Savannah, GA - The Distillery

The front entrance to Distillery, a trendy craft beer bar. 

The Distillery is a lively bar in Savannah noted for it's craft beer selection.  Clearly one of the current trendy bars in town, The Distillery prides itself for offering "no crap beer, just craft beer." If you're looking for Bud or Miller, go elsewhere. With over 20 beers on tap and over 100 total to choose from, you should be able to find something you like.  Housed in the old Kentucky Distilling Company, the ubiquitous exposed brick and wood that you'll find all over Savannah is present. Tables out front allow the smokers to congregate. This bar is very popular with students from the Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD), so it has an artsy vibe.  We were thrilled when we arrived to find two seats available at the bar, and the Charlie Chaplin movie, Modern Times, on the big screen TVs.  I'm told that sports are usually on the screens, but with no big games that night, we really enjoyed the silent classic while we sipped our beer.

A flight of Yuletide winter warmers surpassed expectations. 

What did we have:  Since it was the holiday season and a chilly evening, I chose the Yuletide flight of winter warmers.  Along with the flight, they give you a rating sheet that you can take notes and rate the beers on appearance, aroma, palate, flavor and overall.  That was a little too much work for me, so I just sipped, enjoyed and just marked my favorites.  The flight consisted of Highland Cold Mountain, Weyerbacher Winter, Bell's Winter White, Dog Fish Head Raison D'Etre and St. Feuillien Belgian.  This was a fantastic selection of quality craft beer.  I liked them all. My favorite without question was Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre.  Such a superior and flavorful brew, especially on tap.

A great bar and a classic movie is a fun combination. 

What's fun: The Distillery is a great craft beer bar with a hip vibe.  The crowd is interesting, the bartenders knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and we thoroughly enjoyed a lengthy stay.  There was something so right about sipping great craft beer and watching the silent classic comedy at that bar.  It's a night I'll long remember and I highly recommend you check out the Distillery when you're in town.  You may have to wait for table, but it will be worth it.

Savannah, GA - Moon River Brewing Company

We are so fortunate to live in Athens, GA, a wonderful and unique college town.  It's location couldn't be better. It's wedged in between two of my favorite small US cities. Drive three and a half hours to the northeast and you're in Asheville, NC.  Drive three and a half hours southeast and you're in Savannah, GA.  And that's just what we did on the weekend before Christmas this year.  We've been to Savannah many times, but not during the holidays when it's all dressed up in it's holiday finest.  It was just as lovely as we imagined. On this visit we went to two blog worthy establishments.  The first was Moon River Brew Pub.

The entrance to Moon River Brewing Company. 

Located right in the heart of historic Savannah, the Moon River Brewing Company building has an interesting past.  It was once the first city hotel in Savannah, established in 1821. All the beer is brewed in the three story building where the pub is housed.  There is exposed brick and wood throughout the warm and friendly pub located on the main floor.  There is also seating on the second floor, and reportedly there are a few ghosts that inhabit the building as well. The huge stainless steel beer vats are visible through the side windows.  My husband and I arrived shortly before 5 pm on a Friday evening and were lucky enough to get a comfortable booth right next to the lively bar located in the center of the pub. Moon River offers their own brewed beer and a few additional guest beers on tap. In addition, wine, mixed drinks and bottled beer are offered. Within a half hour there were folks outside waiting to be seated at this popular brew pub.  At 5 pm, the bartender rang a bell, recited a poem and declared a beginning to the weekend festivities.  A rousing cheer went up from the locals, and I knew we were in for a fun filled evening.

Moon River offers many enjoyable beers. 

