Though Oktoberfest may have concluded, the spirit of the annual German celebration lives on in the form of select brews still gracing retail store shelves. If you’re on the hunt for distinctive German beers, consider the recommendations of Anne Becerra, New York City’s first female Cicerone and the beverage director for Treadwell Park, a proud host of two craft beer halls in Manhattan.
Anne Becerra, who manages the beverage program at Treadwell Park, expressed her profound admiration for German beer culture, which extends beyond the brews themselves.
“I love the pride, the attention to detail, the consistency, the glassware, the camaraderie — all of it,” she shares. “I especially love the unpasteurized, unfiltered, delicate zwicklelbiers and kellerbiers that are truly at their finest when enjoyed fresh from the source. The same applies to some of my favorites that make their way to the United States.”
Becerra’s first choice is Schlenkerla Weichsel, an offering with a history dating back to the 15th century, hailing from Bamberg, Germany, courtesy of the Schlenkerla brewery.
“It’s a rotbier, or red lager — a style particularly favored in Nuremberg and Franconia,” she explains. “Schlenkerla is renowned for its rauchbier, or smoked beer. The brewery smokes its malts over beechwood fires, infusing the finished beer with delightful smoky, campfire nuances. The Weischel is smoked over high-quality cherrywood, imparting slightly sweet and fruity notes alongside the rich smokiness. With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of just 4.6%, it’s ideal for extended celebrations.”
Additionally, Becerra urges aficionados to explore three German dunkelweizen beers originating in Bavaria: Ayinger Urweisse, Andechs Weissbier Dunkel, and Schneider Weisse Original. Ayinger Brewery, situated between Munich and the Alps, has crafted beer for over 140 years in Aying. Andechs, a Benedictine monastery brewery, has been producing beer in Andechs since 1455. Meanwhile, Schneider Weisse stands proudly in Kelheim near the Danube River.
For those with a penchant for exceptional German beer, Anne Becerra’s recommendations offer a delightful journey into the world of timeless brews and a rich beer culture that continues to captivate enthusiasts around the globe.
