Beer and Bamberg

Bamberg lays claim to an incredible distinction — its city center contains the largest collection of historic buildings existing today. In fact, this German town has about 2,000 buildings listed as historic monuments, which naturally made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the city's grand churches and 16th century Old Court to the ornate cathedral tombs of Henry II and Pope Clement II, Bamberg is an architecture lover's dream.

In my particular case, however, the one thing I enjoy more than beautiful buildings is a beautiful beer, and this Bavarian town has a brew you won't find anywhere else. It's called Rauchbier, or smoked beer in English, and it's created by drying malted barley over an open flame. Two of the town's breweries, Schlenkerla and Spezial, have been crafting smoked beers for over two centuries.

So, what does smoked beer taste like? For the sake of research — and only for research — I tried several brands, and I face the dilemma of describing something I love with words that make it sound disgusting. To be blunt, Rauchbier tastes like bacon-flavored beer. Now if you're someone who fantasizes over Maxim's monthly "Bacon Porn" photos, this sounds as exciting as meeting Farmer John, but I'm guessing most people don't feel that way. Though guys and alcohol aren't usually the most trustworthy combination, I have to say "trust me" that this stuff is good. It's a refreshing brew with a smoked ham or bacon aftertaste that accents the flavor without overpowering the palate. Just don't use it as an excuse to start drinking at breakfast!

All boozing aside, Bamberg is fortunate in that it wasn't destroyed during World War II. For this reason, the city retains much of its classic architecture built up over several centuries, making it a beautiful place to visit. It is also the home to over 4,000 members of the US Army, making it a very easy place for American tourists to visit and explore.