Munich, Germany - Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower)

A beautiful afternoon at the Chinesischer Turm.

After a few days of visiting castles and hiking in the Alps, we found our way to Munich, the last stop on our Bavarian adventure.  With over 200 beer gardens in the city, how do you choose where to go?  First we went to, arguably, the most famous, the Hofbrauhaus, a raucous indoor/outdoor beer hall with a long history.  Then we popped into a few lesser known and less noteworthy (but all enjoyable) venues.  It wasn't until we made our way to the English Gardens and the Chinesischer Turm beer garden, that I found one I wanted to write about.






This guy is having fun!

 Our time in Munich was limited and we wanted to see as much as we could.  Since it was a glorious summer day, we rented bicycles and spent the entire day maneuvering through the traffic through interesting neighborhoods, down the bike paths of the Lech River and through the wonderful English Gardens.  You can ride for hours through the English Gardens, as it's one of the largest public parks in Europe, located in the center of Munich.  After four solid hours on our bikes we were ready for some refreshments.  We parked our bikes by the beer garden and found a free table under the shade of a large chestnut tree.  The garden is just lovely, with tables set under lush trees and surrounded by grassy lawns and flower beds. In the center is the Chinese Tower, a wooden structure that was constructed around 1790. (It was destroyed during WWII, but was rebuilt shortly after the war.)  The location is nearby the University of Munich, hence a younger crowd frequents the beer garden.  The day we were there, it was not overly crowded, but I was told it is one of the city's largest and can seat up to 8,000 people. Being a traditional beer garden, it was self serve.  My husband went for the beer and I went for some sustenance.

The carriage driver catches a quick beer in between trips. 

What did we have:  The Chinesischer Turm serves Hofbrau beer which is high quality and flavorful.  Since I was really thirsty, I decided to try a radler, which is a helles beer mixed with lemon drink, similar to a British shandy.  Radler means, "one for the bike" and is often drunk as the last drink at the end of a long night of revelry.  It was a good choice for the occasion, but I doubt I'd make it a regular favorite.  Somehow it reminded me of drinking wine coolers, and why dilute that delicious German beer?  My husband chose his favorite, a dunkel and enjoyed every sip.  We ate an interesting combination of bratwurst, purple cabbage, Greek salad, and pretzels.  Don't ask me why, they just all looked great and I walked down the food line and made my selection.  And they were all tasty.  The salads in Germany are made from the freshest ingredients, and did not disappoint.


What was fun:  We loved the kick-back atmosphere of the English Gardens and Chinesischer Turm.  It was such a relaxing atmosphere, we could have sat there all afternoon, drinking beer, watching the folks strolling through the park, and enjoying the gorgeous day.  We were only in Munich for such a short time we wanted to cover a little more territory before we called it a day.  So we turned in our mugs, collecting the required deposit, and made our way back to our bikes.  As I sit writing this review, in our air conditioned home, looking out on a sweltering Georgia afternoon, what I'd give to be back riding bikes and drinking beer in Munich's second largest beer garden.

A Little About Wine and Chocolate

The bride and groom enjoyed their wine. 

Although we clearly focused on beer during this romp through Bavaria, we did not forget our other loves...wine and chocolate.  Matter of fact, I must admit, on a few evenings I got a little "beered out" and switched to a very popular drink in Munich, a aperol spritz which is made from prosecco and aperol, an bright orange aperitif similar to compari.  I first tried one at the wedding reception and enjoyed it.  Later I saw people drinking them in outdoor cafes, restaurants and even beer gardens. I gladly joined in.  We also had some lovely white wine at the wedding reception.  It was 2009 Escherndorfer Lump Silvaner Kabinett trocken (dry).  I was not familiar with Silvaner grapes before drinking this wine, but I discovered they are the third most commonly grown grape in Germany.  The wine tasted like dry Riesling, crisp with a slight fruitiness that I enjoyed so much I drank a few too many glasses.  Ah, the joy of wedding receptions!  




Schuhbecks chocolate shop is tempting.

 Although we did not have many chocolate desserts in Bavaria, we did order a chocolate souffle with vanilla sauce and Johannes berries, at a lovely sidewalk cafe one night. It was quite spectacular, and since I hadn't had any chocolate for a number of days, it was truly appreciated.  We also stopped at Schuhbecks, a sophisticated chocolate shop that features homemade chocolate from Germany and other gourmet brands from Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.  I did a little shopping there and brought back some great chocolate including a sampler box of dark chocolate flavored with spices including cardamon, anise and cinnamon. 
On this trip it was about the beer, but when we return to Germany (and we will!) a drive through wine country and a few more chocolate shops will be on the itinerary. 

