>In 2003 we cruised up to Cologne on the Rhine.
>Sorry, Thomas, I love a good Riesling, but that river can't even play in the same league as the Hudson or the Mississippi.

Don't be. We starve our rivers as all the good water is needed for beer ;-)

>On the other hand I had the pleasure of enjoying some bratwurst and hefeweitzenbier while enjoying the Donau as it flowed past Regensbug.
>Lovely, indeed.

True. This century a couple of floods happened - probably part of reason why property was lost is higher population desnity here. Still, from the states only New Oreans/Katrina rings a bell. Any thoughts of further differences ?