What did we have:  As usual I ordered a sampler since I wanted to try all six beers they produced and their one cider.  The waitress also brought us a taster of a guest brew that they carried, the Heavy Seas Martzen which is one of our favorites.  The sampler consisted of Wild Wacky Witt, Apparition, Swampfox IPA, Rosemary IPA, Captain's Porter, Brown Sour and Cider.  Moon River makes some very good beer with a few brews that were outstanding.  My husband particularly liked the Apparition, a lovely brown classic English pale ale.  I was enthralled with the Rosemary IPA.  This beer is infused with rosemary, and since I'm a big fan of the herb, and could really taste it, I loved this beer.  It had a nice hop finish as well.  I imagine it's one you either love or hate.  I also liked the cider a lot.  It was quite dry, with a full apple flavor.  The waitress told me that the apples come from the north Georgia mountains and is only made in the fall after harvest.  Quite special.While we sampled our beer we enjoyed two tasty appetizers, fried green tomatoes and crab cakes. The menu has lite fare, burgers and sandwiches, and full course entries.

The beer is brewed and stored right next to the pub. 

What's fun:  The lively clientele consisting of a great blend of the unusual  mix of Savannah locals, as well as tourists add to the atmosphere. The historic setting, comfortable seating, quality beer and food, and friendly wait staff all add to the experience.  The banter between the poetic bartender and the local patrons made happy we were part of the scene on this pleasant winter evening.

Hood River, OR - Mt. Hood Winery

The tasting room at Mt. Hood Winery. 

In northern Oregon the cold weather has set in and heavy snow is in the forecast, but I'm remembering a visit we took to Mt. Hood Winery late last summer.  It was perhaps the most beautiful setting of any winery I've yet to visit. Scenically nestled between Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, surrounded by acres of orchards and fields of wild flowers, it offfers awe inspiring vistas.  The wine tasting experience was pleasant as well.

The winery is located on the famous Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35 miles route through orchards, lavender fields and alpaca farms. Once entering the contemporary tasting room, you immediately notice the wall of windows along the front and side walls, opposite the tasting bar, offering spectacular views of the fields and vineyards.  But there was no reason to stay inside on the gorgeous day we visited, so we asked for our first glass of wine and headed to the patio, conveniently located right outside the tasting room.

Enjoying our wine on the patio. 

What did we have:  We had five wine enthusiasts in our family group, and together we sampled all the wine available that day. The choices for white wine included the Pinot Gris, Reisling and Chardonnay. There was one rose, the Pinot Noir Saignee, and three selections of red, Pinot Noir, Syrah and the award winning Tempranillo. All the wines were very drinkable, but the Tempranillo, a unique Spanish wine with rich flavors of black currents and spice, was definitely my favorite. I purchased several bottles for us to bring home. We also bought a bottle of the Saignee for our daughter who enjoys a sweeter wine.

Can you spot Mt. St. Helens in the background?

What was fun: It's all about the location of Mt Hood Winery.  We could have spent hours hanging out on that patio, drinking wine and taking in the scenery.  Unfortunately, we had a two hour drive ahead of us, so we could not drink as much wine as we would have enjoyed.  I do recommend that if you find yourself anywhere near Hood River, Oregon on a beautiful day, be sure to visit the winery, you will not be disappointed.

Hood River, OR - Full Sail Pub

Our family has a long history of enjoying venues that offer excellent beer and wine.  I have a vivid memory of slipping a little taste of Riesling to our oldest son when we were on a family outing to a winery in the Finger Lakes region of NY.  He was 16 and I wanted him to appreciate the fine wine produced in the region.  I also remember ordering a glass of San Giovese for our youngest son in Venice so he could get the full experience of Italy.  He was also 16. So now, all the children are of legal age, and they all appreciate fine wine and quality beer.  Our family outings often include sampling the finest naturally fermented beverages available in the area.  It only made sense that on the final days of our summer vacation, we traveled to Hood River in search of both.



The unasuming entrance to Full Sail leads to the famous pub.

As fans of Full Sail beer, a trip to their brewpub in Hood River, OR was much anticpated, and thoroughly savored.   

What did we have: We enjoyed their superior beer and their unexpectedly delicious pub grub.
What's fun: Full Sail is a pleasant pub overlooking the mighty Columbia Gorge dotted with colorful wind and kite surfers that serves amazing beer and surprisingly good food.

