Rauch-bier in Bamberg

The Bamberg Altes Rathaus

Bamberg should be on everyone's list when visiting Germany.  The whole town is a World Heritage Site.  It remains much as it was in the Middle Ages, and if you half-close your eyes you can see people in the dress of the Middle Ages striding about the city.  A bishopric was established here in 1007 by HRE and King Henry II and his wife Cunigunde.

While we have bee travelling through the parts of Franconia noted for its wine, Bamberg is noted for its beer.  Our guide proudly announced that Bamberg has 10 craft breweries, which seems to be pretty light on a per capita basis compared to little Durango's six.  The most famous Bamberg beer (Rauch-bier) is made from malt roasted over beech wood which gives it a smokey aroma and flavor.  Dwight confirmed that it tastes like a stale ashtray; I thought it tasted like smoked bacon.

The afternoon's entertainment was a lecture on the European Union which encompassed its history, 

Can you imagine coming home to this house when you've had too much to drink?

current challenges and future.  It was an excellent lecture given by a young German Ph.D. history student.  The Brits on the boat were somewhat defensive about their recent vote to leave the EU.  Although most of the Brits aboard are upper middle class, I was surprised to find that most had voted for the exit.  Misguided votes, in my opinion, but time will tell.  The U.S. has its own political and economic challenges.  Needless to say, the "foreigners" on the boat have strong opinions on our upcoming elections.  

For my Durango friends. (You know who you are.)