Only in Munich by Duncan J.D. Smith

154 58 Ramersdorf – Perlach An Experimental Brewery Ramersdorf – Perlach, the Forschungsbrauerei at Unterhachinger Strasse 76 S7 Perlach; Bus 55 Munich is probably as famous for its rich brewing heritage as anything else, and the city offers any number of beer halls and beer gardens in which to sample these liquid delights. For something a little different, however, why not take a trip out to the suburb of Perlach, where along- side the S-Bahn line, amongst market gardens, a family-run micro- brewery offering its own distinctive beers. In 1930, after 25 years spent working in the brewing business, mas- ter brewer Gottfried Jakob realised his dream of opening a private ex- perimental brewery (Forschungsbrauerei) at Unterhachinger Strasse 76. His goal was to develop new brewing technologies and thus produce better quality beers, whilst still adhering to the Reinheitsgebot brewing law of 1516 restricting the ingredients to only barley malt, yeast, hops, and water. The results were tried and tested by local patrons in a small bar attached to the brewery. Through his numerous writings and pat- ents Jakob was able to pass on the results of his research to his succes- sors, and it is this unique heritage that makes a visit to the Forschungs- brauerei so special today. Now managed by Stefan Jakob, the founder’s grandson, the For­ schungsbrauerei easily matches the beers produced by Munich’s brew- ing giants, whilst electing to remain small and unaffected by mass production. It offers a pair of unique, high-quality beers, namely the wonderfully hoppy Pilsissi- mus (5.2%), a light, golden- yellow lager beer (Helles) with a fine head of foam, and the famed St. Jakobus Blonder Bock (7.5%), a full-bodied, honey-coloured strong beer (Doppelbock) . The latter by tradition can be served a week before the city’s Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Season) officially opens on 19 th March (St. Jo- seph’s Day) (see no. 30). Beer at Perlach’s Forschungsbrauerei is only served in Keferloher ceramic tankards