El Alemán Pues: Authentic German Food and Beer

A few weeks ago, I met Markus and Philip of Palenque Tours for lunch near their office in barrio Manila (Poblado).

Instead of going to a typical Colombian place like we did when I first met Philip last year, they introduced me to El Alemán Pues, a new German-owned restaurant located two blocks north of Parque Poblado on Calle de la Buena Mesa.

It was my first encounter with German food in Medellín.

We took a table for four outside, and were quickly greeted by Soren, the owner from Heidelberg, Germany.

I began looking over the menu, which featured typical German dishes I was familiar with like Wiener Schnitzel (15,000 pesos, $7.50), Currywurst (10,000 pesos, $5), and Käsespätzle (8,000 pesos, $4) as well as ones that were new to me.

The selection reminded me of my trip to Germany in 2012. My first meal upon arrival in Munich for Oktoberfest was Wiener Schnitzel, and a week later in Berlin, I sank my teeth into my first currywurst, pork sausage doused in ketchup and sprinkled with curry powder, at Checkpoint Charlie.

El Alemán Pues also offers more than 10 varieties of German sausage, along with three types of artisanal mustard (normal, sweet, spicy) and curry sauce. Each sausage costs 7,000 pesos ($3.50), or you can get two for 13,000 pesos ($6.50).

Based on Soren’s recommendation, I ordered the Nürnberg, which includes four 25-gram sausages, totaling 100 grams of sausage goodness. The other sausages are 100 grams each so it works out the same.

Available side dishes include:  french fries, potato salad, mashed potatoes, German bread, Sauerkraut and Rotkohl.

I went with fries and the Rotkohl, which is purple cabbage bathed in red wine and spices. I’d never had it before, and received a healthy portion.

The sausages were delicious on their own, but the homemade mustards were the highlight for me. I can’t even pick a favorite, they were all excellent.

If you’re still hungry, there are three kinds of German waffles available for dessert which should finish you off.

Last, but not least, it wouldn’t be a German restaurant without a healthy drink selection.

Glühwein Punsch, a traditional spiced wine best served warm, costs 7,000 pesos ($3.50). Jägermeister is available by the shot or bottle. And there’s well over 20 types of German beer available by both the bottle, and in two cases, by the barrel.

My lunch at El Alemán Pues was an unexpected surprise. Next time, I’ll be pairing those sausages with a few German beers.

______

My lunch was provided compliments of El Alemán Pues.