Paulaner Salvator

Paulaner is one of the newer of Munich's famous Big Six breweries, having been founded by a Franciscan order in 1634. Today, the Paulaner brewery is a large, industrial facility that stands out amongst the residential neighborhoods on the southeast side of Munich. In Munich, the product to try is the delicious Am Nockherberg Kellerbier, an unfiltered, ruddy amber beer with spicy yeast notes and a dangerous level of drinkability. Though this product isn't bottled and exported, beer drinkers around the world are lucky to have nearly universal access to another exceptional Paulaner beer: Salvator Doppelbock.

Salvator means 'savior' in Latin and hints at the beer's monastic origin, when it served as a liquid bread to monks who were fasting. Doppelbocks are very strong lagers with an unusually full body, sweet flavor, and high levels of alcohol. Salvator is dark amber and smells of raisins, grapes, and cotton candy. It tastes like honey, candied fruit, and caramel; has a touch of toastiness; and finishes with a nice bite from the high levels of carbonation. Though sweet, the beer has a light dryness and is very clean.

Salvator is available widely, at bottle shops, many major grocery chains, and probably some corner stores. Don't let this import's ubiquitousness (and its affordable price point) deceive you; it is world-class.