Our friend discovered the Brasserie Des Murailles at a summer festival. He made a strong statement and declared it to be the “best beer in Switzerland.” After tasting it we fell in love with the brewery (brewery is brasserie in French). Here’s why:
1. They regularly brew five varieties of beer (and additional seasonal ones). Each one is great. They don’t make a bad one.
2. The brewer studied in Belgium. Yeah Belgium!
3. They have continuously grown their business each year with minimal advertising. They grew so much that they went from the tank above to the tanks below.
4. We like to tour breweries and microbreweries (and pretty much any kind of factory). Although they are small, their old farm is one of the coolest buildings around. It is a rustic old bar that has been retrofitted to accommodate brewing and visitors. The best part is the setting in the countryside of Geneva with a wonderful view of the French Alps and Le Salève. From the back, you can see the Jura. mountains.
5. Like the Belgians, they manage to pack their beer full of flavor. Somehow, they manage to keep it light enough for the local market. Even in during a summer heat wave, they never seem too heavy.
6. Their beers are unique and complex.
7. They are small enough to exercise strong quality control.
8. Although it isn’t technically a reason their beer is great, they are nice. Really, really nice. You want them to succeed. Although they love great beer, they aren’t pretentious or snobby.
9. At summer festivals, what would you rather drink Heineken, Kronenbourg 1664 or something with taste and flavor?
10. In a market like Geneva, where great unique beers are hard to come by, they are a godsend.
If you are interested in Swiss beers, check out the Ultimate Switzerland Beer Guide. Sante! Proust! Chin Chin! Cheers!
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