Fodor's Expert Review Holsten Brauerei

Until the 20th century, German beer consumption was a regional thing. A thirsty German would walk in to a pub and say, "Grosses Bier, bitte," and a large beer simply appeared. There was no need to request a certain brand because there was only one or, if you were lucky, two to choose from. In Hamburg's case it was Holsten and Astra, which are still brewed in the city, although both brands are now owned by the Danish brewery giant Carlsberg. To learn more about how these brews are made and how they taste, Holsten brewery offers guided tours of the factory, with a complimentary beer or two at the end.