http://www.franconiabeerguide.com/discuss.asp/ A virtual Stammtisch for discussing Franconian beer en-gb http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGILast week the results for the European Beer Star were announced. Results for Franconian breweries: Consumers Favourite, Silver: South German-Style Weizenbock pale, Gold: Brauerei-Gasthof Drei Kronen Scheßlitz Deutschland Drei Kronen Weizenbock (very nice result for my good friend Sepp Lindner, he was quite stunned) European Light Lager, Bronze: Schlossbrauerei Reckendorf Georg Dirauf GmbH & Co. KG Reckendorf Deutschland Recken Light European-Style Dark, Silber: Brauerei Göller Zeil am Main Deutschland Göller Dunkel Red and amber coloured beer, Silber: Privatbrauerei Günther-Bräu Burgkunstadt Deutschland Edeles Lagerbier Bernsteinfarbig Smoked Beer, Gold: Brauerei Rittmayer Hallerndorf OHG Hallerndorf Deutschland Rauchbier South German-Style Weizenbock pale, Gold: Brauerei-Gasthof Drei Kronen Scheßlitz Deutschland Drei Kronen Weizenbock Not Franconian, but nearby: Kellerbier dark, Gold: Sperber Bräu Sulzbach-Rosenberg Deutschland Knorr von Rosenroth Zoigl dunkel Kellerpils (unfiltered), Gold: Sperber Bräu Sulzbach-Rosenberg Deutschland Zoigl-Bier Full results at http://www.european-beer-star.de/ OT: Among the winners are some of the usual suspects, like Firestone-Walker, Stone, Rogue. Very nice was also the Imperial Stout from Birrificio Ducato. And An de Ryck received Gold in the category Belgian Tripel, for the Arend Tripel.http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGI01Also "Not Franconian, but nearby" (i.e. Oberpfalz): Unfilterd and unbunged lager, Silber, Privatbrauerei Würth, Windischeschenbach Deutschland, Würth Zoigl. In oktober I brought bottles home of the two Sperber-Beers, and last week bought some Würth Zoigl .....http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGI02What's a Kellerpils? This categorification sounds suspiciously BJCP/AHA/GABF-like. That Hallerndorfer Rauchbier is a fine, lightly smokey treat indeed, especially in a tulip pint glass up on the Kreuzberg, albeit much too gassy.http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGI0201The category descriptions are available from the EBS website, albeit that I think there is a strong bias towards getting as many as possible german style categories, where there is a shortage of non-german categories. There is specially a lack of belgian styles and american styles, and specially the belgian style descriptions that are now available do need adjustment. I'm working on that, I'm having good contacts with the organisers of the EBS. But I need time. Joshttp://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGJThe most recent issue of German Life magazine (Dec/Jan) has a 3 page article titled "Following the Franconian Beer Routes". There are 12 (small) color photos, and a sidebar mention of this website as a source to purchase John Conen's book on the area. It's nice to see Franconia getting a little more publicity. Check out the magazine if you get a chance. The website is: http://www.germanlife.com/index.htmlhttp://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGJ01I am glad for the mention, but I think I only have 3 or 4 copies of John's book left!http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGJ0101It seems to me theres more and more stuff about Franconia as the Germans begin to realise what a gem theyve got. Theres the site highlighted earlier by Jos and the Bierweg am Stiegerwald which someone highlighted here about 6 months ago. Would love to hear a trip report if anyones done it BTW. There always seem to be plenty of German tourists in the Fassla when we stay there. My dread is that English stag parties discover Bamberg, but I think were a long way from that, hopefully.http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGKInteresting link: http://www.bierland-oberfranken.de/ Also new to me: the Fünf-Seidla Steig: a walking route around Gräfenberg, along 5 breweries in the area: Klosterbrauerei Weissenohe, Friedmann and Lindenbräu in Gräfenberg, Hofmann in Hohenschwärz and the new brewpub Elch-Bräu in Thuisbrunn. I also visited the new brewpub in Pretzfeld, Nikl-Bräu. It's open on Fri-Sat-Sun from 9:00 (AM), and Mon and Thurs from 17:00. Closed Tues and Wed. I'll try to post some pix shortly.http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGLI was thinking of new places to visit from my base in Bamberg, and someone suggested Amberg. There are a good number of breweries there. Worth the train ride (~ 2 hours each way)? http://franconiabeerguide.com/discussdet.asp?IDKEY=ZZGL01Jimbo, I had beer from 2 or 3 of the breweries when I rode thru there in August. The beer was good, but I don't think it was worth 4 hours on the train from Bamberg. As a "stop over" from A to B, yes it would be worth an evening so so to explore. From what I had, I'd put it below Regensburg, Kelheim, Munich. Even little Berching with its two breweries had more interesting beer.