Everyone in our family is a fan of Full Sail beer, so we decided to end our vacation together with a short trip to Hood River and a stop at the pub. Since we had been on brewery tours, we decided to pass up that experience and make our way directly to the drinking establishment. The pub is located on an unassuming street overlooking the Columbia Gorge. The first thing you notice when you enter are the wall of windows along the back allowing for amazing views of the river below, and the numerous colorful wind and kite surfers.  It is quite breathtaking and even if the beer and food wasn't that good, it still would have been a worthwhile visit. Fortunately for us, that wasn't the case.

A sampler of beer, an amazing view. 

What did we have: We wanted to try all the available beers, so we ordered two samplers, that featured seven of the twelve beers they had on tap. They offered everything from a mellow and flavorful lager to a highly hopped IPA. One thing about Full Sail that differentiates it from many other breweries is the consistency and quality of the beer. Even the brews that weren't my favorites had interesting character, depth and levels of flavor. My choices included their Pale Ale which was crisp and refreshing, the LTD 03, a lager bursting with flavor and the Belgian Style Dubbel which was bold with the perfect balance of malt and hops.  Just thinking about it makes me smile. We ordered food which was surprisingly good. Since it was a chilly day I enjoyed the Mediterranean chicken soup with orzo. The fries were a big hit with our gang, and perhaps the best of all was the turkey brie and apple panini served on garlic toast.

Delicious food and tasty beer makes for happy folks!

What was fun: A family outing to a great brew pub is always fun. Discovering 12 different beers on tap, enjoying samples of all of them, and taking in the spectacular view, added to the experience. Finding out that the food far exceeded our expectations was a pleasant surprise. Visiting the pub during the middle of the day, without crowds, when we could relax, enjoy our beer and savor the experience was priceless.  

Portland, OR - Pix Patisserie

The bright red exterior of Pix Patisserie. 

When I asked my friend Betsy to find us a great place in Portland that served chocolate desserts, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. If there is one person who knows chocolate, it's Betsy. When I walked into Pix Patisserie, located on an artsy block of Division Street, and took one look at the display case, I knew I  hit the mother lode!  Row upon row of pastries, each presented as mini masterpieces. Pix serves amazing chocolate, fine wine and tasty local beer, all served in a cozy, eclectic atmosphere that oozes ambiance and encourages friendly conversation. Not since visiting the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Asheville was I so excited.  The desserts tasted as good as they looked which is saying a lot.


Kitchy, whimsical and cozy.

Our visit to Pix took place after a wonderful seafood meal, so unfortunately we all were pretty full.  But that did not prevent us from drooling at the site of the vast offerings.  The decor is  is warm and inviting with various sizes of solid wood tables scattered throughout the room. On the back wall there is another display case featuring individually hand made chocolates of every shape and flavor. Hanging from light fixtures are sock monkeys adding a whimsical feel to the place.  We were urged to grab a table quickly, and wise advice it was, since the room filled up just a few minutes after we arrived. 




Take your pick.

 What did we have:  This was a very tough decision since literally everything looked so good.  After some lengthy deliberation, my husband and I chose to share the Concord, a combination of chocolate mouse, chocolate meringue, chocolate ganache, so beautifully designed that I almost hated to take a bite.  Once I did, it was hard to stop raving. 

Betsy and Larry ordered a hand crafted, dark chocolate caramel flaked with sea salt, and a French almond macaron.  After checking out the selection of wine that paired well with desserts, we all chose a glass of our preference. The patisseries also features a few local draught beers and specialty coffee drinks.  If chocolate isn't your thing (really, it's not?) no problem.  Pix also specializes in numerous non-chocolate pastries, too.

What's fun:  Goodness, how can I be any more enthusiastic?  I have to say everything about a visit to Pix is fun!  The funky location on Division Street, the bright red exterior and warm yellow interior, the cozy atmosphere, and of course, the incredible selection of mouth-watering temptations accompanied with a glass of wine or beer.  It was a perfect way to end a wonderful day in Oregon with two of our favorite friends.

