LCBO Food & Drink Travel 2025

HOP CULTURE

Munich, Germany Bavaria takes beer seriously. Almost half of Germany’s brewer ies are found in the region, with 40 different types of beer produced. Munich has a long history of brewing quality beer with purity laws dictating ingredients and process adopted here in 1516.

TASTE

Erdinger Weissbier LCBO 201715, 500 mL, $3.95 White beers are popular in Germany. This one is allowed to mature in the bottle, like Cham

pagne, making it a sparkling refresher.

Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Radler LCBO 380584, 500 mL, $3.00 A Bavarian innkeeper created the first radler with lemonade in the 1920s. This one showcases pink grapefruit, orange zest and biscuit notes. Paulaner Munich Helles LCBO 17513, 500 mL, $2.75 This lager, a Munich favourite, is an elegant pour—clear and golden, with notes of malty sweet ness and hops. Serve with sausages or ribs.

EXPERIENCE Mozart and Lenin were past patrons of Hofbräuhaus (left), a traditional beer hall founded in 1589. Spot the locals with their personalized mugs. Join them at a communal table and say, “Prost!” Or take a tour of Brauerei Weihenstephan , the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery (since 1040). And, of course, Munich is famous for Oktoberfest (above), attended by about 6 million people annually.

Prague, Czech Republic The world can thank Czech beermakers for the first pilsner and original Budweiser lager. The country consumes more beer per capita than any other nation. Czechs are very pas sionate about beer, even the way it’s poured. A thick layer of foam is considered a necessity. Naturally, pilsners reign supreme, but the local beer scene is wonderfully diverse.

TASTE

Kozel Lager Premium LCBO 614909, 500 mL, $3.05 From a brewery operating since 1874, this full-bodied lager hits the right notes with pleasant bitterness, aromatics and crispness. Pilsner Urquell LCBO 255380, 500 mL, $3.55 Introduced in 1842, at a time when most Bohemian beers were dark, this lightly bitter pale lager was a game-changer. It fea

EXPERIENCE To see just how deep beer traditions run, grab a seat at U Fleků (above), a bustling Gothic-style tavern dating back to 1499. Pair your brew with grilled sausages and cabbage. Go deep into the world of pilsners with a specialty pub like U Zlatého Tygra . Or soak it up at Bernard Beer Spa , where guests can bathe in beer while drinking a pint.

tures notes of fresh bread, citrus and honey. Czechvar Dark Lager LCBO 18170, 500 mL, $3.10

This premium lager marries smoky roasted grain aromas with bitter chocolate and a spicy hop finish courtesy of three flavourful malts.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOMMY LOESCH, COURTESY OF MUNICH TOURISM (OKTOBERFEST); BY T. KRÜGER, COURTESY OF MUNICH TOURISM (HOFBRÄUHAUS)

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———————— TRAVEL 2025