You can find great chocolate desserts in Munich.

Bavaria, Germany - Andechs Abbey and Beer Garden




This photo was "borrowed" from Wikipedia. 
Andechs Monestary in all it's glory.

After we arrived in Bavaria, our family and friends highly recommended a trip to Andechs Abbey.  They said it is a MUST for any beer lover. With all the wedding festivities, our time was tight, but we were able to slip away and spend a few hours at Andechs. I'm so glad we didn't miss out on the experience...and the beer!

The colorful beer garden at Andechs Abbey.

Perched up on a hill overlooking the picturesque Ammersee (Ammer lake) sits the Benedictine monastery where monks have been praying and making beer since 1455.  If we had the time, we would have loved to tour the entire monastery, but since we only had a few hours, we knew our priorities.  After a quick tour of the ornate Baroque church, we headed directly to the beer garden.  It has a large indoor beer hall and outdoor garden overlooking the lake.  In both areas, patrons sat on long tables enjoying giant mugs of beer and huge plates of food. Fortunately we were with a large group, including an experienced German traveler who knew the ropes.  It was at Andechs where we learned how a true beer garden works.  There are no servers, you pick up what you want at counters. One line forms near the kitchen area where food is served.  Another line forms by the counter in front of huge kegs of beer. The lines may be long, but due to German efficiency, they move very quickly.  Several people from our party went to pick up the beer, and several went for food.  The mugs are designed so you can carry three, four or even five at a time. We ended up with a table full of  food and drink, undoubtedly some of the best that Germany has to offer.



It's easy to carry four beers.

 What did we have:  Since it was a chilly afternoon, and I tend to pick my beer type by the climate, I chose to drink a half-liter of dunkel (dark ale).  Others selected the traditional helles (blond lager) and the weiss (hefeweiss wheat).  Everyone raved. The beer at Andechs is truly tasty, and beautiful in color, too.  As for food, we had a virtual feast.  We purchased plates of bratwurst, pork ribs and large soft pretzels.  In addition there were bowls of traditional potato salad and sauerkraut. I sampled it all and now I understand why Germans are such hearty folks.  Definitely a stick-to-your-ribs meal. I had to take a long hike the next day to make up for this meal.

The boy was happy with his souvenirs. 

What's fun:  The atmosphere at Andech is truly unique.  First of all, the physical location and the long history makes it truly awe inspiring.  Over the years multitudes have visited the monastery to pray, sometimes in hopes of a miracle cure that reportedly has occurred.  But once you step into the beer garden, it's all festivity and fun. Crowds of locals and tourists alike, enjoying their beer and food in the lively beer hall.  Outside, the garden is surrounded with bright orange geraniums. Patrons sit with their dogs sitting quietly beside them, or in one case, snuggled on an old man's lap. Since the seating is family style, old sit with young, couples next to families, everyone immersed in conversation.  It's the German way, and it's fun.  Also, there is a great gift shop, one like I've never been to before.  Half the shop is dedicated to religious artifacts, a variety of crosses, medals and statues of saints.  The other half has beer steins, bottle openers and bottled beer.  It's really unusual, but since there is something there for every visitors, I bet they make a hefty profit.





Monks have been making beer for years.

 





Bavaria, Germany - The Beer Garden Experience

My husband and I just returned home from ten incredible days in Bavaria, Germany. We attended a family wedding in a picturesque lakeside village, hiked in the foothills of the Alps, visited a few famous castles, and rode bikes through the vibrant city of Munich. All along the way we popped into numerous beer gardens and enjoyed many mugs of tasty German brew. The experience is one I recommend to anyone who appreciates drinking beer in an environment where people love to have fun.


The outside beer garden at the famous Hofbrauhaus.

This is a mas, a standard size beer in Germany. 

The Bavarian Beer Garden experience: German beer gardens come in all shapes and sizes, but have one common denomenator. They serve lots of beer, to lots of folks, in a pleasant outdoor environment. Although we visited many beer drinking establishments on this trip, I'm highlighting four distinctly different beer gardens, three famous, and one not so famous, but all especially fun.
What did we have: We drank every style beer offered at most beer gardens. We ate our share of sausages and consumed a few pretzels.  I did sample some regional white wine, which was very nice, and some extremely good chocolate.
What's fun:  It's all about the friendly crowds, both tourists and locals, the relaxed atmosphere, the excellent service and efficiency (think really clean bathrooms). I imagine it could get pretty rough during Octoberfest, but the week we were there we did not see anything other than moderately happy patrons enjoying their beer and having a good time.  Music, dancing, families, conversation, good times!  

 Additional photos are posted on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beer-Wine-Chocolate/216204561737432

Schondorf, Germany - The Schondorfer Restaurant


Our adventure began in Schondorf on Ammersee (Ammer Lake) a lovely village about 30 miles from Munich.  Our first venture in German beer drinking was at the local Schondorfer, a restaurant and pub that could barely be considered a beer garden, although they did have a few outdoor tables set up in the shade of some large trees.  Inside, the Schondorfer offered a warm inviting atmosphere, some great beer, and a snapshot of a the local flavor of village life in Bavaria. Our large group enjoyed a hearty meal and numerous mugs of the local beer. The historic restaurant was cozy with soft lighting  and well worn wooden tables.  The crowd was relaxed and mostly local.

Ah...the beer.

What did we have: We had our first taste of Augustiner beer, a favorite of many of the beer drinkers we talked to in Munich.  Among our group, we drank helles (German lager), weis (hefewies with spicy tones), dunkel-weis (a darker, bolder hefeweis) and the dunkel (a dark, smooth, full-bodied ale).  After tasting them all, I knew I was going to enjoy my stay in Germany. The cuisine had a Mediterranean flare, and we ate locally caught fish well prepared with fresh ingredients. It was quite delicious.

What was fun: One of the great reasons to travel is to experience the local flavor of a small town in a foreign land.  It's especially pleasant when the crowd is friendly and convivial, the beer is flowing and the service is excellent. It was a memorable foray into the Bavaria beer drinking experience.
(Coming soon! Andechs Monastery and Beer Garden)





Asheville, NC - Santé Wine Bar



The entrance of Santé Wine Bar.

Santé Wine Bar: is a casually elegant, but comfortable bistro in downtown Asheville that offers an excellent wine selection and a variety of tasty light meals.
What did we have: a flight of wine and a local cheese board
What's fun:  a relaxed yet beautiful venue to enjoy wine, conversation and people watching

Lucky us.  On our weekend trip to Asheville, we discovered  a wonderful brew pub, a chocolate lounge, and a delightful wine bar.Santé is located in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville and offers cozy but elegant seating indoors, as well as outdoor sidewalk tables.  The art compliments the contemporary decor, and there are large windows near the seating area that look out on the folks strolling by.   The hosts at Santé want you to enjoy your experience and try new wine.  They offer interesting flights of wine (four half pours of different varieties), you can either choose their recommendations, or you can design your own.  The focus is on wines from all over the world, many from small production wineries. They also offer local and imported craft beer and a variety of light bites made from locally grown ingredients.

Our flight of wine and cheese board. 

What did we have:  We chose the featured June Flight of "Sun Worshipers" which represented wine from solar-powered vinyards.  It included Left Coast Cellars (Oregon) Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, Tolosa Winery (California) No-Oak Chardonnay, and Wellington Vinyards (California) Syrah.  Of the four we enjoyed the Pinto Gris and Syrah the best. We ordered the Local Cheese Board featuring some of North Carolinas's best cheeses to enjoy with our wine.  Now I wish we had sampled the Chocolate Flight, which included eight pieces of locally hand crafted artisan chocolate.  I guess we'll just have to go back. 

The conversation nook is perfect for a small group.

What's fun: Santé offers casual elegance, relaxed atmosphere, intriguing wine list and fine fare. It's the perfect place for a romantic interlude, conversation with a group of friends, or a relaxing spot to sit alone with a glass of wine. The menu changes regularly, so there is the opportunity to try new and different wines.  It's a class act in a fun and funky town.

Asheville, NC - The French Broad Chocolate Lounge

The entrance of one of the great places in Asheville.

The French Broad Chocolate Lounge is a comfortable lounge to enjoy a multitude of chocolate desserts, paired with excellent coffee, wine or beer. 
What did we have:  Dark chocolate mousse blended with local black raspberry sauce topped with homemade whipped cream, ruby red Italian Montepulciano D'Abruzzo and Prosecco
What's fun:  Superb chocolate desserts, excellent wine list, local brews, live music, local art and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy it all

Making a decision on what to have is the tough part.

