The tiny village of Aying near the Alps is typical of Bavaria, and the home of Ayinger Beer. This region of Germany grows some of the world's best barley for malting and brewing. It is also the place where lagering, i.e cold maturation, was invented.

Two beers on Chuck's list of favorites come from Ayinger ... Altbairisch Dunkel (Old Bavarian Dark) and Oktober Fest-Marzel.

Altbairisch Dunkel is malty, even slightly buttery, but very clean and with a good balancing dryness.

Oktober Fest-Marzen is brewed in March and left to ferment in storage till the fall. It is best consumed during the festivals in September and October.