Kuala Lumpur - Weiss Brau

I don't drink beer as much as I used to, being gluten intolerant I didn't realize it was really effecting me until recently and that I tend to feel so much better (in comparison) after a night of drinking cider or wine or spirits instead. So whilst I'll drink it if it's there, if there is another option (like cider!) I usually opt for that instead.

However, one weakness I do have, after spending 6 months in Germany back in 2008, is German beer. Like, the real stuff. And I will jump through hoops (on fire? Maybe) if I can get it on tap.

Which is how we ended up in a German restaurant in Malaysia on an exceedingly disgusting humid evening.

Rough, rustic walls and dark solid timber, solid, sturdy furniture, you don't need a lot to capture the look of a charming old pub in the Aldstadt. Although to be honest I generally found them a bit brighter and with more wood rather than concrete on the walls...but who's really to be picky here?

So let's get back to beer for a bit. Why do I like German beer? I think the biggest thing for me is that it's a whole lot less gassy than pretty much every other beer, it goes down like water for me. It's not overly sweet, not overly bubbly. I love the dark beers, as long as they're not too bitter, which you don't really seem to get in any other country. Not like this anyway.

So of course I could not resist tucking into the Erdbringer dark beer, it really went down like sweet water, so easy to drink!

My Dad opted for the huge-ass Hoegarden, which I hate from the bottle, I reckon it tastes really smokey, but on tap, I adore it. I love the spicy yet fruity tones in it. Although in my eyes, German beer still wins over Belgium, if purely because it's less gassy. I suppose since I don't drink soft drink (unless I'm having it with alcohol, which is still not that often), I'm not so adjusted to bubbles. What do you guys reckon? Any of you beer drinkers or do you have a different poison?

Naturally with a good dose of beer, you need a good dose of food as well. We contemplated a long time whether we needed the sausage platter or not, but ended up just choosing a few dishes to share...which fortunately was the right choice as we were very comfortably satiated afterwards. I insisted we get the bratwurst, not incredibly memorable. I have fond memories of the bratwurst I used to get from a stand, right outside of the main train station in Dusseldorf, so naturally have quite high expectations. It wasn't bad in flavour, but the texture put me off a bit, it was a bit too soft, reminded me a bit more of a weisswurst (which are from Bavaria, typically had for breakfast and typically boiled).

We also go the the Nurnbergers, which I think are more along the lines with what I was expecting of what they called the Bratwurst. I did enjoy these more, they were a bit meatier (albeit smaller) in taste.

Lastly, we were very excited to order the pork knuckle, both my parents had visited me at various times while I was in Germany and I had exposed the both of them to beautiful and huge, roasted pork knuckles with delicious crackling skin. When this was presented in front of us, we were baffled, it was so small! Although the price reflected that I suppose, although it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be either. The meat was a bit tough and definitely not crispy. Shame!

Being in Germany tuned in my taste buds to falling in love with good, hot mustard. I always enjoy having it with my meat when I can. However I was kind of baffled I could get disappointing mustard, I mean yes, sometimes it's too mild for me, but it's never really been off putting. This one was not just mild, but the texture was really not very pleasant. It was very watery and more liquid like than I expected. I like a dollop of mustard on my plate thank you, not drizzled over my meat like a sauce!

So Weiss Brau, a little bit disappointing with the food, but at least there was beer to drown my sorrows in. Tasty, tasty beer. I need to find somewhere that has this stuff in Melbourne, any suggestions?

Weiss Brau

Pavillion

168 Jalan Bukit Bintang

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia