Prost! Good Times at Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant

Beer, pork knuckles and sausages. Can't get any better than that...

Finally, there's a place for real German dishes, and excellent German beer. Brotzeit German Bier & Restaurant offers authentic Bavarian cuisine and the world famous Paulaner brand of beers from Munich, offering diners a taste of Bavaria right here in the metro.

Brotzeit German Bier & Restaurant started in Singapore by German and Austrian expats who wanted to bring the Bavarian culinary experience to Asia. And since the opening of the very first restaurant in Singapore in 2006, Brotzeit now has a growing presence in the region with branches in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and now it's tenth branch right here in Manila. The new location follows the look of all Brotzeit restaurants, clean, modern and understated yet elegant lines with the signature leather topped wooden benches and the mandatory long wooden bar. It's a cool take on a beer hall, updated with slick interiors. Nice.

"Brotzeit" is typical German expression for a small meal or snack, accompanied by beer, with "brot" meaning "bread" and "zeit" which is German for "time." And this is definitely the place for a meal and and few beers. My kind of place.

Brotzeit serves the widest selection of German premium beers in the metro, with four beers on draught and several German specialties in bottles, all served in the appropriate glasses. Chat with Brotzeit's bartenders for a quick rundown on the different Paulaner beers, it's always cool to learn something new.

Paulaner has been brewing its signature beers since 1634, and you can definitely taste the proud and rich heritage of this legendary icon from Munich in every sip. I start with Paulaner's Original Munchner Hell, a sparkling, clean and clear golden lager with a crisp and refreshing taste that just goes down so smoothly, and the best-selling Munich Lager in the world. Light and not too filling with a sharp flavor of hops, it's the perfect match with any of Brotzeit's dishes. And here's the really cool thing with Brotzeit, if you love beer, there are so many other variants of authentic German beer available. Have a couple of glasses before a meal, and find your personal favorite.

And Brotzeit's expert bartenders treat each glass with the proper respect. As you get to try other Paulaner beers, you will notice that each beer variant has its own glass. The Original Munchner Hell uses a tall straight glass that enhances the foamy head that adds to the overall experience. All beers served at Brotzeit are brewed in strict accordance to the German Purity Law of 1516, one of the world's oldest food laws, so you get 100% all-natural beer made with the purest spring water and premium ingredients from Germany. That's seriously good beer.

Then, there's Paulaner's Hefe-Weissbier, a natural wheat malt beer and Paulaner's best selling wheat beer. Note that the glass for Weissbier is slightly tulip-shaped and curved at the top designed to preserve the foamy head. A much darker unfiltered and cloudy orange hue differentiates this beer from the clear and light golden original lager. The Weissbeer has a subtle fruity note and earthiness of the wheat, less bitter than the usual beers. And I stick to the Weissbier for dinner, and a few more after. Seriously good. If you prefer the taste of roasted malt, go for the Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel, a dark malted wheat beer with a distinct chestnut brown color. With the full line of Paulaner beers on tap or in bottles, you'll definitely find a favorite. Better yet, try a different beer each time you visit...

To complete one's dining experience, Brotzeit offers authentic and traditional Bavarian dishes best paired with any of Brotzeit's premium German beers. And it's not just bread and beer. Take the Schweinshaxn, or crispy Pork Knuckles, served with potato salad, sauerkraut, crisp onions and a rich brown gravy on the side. Oven-roasted instead of deep-fried, the natural flavors of the pork come through like butter. The crisp cracklings and the tender, juicy pork combine for an awesome blend of flavor and textures. Add some crisp caramelized onions and sauerkraut for a little kick, and wash it all down with a Weissbier. Nice.

And you just got have some sausages, Brotzeit's Kasekrainer, smoked Pork Cheese Sausages, served with sauerkraut and potato salad. The sausages have a nice crisp snap in every bite, and the cheese completes the  play of flavors. Another perfect match with the Weissbier.

And if you want to try something different, go for the Curry Wurst, pork sausage with a distinct curry sauce served with potato wedges. Another round of Weissbier? Absolutely.

You can also go for the Grilled Salmon Fillet on sauteed spinach with balsamic glaze as a healthier option. The clean flavors are enhances by the sweet glaze and vegetables, a light yet filling dish. And yes, pairs nicely with the Weissbier too.

For something rich and comforting, try Brotzeit's Spatzle, a cheesy German egg noodle dish topped with crisp caramelized onions. The thick creamy cheese makes this one a winner. It's the perfect dish after a few too many rounds of beer.

In between, grab some German brown bread and top it with Brotzeit's Griebenschmalz, a rustic bavarian Bacon Spread with crispy bits of bacon, apples and onions. Some people may find traditional German dishes  lacking in seasoning, but I think it brings out the real flavor of the fresh and premium ingredients.

And after a few rounds of beer, nothing like a hearty and comforting soup. Brotzeit's Gulasschsuppe, a spicy beef goulash with tender beef and potatoes and a cooling heat from the spices.

Chef Ivan Maminta, Brotzeit's Culinary Director, ensures all dishes conform with the traditional recipes consistent in all Brotzeit locations. Backed with several stints in Germany and Austria, Chef Ivan promises an authentic Bavarian experience.

And for dessert? Brotzeit gives you a taste of traditional Bavarian treats, like the Apfelsrudel, authentic Apple Strudel served with vanilla ice cream. Not too sweet or too rich, just right.

Then, the Kaiserschmarren, or Emperor's Cake, arrived.  Shredded pancake with rum and raisins served with plum sauce, something different. Pour a generous helping of the plum sauce, or simply dip it, and enjoy.

And finally, Shokokuchen, warm chocolate served with homemade ice cream, a perfect sweet treat to cap an awesome meal. From starters to mains to dessert, real Bavarian flavors in every bite. And the beers were awesome.

Brotzeit German Bier & Restaurant offers many more Bavarian dishes, and the great beer and cool vibe makes this a perfect place to unwind and catch up with friends.

And time for yet another round of Brotzeit's premium brews...

Special thanks to Edward Cheung, President; and Malvin Ang, Managing Director for an awesome Bavarian experience. Great food, great beer, cool place. My kind of place. Prost! 

Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant is located at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Unit 112 Street Level, Mandaluyong City or call 631-1489 or 668-4325 for inquiries.

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