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German Beer & Sausage
If you like great beer, you’re not the only one. Many people around the world do, and that’s one of the reasons that they attend the Oktoberfest. When people go to Germany for that festival, they expect to drink some of the finest beer in the world. With several German breweries offering beer, how do you know which ones to choose? Well, we decided to do a review of the 10 best German beers that you are going to enjoy, especially when you have it while eating sausages.
With the biggest beer festival taking place in Munich, Germany, and then being replicated all over the world, German beer is something to take note of. However, you don’t have to go to Oktoberfest to drink the best German beer. Here is a list of ten of the best German beers, rated based on customer reviews on Total Wine, as well as ratings on Beer Advocate. Depending on your state’s laws you may not be able to have beer shipped to you, but you can still add them to your basket and pick them up at your local Total Wine depending on their availability.
10. Uerige DoppelSticke
Our number 10 best German beer is rated 92 out of 100 on Beer Advocate. With an 8.5% ABV, this beer is described as a well-balanced malty and sweet medium-bodied beer. It pours a clear dark brown color with deep amber hints in the light, and it tastes like sweet malt, paired with fruit and toffee. The Uerige DoppelSticke smells wonderfully of dark fruit and herbs and has a presence of low hop bitterness throughout. It’s quite strong in flavor, so we recommend it to those who enjoy their beer very sweet. One 11oz bottle sells for $7.49 on Total Wine.
9. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
Our next-best German beer has 2 four-star reviews on Total Wine and a 92 rating on Beer Advocate. It has a 6.6% ABV and pours a cloudy dark amber hue. This medium-bodied beer is described as malty, toasty, smoky and smooth. It also has a deep smoky aroma, paired with the scent of wood, oak, and faint fruit. The flavors mirror the smell and are sometimes even described as smoked meat paired with the sweetness of malt. Despite the smokiness, it’s easy to drink, and it feels smooth in the mouth. One 16.9oz bottle sells for $5.99 on Total Wine.
8. Schneider Wiesen Edel-Weisse
Number 8 best German beer on our list has been rated a 93 on Beer Advocate. It pours a rich orange/gold color and is a bit foggy due to the yeast in the beer. The Schneider Wiesen Edel-Weisse has an ABV of 6.2%. Its high carbonation is visible upon pouring and has aromas of cloves, spices, and lemon. This German beer tastes like pepper, wheat, hop bitterness, and fruit which are only enhanced as it warms. It is also described as a medium-bodied fruity wheat beer. One 16.9oz bottle sells for $4.99.
7. Kulmbacher Reichelbrau Eisbock
The next best German beer on our list has been rated 93 on Beer Advocate, and it has a 9.2% ABV. It pours a creamy dark brown with hints of ruby that become visible under the light. It smells of malt, dark fruits, and toffee. This beer tastes like malt, balanced with flavors of caramel and bread crusts. This medium-bodied beer is also very smooth. It’s on sale for $11.99 for a 6-pack of 12oz bottles on Total Wine.
6. Weihenstephaner Vitus
Weihenstephaner Vitus earned a 95 rating on Beer Advocate and three five-star reviews on Total Wine. It has an ABV of 7.7% and pours a golden yellow. This German beer gives off aromas of dried apricots, cloves, citrus, and hints of banana. It tastes like banana, honey, and cloves with a finish of hop bitterness. It is a fruity beer packed with malt flavor. As it is medium-bodied it is the best German beer for red meats, strong cheeses, and even desserts. A 6-pack of 12oz bottles sells for $10.49 on Total Wine.
5. Weihenstephaner HefeWeissbier Dark
Our number five best German beer has two five-star reviews on Total Wine and a 96 on Beer Advocate. It has a 5.3% ABV. It’s a dark wheat beer with creamy white foam on top when poured. This German beer smells like banana and wheat and tastes like it, too. It has a hefty amount of carbonation and is described as a medium-bodied, fruity, and malty beer. One 16.9oz bottle sells for $3.49 on Total Wine.
4. Schneider Aventinus Wheat Doppel
The number four best German beer has 4 five-star reviews on Total Wine and a 96 on Beer Advocate. With an 8.2% ABV, this one pours a dark ruby hue. It has sweet aromas of caramel, raisins, bananas, and spices, and it tastes like banana bread, brown sugar, and caramel. This medium-bodied beer, paired with mild carbonation, makes for a smooth and creamy drink. One 16.9oz bottle sells for $3.99 on Total Wine.
3. Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel
The third best German beer on our list is the Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel. With a 96 on Beer Advocate, this 7.1% ABV beer pours a deep copper color mixed with a lovely burgundy. It smells of warm caramel, toffee and dried fruit, and it tastes like toffee with hints of coffee and caramel. Soft carbonation makes for a smooth velvety feel, and is described as malty, rich, and full-bodied. A 4 pack of 11oz bottles for sells for $10.49 on Total Wine.
2. Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
The second-best beer on our list of the top 10 best German beers is the Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock. This one has three five star reviews on Total Wine and a 98 rating on Beer Advocate. It has a 6.7% ABV and pours a dark amber, almost black color. This popular German beer smells of coffee, roasted malts, fruit and molasses. Its layered flavors are coffee, plum, roasted malt, and chocolate mixed with a slight smokiness. A 4 pack of 11oz bottles sells for $10.49 on Total Wine.
1. Best German Beer – Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
Our number one best German beer is Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier. It has 17 five star reviews on Total Wine and an almost perfect score of 99 on Beer Advocate. This beer has an ABV of 5.4% and pours a lovely cloudy golden yellow. It gives off aromas of fruity bananas, cloves and yeast, and it tastes just like it smells. The Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is highly carbonated, making it very refreshing. This is a medium to full-bodied beer that is smooth with well-balanced flavors. On Total Wine this German beer sells for $9.99 when purchasing a 6 pack of 12oz bottles.
Conclusion
So, the next time you’re out on a beer run think about trying one of these amazing German beers. Hopefully, this list will guide you in picking the best one for you. Beer connoisseurs might also like to read our review of best Belgian beers you can find at your local store.
We’ve provided a list of 10 German beers, as well as their rating and price. The great thing about beer is that it’s affordable enough for you to try all ten of them. Nothing is stopping you from doing that. After all, that’s the only way you’re going to know which one is the best. Ratings from other people help, but the only way to truly know for yourself is by trying these beers.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of our recommendations, or tell us of any incredible German beers we may have missed.