Originally Posted by
spare_wheel
1. When I travel in Germany (or the UK) the thing I miss the most is the diversity of beer that is common in the PNW. Even dive bars in PDX often have a dozen beers on tap. Moreover, there are entire categories of ale that are simply not to be found in Europe (unless imported). When it comes to beer innovation and variety there is no place in the world that is the equal of the PNW.
http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps...4206542969&z=6
2. While I agree that USAnian fast food sucks, the USA is nation of large cities with some of the best food in the world. IMO, the best examples of syncretism in Europe pale in comparison to the way USAnians have adopted and adapted chinese, mexican, salvadorian, japanese, korean, thai, lebanese, vietnamese, cuban, etc. And then there are the great regional cuisines of the USA (e.g new mexican, tex-mex, creole, deep south, SF chinese, north east italian, "kali"fornian etc). Try telling the average euro that the burrito is a purely USAnian food...
A specific example:
When I have lived or travelled in Europe for a period, the very first thing I do when I return to the USA is pig out on Thai. There are 5 Thai restaurants within a 10 minute walk of my home that are far better than any I've been to in Europe. There are
dozens of Thai restaurants within walking distance of my home.
So you are going to open it up, then I'll say food here is better. No I cannot get as good Mexican food here that would be the end. Asian food here is better not by a little bit, the African foods here are better not by just a little bit, and that doesn't eve speak of central Asia and the former Soviet satellites.
Beers in the states are variations on beers here on the continent. If there is a beer style your feel your missing when you come here then you're not looking hard enough. In one respect you are correct Germans tend to drink local, very local and it seems to span the generations. If I bring a Winkler Bräu home to Frankonia I'll be the only one who drinks it.