They were probably on about Bamberger Rauchbier. I've only ever managed to finish one glass of it and whereas normally you swill down a meal with the drink, on that occasion I needed to order some goose and dumpling to help with the beer!
I don't think you will manage to leave your car at Die Wilde Rose as it is exactly where you want a hotel to be in Bamberg (in the pedestrian zone and on the edge of the old town). There's room for the bikes in the courtyard but not cars. Check out the multi storey car parks as if you are splitting the costs with your mates, it should be affordable. You could also phone the tourist info office who may well be able to advise in this area.
http://www.bamberg.info/ Click on the language thing in the top RH corner if the German is a bit difficult.
There are loads and loads of historical things to see in the town and the tourist office does a leaflet with a recommended walking tour. I would recommend following that when you decide to do the town in the afternoon as it will get you to all the things worth seeing. Then it's just a matter of finding a restaurant (there's a nice one in a courtyard about 100 yds from the Rauchbier place if I remember aright) followed by a decent pub or Weinstube.
Incidentally, if you follow the River Main down to the Romantische Strasse, do an overnight stop in a wine village called Volkach where you must eat at the zur Schwane restaurant. The food is excellent, really excellent although the hotel bit is very expensive and so you should stay at one of the other ones. Würzburg is another good overnight stop: eat and drink at Haus des Frankenweins where you can sample the selection of the best wines in Bavaria, buy a case and get it sent home. The restaurant is very good indeed.
