A few years ago, I sat in an Atlanta airport bar awaiting the flight that would take me to my new life in Germany. As I sipped my beer, I started speaking to the man next to me. He just so happened to be on my flight — but whereas I was going to start a new life abroad, he was a retired Army Sergeant returning to the Vaterland on his honeymoon. He had been stationed there nearly 20 years earlier and wanted to share the what he considered to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world with his new wife.
When I asked him the place he most wanted to show his bride, he did not hesitate in his answer: the Kreuzberg Kloster Brauerei.
He still dreamed, he said, of the taste of that beer – there was no finer one in the world. I think he may have even teared up a bit as he looked into his airport draft Budweiser and starting describing just how good it is. I laughed at the time and thought him a bit odd. But then I got to try some of Kreuzberg’s famous beer myself.
The Kreuzberg Kloster Brauerei is actually a Franciscan monastery located in the famous Fulda hills. It’s not a place you are likely to find unless you are looking for it. But once you find it, you’ll be glad you did.
The beer is like nothing else you’ve ever had – darkish brown, it has all the flavor of a full-bodied beer yet goes down as smooth as a lighter one. And the Brauerei also has an adjoining restaurant that serves traditional German fare and guest house for those who would like to stick around and enjoy their brews on the premises.
Despite a good drive, I’ve now been to Kreuzberg on numerous occasions. And each time, I’ve kept an eye open for that retired Sergeant. To date, I haven’t seen him. But I think it entirely likely that one day I just might – and in the meantime, I have what just might be the world’s best beer to enjoy while I wait.
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Kloster Kreuzberg
97653 Bischofsheim/Rhön
Tel: (49) 9772 91240
Open daily from 8:00am until 9:00pm
Related: Day Trips to Concentration Camps; Zum Domstein in Trier, Germany.
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15 Responses
Like the Sergeant, I too will be taking a pilgrimage back to the Kloster. My son will be in Berlin on a Study Abroad Program this fall and I am bringing the family to the Kreuzberg (wife, son and daughter) to enjoy the bier. Years ago it was named best beer in the world by Playboy Magazine.
I was in the Army stationed at the nearby Wildflecken Kaserne in the late 70′s and we would oftern venture to the Koster not only for the bier but their fablulous food, my favorite being the Schweinhaxen (a ginourmous ham hock).
I have been in Germany for 7 years and I cant even drink another beer without complaining. Kreuzberg is by far the best beer I have ever had. The whole trip is such a great time. In the winter we sled and some ski. It is the epotime of Germany!
My husband is like that. He’ll sip another beer, sigh, and say, “It’s good but it’s not a Kreuzberg.”
I was There in 1989-1991 with the 11th ACR The monks brewed it then by far the best beer i have ever had the chance to drink. by the way the post was 10mi from there
I spent a long weekend there around 1980, skiing, drinking beer, eating, having a great time. Sorry to hear they don’t brew the beer anymore. Do they still run a small ski operation, the monks? Great must stay over night place for anyone visiting Germany in my opinion.
I was in the 130th EN Brigade – V Corps in those days,
Mike
I was in Bad Kissingen Germany in 1987 to work briefly with the US Army Medical Specialist Corps and ventured to the monastery with a group who knew of its great beer. Amazing and smooth, and after two steins I was also a pretty happy camper. The story I was told was that during the 40 days of Lent the monks would fast except for their daily beer, which was high enough in calories (and refreshment) to sustain them.
I was stationed w/10th Engr BN (Kitzingen) from 1986-1988. My friends and I took a trip to Kreuzberg and had a great time drinking beer made by the monks. I still have a beer stein from there on my desk which I keep pens in. I’m planning a trip back to Germany next month & my boss and I were talking about our experiences which included drinking beer at the Klosterbrauerei Kreuzberg. It’s one of many great experiences that American Military talk about when sharing stories of times in Germany. Not sure, but maybe I’ll get to revisit the brewery & see if the beer is still as good as I remember.
Stationed at Wasserkuppe in 1977 and loved taking friends her for the beer. Best ever! Taking my daughter in September
Yep! I’ve been there, back in 1994, stationed in Kitzingen, with the MP’s. So far the best beer in the world!
I grew up in Wildflecken so we made many trips to the Kreuzberg, when we were kids it was for sledding and Brats later on Brats and Beer. It was woonderful to grew up in an area like that. The monks may not brew the beer there anymore, but the beer is still sold there like it always has been!
Heck beer festivals there are something else!
While stationed in Fulda with the 511th MI (11th ACR) (1986-88), I took many a trip to Kreuzberg. I still have my litre stein and look forward to the day when I can go back for another experience of the best beer I have ever had! To all of you who served with the 1th ACR, Blackhorse!
I was stationed in Berlin from 90-92 with the 42nd ENG CO. We would have to head west to do any real training, and on one FTX I got to visit the Monastery. It was truly the greatest beer I have ever tasted! As I type this I’m drinking Franziskahner from the mug I bought there that day. I wish I knew it was a Franciscan monastery – I would have seen if I could have attended liturgy.
I was stationed in Wildflecken with the 54th Engaged Battalion. The bier…unquestionably the best in the world! We would stop half way down the mountain at a gasthaus that had the best trout. You would pick your trout from the aquarium and they would cook it. Delicious! What Memories!
I was stationed in Fulda, HOW Btry 11 ACR from 1989 to 1992. It was the best time ever!! The best times where going to the Monastery to enjoy the best beir and brats.. wow good times !!!!