IVE got some in-laws coming to visit soon. The younger ones of the group are my wifes cousins they are staying with us. They have never been to america. They are in their mid twenties and from what I understand they dont have any plans of what they want to do while they are here. So I am trying to think of a few things to do with them. We plan on having a Cook out/ party, going to a cincinnati reds baseball game, and im thinking maybe they would like to participate in a brewday. From their Facebook pages i gather they enjoy drinking beer. So I need a recipe. i have a bag of best malz pilsner. I am looking for stuff that has ingredients with names they may recognize. Plus any ideas for stuff to do with them. I think largely they are content to visit with family and go with the flow, but a few backup ideas up the sleeve could be helpful
well, how long are they stayin’? If you intend for them to drank the beer you brew together, that is relevant.
The first thought that comes to my head is a recipe I’ve brewed so many times. It is a multiple award winner, if that matters. It is in general terms (too drunk to find my book) a SMaSH beer – Bestmalz Pilz, Saaz hops, and American yeast (SAF05). I try to emulate Pilzn water profile by using distilled water and adding salts. Go for 50 - 55 OG and 15-20 IBU, and using a couple oz of Saaz for “aroma”. So damneable goooowd. Trust me on this one. If they happen to be stayin’ for three weeks, yer golden. Two weeks to ferment (minimal) and one week to carb (minimanl)l.
…soary. Fergot mention that is wut I call my American Blonde. It is my house stock ale.
…now I’ve divulged my most important brewery secret 
My wife is from Cologne, so I have/had in-laws and her friends constantly over the past 9 yeàrs. .Have fun, but a few things to understand:
-Our APA’s and IPA’s aren’t beer to them, rather something that belongs in the fruit juice aisle.
-The avg german knows nothing about beer styles or brewing, just drinking beer they like, which will be 3 different styles at best. They really don’t care about the process, just a well balanced result.
-
Unless you plan to serve German beer, find craft breweries that that do make good balanced German style beers. Otherwise, sounds funny, but BMC will work- back to balance.
-
As for things to do, they want to experience America (besides the overly bitter beers), so things like the Reds baseball game is perfect. For your cookout, anything that screams USA like ribs or BBQ chicken is a must. Also big fluffy American pizzas and giant burgers!!
Viel Gluck and have fun!!!
[quote=“brewingdan”]As for things to do, they want to experience America (besides the overly bitter beers), so things like the Reds baseball game is perfect. For your cookout, anything that screams USA like ribs or BBQ chicken is a must. Also big fluffy American pizzas and giant burgers!!
Viel Gluck and have fun!!![/quote]
Exactly on mark. Giant burgers, ribs, BBQ chicken, corn-on-the-cob, apple or cherry pie. Also, don’t get offended, but they will probably want Tex-Mex as well (somehow that seems typically “American” to Europeans). Reds game and a Nascar race if you can. And a county fair.
I’ve served my homebrew to some german friends a few times, and have gotten compliments (when they’ve been balanced, not too hoppy). But the only time I’ve gotten amazed reactions is when I served my Raspberry Wheat (Kristal, not Heff). They had never tasted anything like it, and talk about it every time I’ve seen them since.
My questions is… Will you be taking them here at all?
http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/Welcome to the Hofbräuhaus
, modeled after the legendary 400+ year-old Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany! Guests are now able to enjoy many of the traditions from Germany that have made Hofbräuhaus famous. From the traditionally decorated rooms in the building to the beer that is brewed on-site, and of course the excellent German fare, Hofbräuhaus Newport is a memorable experience for all.
3rd & Saratoga
at the Levee
200 East 3rd St.
Newport, KY 41071
[quote=“fullhousebrew”]My questions is… Will you be taking them here at all?
http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/Welcome to the Hofbräuhaus
, modeled after the legendary 400+ year-old Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany! Guests are now able to enjoy many of the traditions from Germany that have made Hofbräuhaus famous. From the traditionally decorated rooms in the building to the beer that is brewed on-site, and of course the excellent German fare, Hofbräuhaus Newport is a memorable experience for all.
3rd & Saratoga
at the Levee
200 East 3rd St.
Newport, KY 41071[/quote]
Wife and i love going there before Ball games cause we can walk across the bridge to the stadium or take the ferry. We considered that and will let them decide they may be all for it but they may not.
I figured they may be shocked if I take them to a dark american sports bar force them to eat overly spiced chicken wings and wash it down with overly bitter beer. Stark contrast to eating pretzels and drinking pilsner in a sunny bier garden.
[quote=“bdaugherty”][quote=“fullhousebrew”]My questions is… Will you be taking them here at all?
http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/Welcome to the Hofbräuhaus
, modeled after the legendary 400+ year-old Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany! Guests are now able to enjoy many of the traditions from Germany that have made Hofbräuhaus famous. From the traditionally decorated rooms in the building to the beer that is brewed on-site, and of course the excellent German fare, Hofbräuhaus Newport is a memorable experience for all.
3rd & Saratoga
at the Levee
200 East 3rd St.
Newport, KY 41071[/quote]
Wife and i love going there before Ball games cause we can walk across the bridge to the stadium or take the ferry. We considered that and will let them decide they may be all for it but they may not.
I figured they may be shocked if I take them to a dark american sports bar force them to eat overly spiced chicken wings and wash it down with overly bitter beer. Stark contrast to eating pretzels and drinking pilsner in a sunny bier garden.[/quote]
Oh no, they’d love it. Chicken wings are getting increasingly popular in bigger cities. Sports bars are very American.