I know this is a major cliche, but if the French Broad Chocolate Lounge isn't heaven on earth, then I don't know what is.  When it comes to the joys in life, the chocolate lounge scores big.  Located just off the main hub in downtown Asheville, the business looks rather unassuming until you step inside and see the long line of folks waiting to taste the bliss of artisan chocolates and handmade desserts.  No worries, the popular lounge is up to the task of meeting the needs of their many guests.  The line moves fast as you approach the counter, and you'll get a good view of all the daily offerings.  You need the extra time to decide what you're going to have, and it will be a challenge to choose only one dessert.  Everything from cakes, cookies, brownies, chocolate creme brulee, pies, mousses, truffles, etc. etc. etc. All are homemade and there is something that will delight most everyone.  Even if you don't like chocolate, there are a few options that looked tempting including carrot cake and vanilla creme brulee.  Once you finally decide which sweet to choose, you'll have the daunting task to select a beverage.  They offer an extensive coffee bar, many types of hot chocolate and teas,  a lengthy wine list and four local draft beers.  I even saw a few adults and children with full glasses of fresh milk.  The lounge has three levels of seating, mostly tables and chairs, but a nice comfy couch is located by the front window.  The night we visited there was a group playing tasteful jazz, a perfect accompaniment to great food and drink. 

These are truly heaven on earth.

What did we have:  What a tough decision.  I would have been happy with almost everything they had to offer.  But when I saw the dark chocolate mousse with local black raspberry sauce, my decision was made.  My husband also chose the same dessert.  When asked if we wanted it topped with home made whipped cream, we both nodded enthusiastically.  We can always run a couple extra miles to work off this special treat.  To accompany the mousse, I chose a glass of red Piane di Maggio  Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.  It was ruby in color and had hints of pomegranate and a nice smooth finish.  My husband chose a crisp dry La Marca Prosecco and thought it went very well with the dark chocolate.  The mousse was rich in flavor and ultra smooth in texture.  The balance of fruit and dark chocolate was perfect.  Every bite was treat. The French Broad Chocolates' motto is:  small, local, organic, fair and superb.  Perfect.  We sat at a table on the second floor loft, and could look down on the muscians below.  What an enjoyable evening!  I simply can't wait to go back...
What's fun:  It is such an event going to the chocolate lounge, you could plan a trip to Asheville just to experience the place. It's so unique and special, I can't recommend it highly enough. There was an enthusiastic and lively crowd when we were there that always adds to the fun.  We anticipate many additional trips to Asheville in our future, and there will be many new places to experience.   But I guarantee, I will make no trip to Asheville that will not include a visit to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge.

Asheville, NC - The Lab (Lexington Avenue Brewery)

Asheville is like no other place I've ever visited.  If you love beer,wine, or chocolate, it is an absolute must.  On a Friday night in June, you're not likely to find a more vibrant city in the Southeast, or perhaps, in all of the US. Asheville oozes personality.  From the outdoor concerts, to the electric, pulsing drum circle in the heart of downtown, to the street performers, and the fine eating and drinking establishments, it's one big festival, and crazy fun. As I read on a T-shirt, "Asheville, where normal is weird."  Truthfully, you'll see folks with multi-colored dreadlocks strolling next to girls in pearls.  It's a cacophony of color, sound, smell, and taste. No matter what your race, religion, sexual orientation, politics, financial status or fashion sense, everyone feels welcome in Asheville.  The most difficult part of reviewing the festive spots of this friendly city, is where to go first.  No worries, this will not be my only trip to here.  I'll start with a few favorites.  If you know somewhere I should check out, be sure to let me know.

The open air design of the Lab adds to the fun.

The Lab: One of Asheville's lively new brewpubs located in the heart of downtown, featuring a large open air patio with sleek modern decor housed in a historic building
What we had:  White Ale, American Pale Ale and Octoberfest
What's fun: Open air patio offering non-stop people watching, live music, really good beer

The curved bar adds to the sleek modern design.

My husband is a scientist and spends many hours in the laboratory.  But his favorite Lab, is located in Asheville, and offers a fine selection of unfiltered, naturally carbonated, additive free, in-house brewed beer.  Located on a busy street in the heart of downtown Asheville, it's a perfect location to kick back, enjoy a cold beer and watch the world go by. The Lab has only been open for a year and a half, but it's already a popular stop for beer enthusiasts.  Usually, they have at least ten of their own brews on tap, but the evening of our visit, they only had four. They were preparing for their 100 Brew celebration the following week.  Fortunately, two of their offerings were just what we wanted, so we were in good shape. We were fortunate to get a table on their covered patio.  The patio has retractable doors that can be open or shut depending on the weather. The pub is spacious and the decor is modern. The large curved bar is located in the center of the action, and offers wine and mixed drinks.  I was impressed with the lengthy wine list since their selections come from various regions of the US including local vinyards, as well as Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

The beer is why people keep coming back.

