A toast to Scottish lager Innis & Gunn on winning gold in the Olympics of Beer, but patriotism aside Czech Pilsner is the first among Urquells for us.
Innis & Gunn’s successes in the Country and Taste Categories and silver in the Taste category at the World Beer Awards is deserved for a fuller lager.
With Scotland not known for its lager, whisky yes, but amber nectar.
With the electric fizzy Tennent’s the template for the less sophisticated Scottish palate.
Until, of course, you get out to see what proper lager is all about at the Nirvana of Nectar, Oktoberfest in Munich.
Not that any amount of Tennent’s can prepare you for steins of the finest Hofbrau, Lowenbrau or Paulaner.
Thing is though that once savoured you’ll never go back to electric fizzy beer.
And so began a life mission to road test as many different lagers.
Across the world’s great lager-drinking nations of the world to find out which is best.
So here are my alternative podium, my 1-2-3, or top of the froths if you will.
Czechs mate
Pilsner Urquell: And any reason to flag up the oft-repeated claim that the Czechs drink more lager than any other country in the world per head of population.
And that Czech Pilsner is the first among Urquells.
Our Bohemian friends don’t just drink it, they also bathe in it.
And if you want to try something more left-field then the Loket Ruby beer was so good I took as much of it back with me in my luggage as I could.
Best of the Fest
Hofbrau: And a big-up to the classic Bavarian beer in an attempt to get my ban lifted from 1986.
For trying to split up Bayern and Nuremberg female football fans from fighting, for which I copped a broken nose.
Hofbrau, which is protected under the German Purity Law, is the quintessential Bavarian beer.
But don’t take the word of a tipsy Scot coralled by Aussies and Kiwis. Ask, of all people the Swedes.
During the Thirty Years’ War in 1632, Munich was besieged by Swedish troops but they came up with a wizard wheeze to get them to stop.
They offered the Swedes 23,168 litres from the Hofbräuhaus to spare their city.
These days the celebrated Hofbrauhuis is the best place to clink your steins and sing Ein Prosit.
While your own award-winning Travel Editor is clearly being seen in a different light.
With Ruby Lilly and Ruby Rosi dropping me what they’re offering which is a 24-hour bar service for residents.
With rates from €331 per room per night during Oktoberfest, or from €123 at other times.
Check the Ruby Hotels website for rates, booking and the Oktoberfest Guide.
Beers to American IPA
American IPA: OK, I’m cheating here because every time I find a favourite American lager I go to another state and am knocked out by a new one.
I’ve been knocked over by lagers from Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles, perfect prep.
For your La La Land trip to see Los Angeles Angels baseball game.
Through Denver, which bills itself as the beer capital of the US.
And where because it’s the Mile High City you get twice as drunk for half as much.
And Colorado and Avery Brewing Company where Travis works as a beerologist.
Tracing ancient booze from the Biblical times… and I still want his job.
Down to Texas and its Shiner Bock which will salve even the salsaiest Tex-Mex food.
Popping into Mississippi and sopping up your soul food and grits.
Before paying tribute to Old Sam himself, Samuel Adams in Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution and the American story at Samuel Adams Tap Rooms.