So a German Pub just opened up downtown
 

And I want to go to it after the BBQ fest tonight. But I've never had German beer. I think I want a Pilsner. Is that what I should say to the bartender? I don't want to get laughed at. Thanks in advance.

What is the name of the pub?

Volks Haus.

They don't have a website.

Where the hell is Reaper? Cmon man.

I've found "Hey can you recommend me a good beer? I don't know anything about German beer, but here's what I'm looking for: blah blah blah" to be a good start.

I don't even know what to look for. Something that is comparable to Miller High Life?

If they don't have anything you recognize, just ask if they have Coors Light.

P.S. I was just kidding about the Coors Light, and I hope you are kidding about the Miller High Life. That shit is disgusting.

What are a few beers that you like?

If you want a good German pilsner, I would get a Spaten if they have it.

Alternatively, you could get a kolsch, which isn't the same as a pilsner, but it's similar (less bitter). Gaffel is a popular kolsch.

If you want to try a hefeweisen, some of my favorite German ones are Erdinger, Paulaner, and Weihenstephan.

Hofbrauhaus is another good German beer to try.

ask for a pint of Lowenbrah.

Ask the bartender what he/she would recommend. I have discovered some good beers that way. Looking around to see what others are ordering is another good way to see what is popular.

And you're worried about getting laughed at?

:D

One of our local liquor stores used to have this stuff called Bitburger that I really liked, but they stopped carrying it years ago so maybe I'm the only one who liked it.

Yep. The bartender at a specialty bar should be fairly good with recommendations. They will usually also give you a small sample of anything on tap.

Paulander and Spaten are probably the two most common breweries and most of their stuff is good on tap.

If you want something that tastes like Heineken ask for a lager which is also the most common type of beer. If you want something a little darker, malty and less bitter try an Oktoberfest. Wheat beer would be hefeweizen.