What did we have:  I was looking for something refreshing after the three hour drive to Asheville, and the White Ale, a Belgian style beer,with a slight taste of citrus was refreshing and tasty.  My husband had the Octoberfest, a malty ale with a hint of spice. Very nice.  I also sampled their American Pale Ale which had a pleasant balance of malt and hops, and the IPA with a serious hop kick. We shared a pesto and mushroom flat bread pizza which was uncommonly flavorful.   They boast that their menu consists of comfort food with a new slant and included appetizers, sandwiches and burgers and a few special entrees. The prices are quite reasonable, especially the beer which is all brewed in-house.  At this time they do not bottle their beer, but according to the bartender, plans are in the works.

What's fun:  It's a lively place with a great open air patio, and the best people watching. The crowd is a mix of tourists and locals, young and older during the day and early evening. The Lab really pulses at night when live bands are featured and the crowd turns younger and a little more hip.

Athens, GA - The Globe

The Globe on a hot, steamy night in Athens, GA.

The Globe: The quintessential college town bar

What did we have: Paulaner Hefeweizen and Belhaven Scottish Ale

What's fun: A comfy, cozy, friendly bar with great location, with good beer, wine and food.


If you're looking for a location to shoot a film with a storyline about a college town bar where faculty and graduate students gather to share a cold beer and talk department politics, the Globe would be the place.  Think Good Will Hunting and you can imagine the atmosphere you'll find there.  It's the perfect bar for a cold beer on a hot summer night in Athens, Georgia.  The Globe has been a mainstay in downtown Athens since 1989.  Selected as one of  best bars in the country by Esquire magazine, the Globe has been a favorite of ours since we relocated to Athens 18 years ago.  Located on the corner of two busy streets in Athens, and just a couple of  blocks away from Trappeze (another great bar reviewed earlier), it's the ideal place for a quick stop when you're bar hopping, or to settle in for a pleasant evening with good friends, food and fun.  It has a comfortable feel like an British pub.  Since often groups of friends and colleagues gather at the Globe, there are long tables and cozy seating areas with sofas and rocking chairs, As I said, it's a very comfortable bar. There is an upstairs seating area for those who choose to sit apart from the crowds.  It is usually busy during the academic year, but slows down in the summer when the student population shrinks. The offerings include 12 beers on tap, most are mainstays, with only a couple that rotate in and out. Wine is available by the glass or the bottle and there is a nice selection of both domestic and imported.  They also offer a full bar, with excellent Bloody Mary's and Mojitos on special most of the time.  I think their Margaritas are the best in town.

A Belhaven Ale and Paulaner Hefeweizen. 

What did we have: I mentioned it was a hot steamy night, and I couldn't imagine anything more tasty than a Paulaner Hefeweizen.  Always refreshing when served with an orange slice.  My husband ordered one of his favorites, a Belhaven Scottish Ale. Both those beers are standards, as are Guiness, Harp, Warsteiner, Smithwick's, Terrapin Golden, Fuller's ESB, Palm and Chimay White.  They carry 62 beers in bottles. Everything from Pabst Blue Ribbon for $1.75 to Chimay Blue for $9.  We did not eat at the Globe on this visit, but have done so many times in the past.  I always enjoy the Tandori grilled chicken salad and my husband likes the bratwurst.  The Globe is known for their tasty burgers.  On Friday evenings they often offer a nice spread of complimentary bread and cheese. You have to come early before the crowds arrive and quickly devour all the free food.  The dessert choices are limited, but they do have a notable Red Velvet Cake, which is actually chocolate flavored, and very tasty.

The bar at the Globe is a friendly place to hang out .

What's fun:  At the Globe it's all about the comfortable feeling you get when you walk in the door.  Everyone feels welcomed and the mix of people include the local characters, academics, business folk, students and visitors.  It is most fun when you come with a crowd or meet up with friends.  It's a rare occasion when we walk in the Globe and don't see someone we know.  If you're visiting Athens and want to know more about the town, stop in at the and strike up a conversation with a local.  You should be able to find out anything you want to know. You can stay for an hour or stay all night, I promise you'll enjoy your time at the Globe.
(Please note that the website for the Globe is currently down.  When it's up again, I'll provide a link.)

The wine list at the Globe is a good one.