After 2 days drinking in Bamberg a hardy 8 decided on a trip to the nearby town of Forchheim a 15 minute train journey towards Nurnberg. Arriving in a strange town with only the names of streets to go by meant we needed to purchase a cheap map at the station. Our destination found we had to navigate across the town square which was holding a sale of children's toys, a kind of blanket sale where youngsters sell of their surplus/used toys to younger kids. The buildings abounding the square have a distinctive Swiss charm with steep roofs and shuttered windows.
Our first stop is the cafe of the Brauerei Greif with wooden tables and chairs outside. By now the sun is shining bright so we seek the shelter of a brewery umbrella. A large range of beers, pale and dark unfiltered wheat beers, pale and dark lagers and Pils (5.3%) the latter seems the popular choice as a hangover cure. The beer was pleasant and a great first drink of the day. Founded in 1848 the brewery is still in the same family, the cafe is nothing special inside but we decide to stay for a glass of Dark Lager (5.2%). Our next stop was a literally a short hop and we had only moved approx 20 yards when we found ourselves outside the Brauerei Hebendanz. The colourful outside is a bit misleading as the cafe is basic with minimal decoration: a local's hostelry. Again we decide to sit outside and order Pils. Established in 1579, so should know what they are doing, the beer was hoppy and refreshing just what was need after the long two strides we took! 
If the last cafe was a short hop away the next stop was next door: the Brauerei Neder. No tables outside so we ventured inside the bar which was well populated but we found a large table, the bar had unusual lamp fixtures with plants lining the windowsills. We ordered from the friendly landlady the house beer direct from a wooden barrel. Either our taste buds had woken up or this was the best beer so far. Stephen joined us but fish was off the menu. Before we could order a second beer the wooden barrel ran out but using a sort of dummy waiter a new barrel was in place within minutes. The landlord was called over and he tapped the new barrel before returning to his card game. A second beer was ordered and enjoyed before we decided to move on as hunger was calling. 
The fourth call was a stroll away so with map in hand we set off to find the Brauerei Eichhorn a large frontage with a wooden door which led to a small courtyard with the bar on the right with a typical wooden franconian decor. Pils was ordered whilst we tried to make sense of the menu and with the help of our fellow drinkers lunch was organised. The Pils was pleasant but not as tasty as the beer from the previous brauerei's but the food was just what was required to satisfy 8 + 1 hungry travellers. 
Whilst in Forchheim we were curious as to the reason some of the houses had the names of the 3 wise men, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar and the year chalked over their doors. This we discovered was a local custom and done as sign of good luck to the inhabitants of the house. We leave Forchheim a delightful town with a great brewing heritage as it is time to head back to the station and return to Bamberg.
Our first stop is the cafe of the Brauerei Greif with wooden tables and chairs outside. By now the sun is shining bright so we seek the shelter of a brewery umbrella. A large range of beers, pale and dark unfiltered wheat beers, pale and dark lagers and Pils (5.3%) the latter seems the popular choice as a hangover cure. The beer was pleasant and a great first drink of the day. Founded in 1848 the brewery is still in the same family, the cafe is nothing special inside but we decide to stay for a glass of Dark Lager (5.2%). Our next stop was a literally a short hop and we had only moved approx 20 yards when we found ourselves outside the Brauerei Hebendanz. The colourful outside is a bit misleading as the cafe is basic with minimal decoration: a local's hostelry. Again we decide to sit outside and order Pils. Established in 1579, so should know what they are doing, the beer was hoppy and refreshing just what was need after the long two strides we took! If the last cafe was a short hop away the next stop was next door: the Brauerei Neder. No tables outside so we ventured inside the bar which was well populated but we found a large table, the bar had unusual lamp fixtures with plants lining the windowsills. We ordered from the friendly landlady the house beer direct from a wooden barrel. Either our taste buds had woken up or this was the best beer so far. Stephen joined us but fish was off the menu. Before we could order a second beer the wooden barrel ran out but using a sort of dummy waiter a new barrel was in place within minutes. The landlord was called over and he tapped the new barrel before returning to his card game. A second beer was ordered and enjoyed before we decided to move on as hunger was calling. The fourth call was a stroll away so with map in hand we set off to find the Brauerei Eichhorn a large frontage with a wooden door which led to a small courtyard with the bar on the right with a typical wooden franconian decor. Pils was ordered whilst we tried to make sense of the menu and with the help of our fellow drinkers lunch was organised. The Pils was pleasant but not as tasty as the beer from the previous brauerei's but the food was just what was required to satisfy 8 + 1 hungry travellers. Whilst in Forchheim we were curious as to the reason some of the houses had the names of the 3 wise men, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar and the year chalked over their doors. This we discovered was a local custom and done as sign of good luck to the inhabitants of the house. We leave Forchheim a delightful town with a great brewing heritage as it is time to head back to the station and return to Bamberg. Being around the back of the train station when we arrive back in Bamberg, we decided to visit the Cafe Abseits to sample some Maibock's (spring beers). Great little beer garden, great selection of regional breweries beers. For details of what beers we drank please contact the waitress (seem to remember her asking me on the night without much luck!! ED). Our walk back to the hotel was slightly meandering and many thanks to the birthday boy who was visiting his second girlfriend of the night, but took time out from his schedule of indiscretions to make sure we did not get lost.
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