Schlenkerla facts for kids
Schlenkerla is a very old and famous place in Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany. It's both a brewery, where they make beer, and a tavern, which is like a restaurant or pub where people can eat and drink. Schlenkerla is especially known for its unique smoked beer, called "Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier."
This smoked beer is dark and has a special taste, a bit like bacon! It has about 5.1% alcohol. They also have another special beer called "Urbock." "Ur" means "original," and "Bock" is a type of strong beer. The Urbock is a bit stronger, with 6.5% alcohol. You can only get Urbock during a special time of year called "Starkbierzeit" (Strong Beer Time), which is from October until January 6. Both beers are served from large oak barrels, which is a very old tradition that you don't see very often anymore.
People tell a story about how smoked beer was invented. They say that one day, the brewery caught fire. After the fire was put out, the beer had a smoky taste. People liked it so much that they decided to keep making it that way! No one knows if this story is really true, but it's a fun tale.
The name "Schlenkerla" comes from a German word, "schlenken," which means "to dangle" or "to swing loosely." Many years ago, the owner of the tavern had been in an accident with a horse cart. He walked with legs that were not straight, and his arms would swing loosely as he walked. People started calling him "the Schlenkerla." The "la" ending is common in some parts of Germany and nearby countries. People would often say, "Let's go to the Schlenkerla," and that's how the tavern and its famous beer got their name. You can still see a picture of this man hanging above the entrance to the tavern today.
Images for kids
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Schlenkerla Rauchbier being tapped straight from the cask (2003)
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Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen
