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Panache

We Swiss like to have our Feierabendbeer (lit. quitting time beer). Maybe we're not quite like the Irish who go straight to the pub after work but many of us still like to enjoy a good cold beer when we get home. However, some of us Swiss (including yours truly) don't like our beers to be strong. Especially if we're already a bit tired from a day of work. :)

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A great alternative to "real" beer is a mixed beer (also called a beer drink). I'm not talking about pre-mixed beer that is sold in supermarkets (those suck). Good mixed beer is made on the spot with beer and a soft drink, syrup, liquor or other interesting ingredients.  The most famous of Swiss mixed beers is the Panache (pronounced the french way "Pah-nash"), a mix of beer and lemonade. It tastes fresh, a bit sour and sweet. Make sure the beer and lemonade are cold though - nothing worse than lukewarm Panache!

Panache is not the only mixed beer we drink in Switzerland. There are plenty of other options for beer drinks:
  • Panache: Beer and Lemonade (Sprite, 7up, etc.)
  • Diesel: Beer and Coke (Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, etc.)
  • BMW: Beer and mineral water 
  • Monaco: Light beer with grenadine syrup
  • Schwuchtel (vulgar: gay guy): Beer and apple juice
  • Uboot (submarine): Beer and liquor (big beer glass with small liquor glass inside)
If you are not much of a beer drinker, you might like some of the popular soft drink mixes we drink in Switzerland:
  • Spezi: Cola and orangeade or orange juice
  • Skiwasser: Sparkling water with syrup
  • Schorle: Sparkling water and apple juice
I'm sure there are more options. If the weather is cold, hot drinks like punch or hot chocolate are a great alternative to cold beer drink! 

Prost! - Cheers!

Btw: In Germany a Panache is called a "Radler". :) And if you are looking for good Swiss beer try Quöllfrisch. Feldschlösschen is more widely known but I think Quöllfrisch is better...

Source: Wikipedia on Beer Drinks / Mixed Beer



© 2012 IRENE WYRSCH "A HUMOROUS GUIDE TO SWITZERLAND" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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