[quote=“brewingdan”]My wife is from Cologne, so I have/had in-laws and her friends constantly over the past 9 yeàrs. .Have fun, but a few things to understand:
-Our APA’s and IPA’s aren’t beer to them, rather something that belongs in the fruit juice aisle.
-The avg german knows nothing about beer styles or brewing, just drinking beer they like, which will be 3 different styles at best. They really don’t care about the process, just a well balanced result.
-
Unless you plan to serve German beer, find craft breweries that that do make good balanced German style beers. Otherwise, sounds funny, but BMC will work- back to balance.
-
As for things to do, they want to experience America (besides the overly bitter beers), so things like the Reds baseball game is perfect. For your cookout, anything that screams USA like ribs or BBQ chicken is a must. Also big fluffy American pizzas and giant burgers!!
Viel Gluck and have fun!!![/quote]
I figured they wouldn’t be brewing geeks like me but there may be a few days that we are just hanging around the house. We could stand around in the garage and attempt to get over they language barrier while I make some beer. (I already got some translation apps for my phone)
The beers that will likely be on tap when they are here are: classic american pilsner, Brown oatmeal mild, and Dennys waldo lake amber. This selection by chance is more balanced than my normal offerings. Ill take them to a bottle Shop and let them pick out some stuff to suplement. But I will probably attempt to push some dipa on them for fun.
Since your in Lebanon, your not too far from Yellow Springs, great place to go hiking, lots of little shops and now this place http://yellowspringsbrewery.com/ if your looking to get out of the house.
I knew a German who would not eat with fingers. My boss insisted she order ribs, it was comical to see her try those with a knife. More than one shot off the plate and onto the floor.
Burgers and fries, pizza, the great outdoors all seem like excellent ideas. Strip club? NASCAR or car racing in the area? Shooting range? God forbid, the mall?
A bag of Best Malz pils and a pound of Hallertau is a great recipe for a big batch of pils!
Actually, make sure you take them to a supermarket. It’s amazing how different the selection and prices are from country to country. Also, a trip to a Walmart, Target or Best Buy might be a mind-blowing experience to them. Big box stores have not made it to Germany. Walmart tried and failed.
I have been to the Hofbräuhaus a few times myself. I have absolutely loved it, although I will admit I have no idea how close (or not close) to the real thing it is.
Corn on the cob will likely freak them out!
At least it did when I lived in Germany…Corn was for feeding the livestock!
I turned my neighbors on to corn on the cob, and corn in various salads…They loved it!
- 1 on taking them shopping here, the stores and prices are much different, and their Euro will have some shopping clout, with the exchange rate!
Ya, take them to:
- Wal Mart on a saturday moring
- Waffle House, White castles or Gold Star at 2:00am
Both will prove to be eye opening experiences for them I would imagine.
Absolutely do Hofbrau for pre game beers but then show em how we do it here! Great ideas so far. I would lalso make a bunch of hand down recipes for cook outs. I would imagine they would love your fave burger, pizza, wing joints…
Kings Island? Skyline chili? A round of golf? Casino?
If you have time maybe drive a few hours North and do Cedar Point a day and then take em to the islands. Taking mid 20s german guys to the islands would be an experience they would never forget. Or any mid 20’s male for that matter…
Introduce them to the tv show “Call of the Wild!” Let them know that turtle man lives nearby. That’s American!
I wouldn’t even know how to begin to type a representation of that noise he makes. Lol you know what im talking about
Thanks for all the replies, ideas are great. They will be here soon btw i dont think i mentioned that they will be here for the 4th of july. So we will see a fireworks show at a minimum.
The ideas about shopping are great our huge grocerys and stores will blow their mind and are very simple activities.
Outdoors will be a good option there are lots of great stateparks close by. The yellow Springs brewery is a revalation and i cant wait to check it out. Even if its for myself.
[quote=“zwiller”]Absolutely do Hofbrau for pre game beers but then show em how we do it here! Great ideas so far. I would lalso make a bunch of hand down recipes for cook outs. I would imagine they would love your fave burger, pizza, wing joints…
Kings Island? Skyline chili? A round of golf? Casino?
If you have time maybe drive a few hours North and do Cedar Point a day and then take em to the islands. Taking mid 20s german guys to the islands would be an experience they would never forget. Or any mid 20’s male for that matter…[/quote]
I spent tons of summers in marblehead / port clinton, my dad runs part time walleye chárters in the summer. I love it up there the islandés are a blast i wish i could lives up there. I doubt well make it up there with our guests though because of the short notice and its prime tourism time up there while they are here.
Sounds like my time may be better spent showing them around then having them watch me drag out all my brewing gear. Im ok with that but my normal brewschedule will arrive while they are here. If we happen to be home hanging around and visiting i may still try to squeeze in a batch.
[quote=“fullhousebrew”]Ya, take them to:
- Wal Mart on a saturday moring
- Waffle House, White castles or Gold Star at 2:00am
Both will prove to be eye opening experiences for them I would imagine.[/quote]
Of course they may not want to come back!
I was thinking the same thing with Hofbrau but it was mentioned so many times. Heck, after that you could continue to bar hop in Newport.
This site may help:
http://local.cincinnati.com/calendar/calendar.asp