Dundee, OR - Domaine Drouhin

The attractive entrance to Domaine Drouhin Winery. 

Domaine Drouhin offers wine tasting in a sophisticated atmosphere offering spectacular views.
What did we have: the standard three flight wine tasting plus the bonus of a couple of special varietals
What was fun: the scenery is breathtaking, the wine is elegant, and if they happen to open a few special bottles, you're in for a real treat.

Enjoying fine wine on the outdoor patio. 

After enjoying a leisurely hour of wine tasting at the comfortable Erath Winery with our good friends, Betsy and Larry, we only had time for one more stop that afternoon. So we made our way up the winding roads in Dundee, Oregon to the highly recommended Domaine Drouhin. The winery sits perched on top of a high hill. The unassuming entrance led way to the spacious tasting room and outdoor patio.  I would call the decor sophisticated minimalist, sleek styling featuring rich earth colors. Very fitting for the fine wine we tasted, and quite the opposite from the homey feel of Erath.  Once we ordered our wine tastings - a flight of three wines for $10 - we found a table on the outdoor patio and were impressed with the dramatic view of of the 225 acres of vineyards.  It was simply gorgeous. Sitting next to us was a table of patrons who clearly were VIPs.  The red carpet treatment was being offered this group as bottles were being opened and wine was being tossed out after a few sips.  This is important to note, because we benefited by their visit that afternoon.  Our attractive server was very informative, explaining about each wine we sampled. The Drouhin family also owns the Joseph Drouhin Winery in Burgandy, France. Both wineries produce outstanding wine and have won numerous awards internationally and are rated very highly by the Wine Spectator.

At Domaine Drouhin it's all about the wine and the view. 

What did we have:  We enjoyed all three wines offered in the standard flight.  Prices ranged from $30 a bottle for the crisp 2009 Oregon Chardonnay Arthur to $65 for the bold 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir Laurene.  We all enjoyed the $50 bottle of the 2009 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley where 95% of the grapes are estate grown and the taste is richly layered with bursts of fruit.  We were in for a real treat when our server brought us a couple leftovers from VIP table.  Our bonus wines included a Chablis produced in Burgandy, and the very special 2000 Oregon Pinot Noir Louise Cuvee, a bottle that usually sells for $100.  Even my unsophisticated palate could appreciate the depth and elegant character of a very good bottle of wine.

What was fun:  The setting itself is quite wonderful, and the wine is excellent.  Picnicking is not allowed at Domaine Drouhin, so a trip there is all about the wine and the view.  Although we thoroughly enjoyed our special wine tasting at the estate, none of us felt compelled to buy a bottle to bring home.  Since several varietals are widely distributed, it won't preclude me from purchasing a bottle or two in the future.

Dundee,OR - Erath Winery

The colorful front entrance to Erath Winery's Tasting Room.

Erath Winery offers a relaxing atmosphere in a lovely setting featuring excellent, moderately priced wine.
What did we have: a sampling of Erath wine while sitting on the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards
What was fun: drinking quality wine with good friends in a scenic location

It's hard to beat an afternoon of wine tasting in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  It is even better when you're  reconnecting with good friends who have relocated to the area.  We chose Erath Winery as our first stop.  Erath has wide distribution of their well known Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, and we've enjoyed many a bottle over the years in Georgia.  I was curious to try some of the estate wines and other varietals.  We drove up a winding gravely road surrounded by fields of grape vines on our approach to the winery.  The tasting room and outdoor patio is located at the winery on the top of a rolling hills with rows upon rows of ripening grapes,  After enjoying a substantial and tasty lunch at the Community Plate in downtown McMinnville, we did not bring a picnic lunch as you are invited to do at the winery.  We definitely wanted to sit outdoors where we could enjoy our conversation while leisurely tasting wine and taking in the scenery.  It was a lovely experience.

A couple of happy wine tasters.

