{"id":3162,"date":"2019-09-27T16:30:11","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T14:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alpha1-deutschland.org\/?p=3162"},"modified":"2020-03-16T14:11:16","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T13:11:16","slug":"ueber-wilde-eiskletterer-lei-lei-hopfensorten-und-ein-bisschen-alpha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha1-deutschland.org\/en\/ueber-wilde-eiskletterer-lei-lei-hopfensorten-und-ein-bisschen-alpha","title":{"rendered":"About wild ice climbers, lei-lei, hop varieties and a little bit of Alpha\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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About wild ice climbers, lei-lei, hop varieties and a little bit of Alpha\u2026<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Author<\/h4><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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Irina Niepel<\/strong>, SHG Munich, as published in Alpha1-Journal 1-2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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My husband Alexander, a self-help group leader in Munich, and I had the pleasure of experiencing for the second time just how much you can see, learn, and participate in in less than three days when your hosts are lively Austrian Alphas. This time, the Austrian group leaders met in Villach, a carnival stronghold. Ella's program, as always, was packed and clearly structured, meticulously prepared, and smoothly moderated. Discussions on serious topics alternated with uproarious laughter, and inspiring presentations on professional subjects were followed by convivial gatherings filled with good humor and wine.<\/p>\n

We didn't start with wine, however, but... with beer. More precisely, with a very exciting and personalized tour of the Villach Brewery, a member of Brauunion Austria AG under Dutch management, with a growing export share to Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. On Friday afternoon, we met at the beautiful Holiday Inn Hotel, situated directly on the banks of the Drava River and surrounded by a magnificent mountain landscape. Just a few minutes' walk away is where the famous Carinthian beer is brewed. Wearing neon yellow vests, we toured the brewery grounds and experienced everything firsthand: from bottling, hop and malt selection, and the fermentation process with bottom-fermenting yeast, to tasting the fresh Villach product. After smelling the spelt malt, grinding hop pellets, and feeling the fermentation processes with our bare hands at the brewing kettle, it was time to experience the Villach Brewery's products on our palates. Hearty Carinthian specialties were the perfect accompaniment.<\/p>\n

On Carnival Saturday, work was underway in the heart of Villach, the Austrian carnival capital. I suspect we were the only ones doing so. Lei-Lei! For those unfamiliar with this local Austrian carnival greeting: Loud music, masked revelers, and a boisterous atmosphere outside; focused work, brainstorming, and lively discussions inside. It sounds like a lot of discipline and perseverance, but it really wasn't. True to the saying, "Business before pleasure," we started Saturday morning with a preview of 2019. Here's a brief summary of upcoming events for those interested:<\/p>\n