Brauerei Kathi Bräu

It was a fairly clear late afternoon on my way to Kathi-Bräu when a light rain began. I wasn't sure what to expect there but I figured it would work out if they were open. The rain had stopped by the time I arrived, pulling onto a green field that acts as their parking lot. I was quite surprised to find that there were several tour buses there, and at least a few dozen motorcycles, I'd say 40 or more. I walked through what seemed almost like a scene from a Disney movie, passing between some very nice farmhouse buildings to find a dark wood building and biergarten. There's an area that's covered with maybe a dozen picnic tables beneath it but they were all full. In all, I counted about 30 tables. The rain had stopped but it seemed as if it might start again, there was a light mist in the air - fortunately it did not, and the skies had clearly to blue by the time I left. My wife and I found a spot, which wasn't easy, and the benches weren't really wet at all as people had been sitting there. We ordered beers and some obatzda and a meat and cheese plate. There was only one beer available, a dunkels lagerbier, which is apparently almost always the case although they will occasionally produce a seasonal beer instead, or so I was told by the family seated next to me. There were three or four children with them, and what seemed like one of their children who also had a baby in a stroller. The children were bored and wandered off to play in the pathway alongside the biergarten. On my other side were a young couple dressed in their pretty serious moto-gear. One by one the tables under cover opened up but we were still waiting for our food and the weather was clearing up so we didn't bother to move, and then, for whatever reason, the place just cleared out. I guess the tour buses were leaving and the bikers wanted to get back on the road now that the rain had passed. The beer was excellent and the food was quite nice, as it always is in Germany, always the best quality, and we quite enjoyed our time there. Despite the fact that they only offer one beer I'll probably return the next time I visit Bamberg as the setting is so idyllic.

A beer this good is not judged by the price at all. I have not been here in a number of years but it has not changed much. Heckenhof is deep within what the many refer to as Little Switzerland. It is some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Just around 8 miles out of Bamberg it is a great destination for a one day excursion. There are 4 or 5 different small breweries on the way, and it is a wonderful drive. If you are there in the summer time the outdoor beer garden is spectacular. Fritz is the Brau Meister there, and he really knows his beer. If you happen to run into him, mention my name, Randy from California, and I am sure you will receive an extra warm welcome.

Now the BEER. Kathi Brau is only served from the tap. It is not bottled. It is very dark but at the same time it does not have that bitter hoppy flavor that all the American micro breweries are into. I prefer a smoother beer like this one, yet it is full bodied and has a bit of a punch to it. I do not know the alcohol content but I would have to guess around 8-8 1/2% but that is just a guess, be careful, it will sneak up on you. Now I put the selection as perfect because there is only 1 beer to choose from and in my opinion that 1 is perfect.