What did we have:  The wine tasting consists of six samples of wine for $10.  If you spend $30 on wine, the tasting is free.  Since there were four of us, and planned to make at least one more winery stop, we chose to share two tastings.  Our server brought them out to us, and for over an hour we tasted wine, enjoyed our converstaion, and took in the beautiful view. We sampled a 2010 Pinot Gris Rose, 2010 Pinot Blanc, 2009 Pinot Gris, 2009 Estate Selection Pinot Noir, 2008 Battle Creek Pinot Noir and a 2008 Leland Pinot Noir.  Bottle prices range from high teens to around 50 dollars.  We enjoyed them all, but my favorite was the moderately priced  Estate Pinot Noir. It has a hint of fruit and hint of smoke, bold yet bright, with a smooth finish.  My husband liked the festive Pinot Blanc so we left with a bottle of each. Our friends also bought a bottle of Pinot Noir, so there was so the tasting fee was waived.  

The view from the outdoor patio.

What was fun:  Erath is the perfect setting to enjoy wine tasting with friends.  The location, nestled in the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley, enhanced the experience. The hostess was relaxed and unpretentious, and encouraged us to enjoy our time there. The quality of the wine is good and the prices were friendly to our dwindling vacation budget. Next time we'll bring some cheese, bread and fruit along with us, drink a little more wine, and linger a little longer.

Decatur, GA - The Brick Store Pub

A crowd gathers outside the popular Brick Store Pub.

Last weekend my husband and I went to Atlanta to do a little shopping and catch a Braves game.  Long story short, we never made it to the Braves game, but we did discover a great new pub which rates high in ambiance, good food and, especially, great beer.  The Brick Store Pub is located in the heart of Decatur, Georgia, an intown suburb of Atlanta.  Decatur is a progressive city with a trendy downtown made up of mostly independent restaurants, shops and businesses.  The Brick Store is perfectly located and perfectly named.  The pub has a brick exterior and beautiful exposed brick walls on the interior.  It's is small, cozy and is eclectically decorated with art and photographs.  The Brick Store has an upstairs loft which is named the Belgian Bar, and hence, serves Belgian, high gravity draft beers.  The eight taps rotate regularly.  Downstairs the pub has 17 taps, all craft beer, some popular local brews and some lesser known.  I was lucky to discover a new ale that has become a fast favorite.

A LaTrappe Witte and a Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo.  Yum!

What did we have:  I wanted to try something I had never had before and the Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo sounded interesting.  Jolly Pumpkin is an artisan brewery in Dexter, Michigan and I was not familiar with it's beer.  I was lucky to get the last pour from that keg, because this is one special beer.  I think the Brick Store staff did a good job with the description on the menu "an amazingly complex beer with layer after layer of interesting flavors. Some funk in the finish"  My husband chose, a LaTrappe Witte,from the Netherlands, the only Trappist white beer in the world.  He enjoyed it thoroughly.  The Brick Store offers some fine grub, too.  The locally grown philosophy was very apparent in the Veggie Sammy that I ordered.  It was bursting with fresh vegetables and spread with a spicy white bean hummus on foccacia.  Excellent!  My husband chose another of his favorites,  the bratwurst.  The side we chose was heirloom tomatoes with vinaigrette. The food was a perfect pairing with our tasty brews.

Great energy, great atmosphere at the Brick Store Pub.

What was fun:  The Brick Store Pub is popular! Arriving at 5 pm we were lucky to get the last available table.  By the time we left there was a crowd outside waiting.  That said, the atmosphere is lively, with great energy.  The service was excellent and the staff was willing to talk about the beers, make recommendations, provide info about the history and insight about the philosophy of the pub.  It's been successful for 14 years and strives to offer selections of beer that are not always available in the area.  The beer will change seasonally and I imagine if I were to return this weekend there would be new choices. Although we're not able to return this weekend, we definitely will return to the Brick Store Pub.  And if you're ever lucky enough to be in downtown Decatur, GA, I recommend you check it out, too. 










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.