By Stuart Whytcross

Bamberg, unlike most German cities, managed to escape obliteration during the Second World War. Because of this, its architecture reflects around 1000 years of history, and this brings many tourists to the town. In 1993 UNESCO declared Bamberg to be a World Heritage City, and in 2006 the European Beer Consumers Union declared Bamberg to be a World Beer Heritage City.

With nine breweries producing over 60 different beers, two large malting facilities in Weyermann Malz and Bamberger Mälzerei, the world’s oldest manufacturer of brewing systems, Kaspar Schulz, and the Franconian Brewery Museum, it’s a title that this town rightfully deserves. And all in a geographic area smaller than Bendigo!

If that’s not enough to impress you, within a 35km radius of Bamberg, you’ll find another 100 breweries. The train ride from Munich to Bamberg is also quite impressive, passing acres of hop farms.

Apon arrival at the Bamberg station you are greeted by the impressive home of Weyermann Maltings.

Weyermann maltings was founded in 1879, and back then it comprised of just a simple roasting drum and a tarpaulin cover (Photo © Weyermann).

The maltings have since gone on to survive two world-wars, and last year celebrated its 130th anniversary. For anyone interested, the Weyermann website has and excellent timeline of events of the history of Weyermann maltings. The Weyermann family are very friendly and on request will take you on a guided tour of the maltings.

One interesting concept that I was told about is the Weyermann Pilot Brewery, which upon request is open to creative international brewers to experiment with Weyermann malts in their pilot brewery. Weyermann have listed some of these recipes on their website.

Accommodation

Our accommodation for the week was Brauerei Spezial, directly opposite Fassla Brauerei. They provide pub style accommodation, with rooms costing about 55 Euro per night. The rooms are located upstairs from the brauhaus, and the price includes a very impressive breakfast.

The rooms are simple but nice for pub accommodation, with loads of little ledges to place your beers on, which can be brought up from the bar at any time you wish!

One of the more fascinating things is that the rooms and corridors are decorated with old brewing equipment from the brewery downstairs, such as this grain mill with hardwood rollers.

A very impressive, and intricate, set of bookends, and an equally impressive vintage bottling-machine.

Next up, a massive article featuring the beers of Bamberg.