I finally found my way into what seemed like a mirage for so long in my corner of the woods—an authentic German microbrewery smack dab in the middle of Chiang Mai, Thailand’s cultural center. I wanted to pop in many times but every time I drove by it just looked too dead to make it worth the time. Well, last night I decided I was no way going to let the opportunity for good German beer pass by any longer—not when it has been a fantasy for so long. Thus, I found myself sitting in the grand Chiang Mai German Microbrewery and Restaurant.

If there’s one thing a guy like me misses living over a year in Thailand it is good, solid beer. America is known for producing beer that tastes like…well, you know… but anyone who has spent real time there knows our microbrew scene that rivals breweries the world over. I have also traveled extensively in Western Europe, including Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland, so I’ve got a full-blown love affair with good beer. You could say I take more pride in this than is healthy.

Thailand makes it a long-distance relationship, at least if you’re living on a budget. If you’re willing to spend the extra dough, you can find quality brews like Belgium’s Chimay and even Hoegaarden, known by many connoisseurs as the best Hefeveisens in the world. It costs, and seeing as how I rarely make it to that side of the tracks, I don’t splurge on these very often.

Chiang Mai German Microbrewery and Restaurant is a quality brewery with an authentic German feel. I’m not really sure about the story behind the place, but the beer is classic German—no doubt about it—and it is quite superb.

They’ve only got 4 selections on tap, from what I could decipher by a menu mostly in Thai: Wesien, Dunkel, Lager, and Weisen Bock. Ah, memories of my travels around the beer-loving mecca of Duetscheland. The brewing vats sit just behind the bar, bringing that reall European feel to the place. 90 baht for a 16 ounce glass—that’s not much cheaper than back home, but for a German-style beer in Thailand, it’s not bad at all.

In addition, the menu holds many German sausage selections. I had the Frankfurter sausage—it was pretty good but I can certainly say I’ve had better, and it was quite pricy. And I am a sausage fanatic. I certainly don’t know sausages like a German, but I know what tastes good, and one of my favorite events in Europe was always the stop at a small grill for a hearty sausage smother in mustard and sauerkraut.

The seasoned sauerkraut and potato salad that came on the side were delicious, even if served in mouse-like proportions compared to the main course. Overall, I felt the meal could have been better. The Thai food looked pretty delicious though.

Also, the place is eerily quiet, which is, like I said, why I waited so long to go in. It’s built inside a renovated auditorium with a stage, and enough seating for hundreds and hundreds of people, but every time I’ve driven past the place has been completely dead.

It likely is due to the location, which is just down the road from Payap University. There is a lot of building going on over here and it looks like the place will explode at any time, but for now it is very mellow. They have ladyboy shows and Thai bands, creating a surreal blend of German and Thai culture, but lately the shows have been silent.

If you’ve got a large group that loves to get loud and drunk, this won’t bother you at all, and regardless of my qualms with the sausage dishes, I think you will find a very fabulous (if pricey) dining experience. With a German size mug full of Lager (my personal favorite at this venue), you will certainly be the one grinning in the Land of Smiles.

Prost!