. The result? One of
America's best beer destinations. August 2001
Montreal: Très Magnifique!
Montreal, always a great place to drink, has gained fame for the quality of the
beer poured in its bars. Some of North America's most creative brewmasters
practice their craft here. July 2001
Festival Survival Tips
Attending a beer festival this summer? A bit of planning will make your day more
rewarding. Here are some tips from beer writers and those who work behind the
scenes. July 2001
Toronto's Magic Summer Evenings
Summer in Toronto is short but enchanting; it lures residents and visitors alike
to the city's outdoor cafes and restaurants. It's the perfect atmosphere for an
elegant pub crawl. June 2001
Beer Off the Beaten Path
After rummaging through a pile of notes--and fond memories of journeys past--the
Beer Traveller serves up a six-pack of unusual drinking venues. June 2001
Where I Drink Locally
Ann Arbor, Michigan, my home for 25 years, offers everything from world-class
performing arts to football's Michigan Wolverines. It brews some really
good beer, too. May 2001
A Pilgrimage to Salzburg
Four centuries of craft brewing tradition go into the beer served at the
Augustiner Bräu beer hall in Salzburg, Austria. The monks' handiwork draws
pilgrims from far and wide. May 2001
The Changing Face of London's Pubs
How do London pubs survive these changing times? By preserving what made the pub
a British institution in the first place: friendly surroundings and great beer. April 2001
The Best of Both Worlds
Fort Collins, Colorado, a college town an hour's drive north of Denver, is home
to three family-owned breweries that combine American entrepreneurial spirit and
Old World tradition. April 2001
Play Ball!
Spring has returned and, with it, baseball. Is there anything that goes better
with a ballgame than a tall, frosty beer? Here's a guide to finding good beer
at--and around--major league parks. April 2001
Make This the Year of the Beer Festival
Can't spare the time or money for a beer tour? A festival is a great
alternative. It's an opportunity to try new beers, meet the brewers, and make
friends with fellow beer lovers. March 2001
Munich's Strong Beer Festival
Every March, Munich celebrates Starkbierzeit, a mini-Oktoberfest without
the hordes of tourists. It features traditional Bavarian entertainment, along
with some of the world's most powerful beer. March 2001
A Mother Lode of Beer in Anchorage
Alaska's brewers are living proof that the pioneering spirit hasn't died. In a
few short years, they've catapulted their state into the top tier of American
brewing. February 2001
The Winter's Tale: Barleywine in Alaska
Barleywine, a complex and powerful beverage, is made for sipping on cold winter
nights. Which is why Anchorage, Alaska, is the perfect locale for a barleywine
festival. February 2001
World Class Beer at Cold War Prices
Westernization has meant radical changes for Prague. But you can still drink
flavorful Czech Pilsner in atmospheric old beer halls at prices you haven't
seen in years. January 2001
Brussels: A "Grand Place" for Beer
Visiting Brussels? A perfect indroduction to Belgian beer awaits. You'll enjoy
distinctive styles of beer in traditional surroundings, just blocks from the
city's historic Grand' Place. January 2001
The Soul of Modern America's First Micro
New Albion Brewing Company, often called America's first post-Prohibition
microbrewery, closed its doors in 1982. But its soul lives on in the
wonderfully-named town of Hopland, California. December 2000
Airport Beer Gets an Upgrade
Do your plans include air travel? If so, you can become a Beer Traveller...with
a bit of luck. More and more airports are serving good local beer. Here are some
leads on where to find it. December 2000
The Smoke Beer of Bamberg, Germany
For centuries, breweries in the charming city of Bamberg have been turning out Rauchbier,
a lager with a distinctive smoky taste. Do you know what it has in common with
Scotch whisky? November 2000
Getting to Know Britain's Real Ale
Cask-conditioned ale is a British tradition that beer lovers saved from
extinction. "Real Ale" has started to gain a following in North
America, but you really should enjoy it in the land where it was born. November 2000
A Beer Revolution in British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia, is where Canada's Real Ale revolution started. You
can enjoy craft beers there in a traditional British pub setting or a lively
industrial-style club. October 2000
A Seattle Neighborhood Beer Tour
The Beer Traveller gets a handle on Seattle alehouses, and enjoys some fresh
locally-brewed beer, in the Emerald City's most offbeat neighborhood. October 2000
Beervana! Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, has more brewpubs per capita than other city. The Beer
Traveller visits some of the best, and describes what's on tap there. October 2000
What's Brewing on Hawaii's "Big Island"?
The Big Island is paradise for beer lovers, too. Take a virtual tour of the
island's two breweries, and discover why their beer is a perfect match for
Hawaii's diverse cuisine. September 2000
Europe's Second Most Famous Beer Hall
History and mass tourism come together at U Fleku, a 500-year-old beer hall in
downtown Prague. Find out what makes this venerable establishment so popular. September
2000
Düsseldorf's Altbier: Old Style German Ale
Düsseldorf, Germany, is famous for a malty, copper-colored ale known as altbier.
Learn more about this unique style of beer, and find out how and where you can enjoy it. August 2000
Hopping Along Ontario's Ale Trail: Day Two
The Beer Traveller spends his second day along Ontario's Ale Trail in Guelph,
where he visits craft breweries old and new and learns a bit of beer trivia. August 2000
Hopping Along Ontario's Ale Trail: Day One
Ontario's Ale Trail is a monthly open house sponsored by six of the province's
craft breweries. Here's the Beer Traveller's report on a pleasant Saturday
afternoon of beer tasting. July 2000
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