Twenty-Seventh Day in Dortmund

Sept. 27, 2012

Day 27

Today we were placed into our language classes for next semester. We even had three people who moved up two levels! Sadly, I was not among them, but I did move up to the next level, along with most of the rest of the class. However, I was really sad that I was unable to take the section that our teacher was teaching. My schedule was already full for that day, so I had to take the other section. I have no idea who this teacher is, or if I will know anyone in the class, so it’ll be a new adventure to say the least.

We had a little goodbye party and ate chocolate and cake. It was fun, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone. After this, we had another group outing. This time it was to a brewery, “Actien Brauerei.” In the late 1800’s, Dortmund used to have 22 breweries within it’s city limits. Today, the Actien Brewery is the last one in Dortmund. Since our group was so big, we had to be split into two. It seems I was placed in the unlucky group. Usually there is a tour of the brewery museum and then they let you sample some of the beers they make. However, not all of us could fit in the museum at once, so we got to drink first. I don’t know if this was the best idea, as no one really listened to what our tour guide had to say, but everyone seemed to be having a great time. I think our guide had also been drinking, which made the tour even more fun! They let us sample four beers. I liked the Dortmunder Kroner Pilsner and the Brinkhoff’s the best. They were the least hoppy and I found out the beer I ordered last Thursday was an export and maltier. So now I know what brand to stay away from.

Giant brew kettle

The four types of beer we sampled

After this, we made our way back and it was my turn to clean the apartment, so I did that for the rest of the day. I learned a lot about making beer, and it was an interesting outing to say the least. That’s it for now, Schüss!

German Word of the Day: Das Bier- “beer” If you want to remember anything at all about a museum you visit, don’t drink das Bier before going.