What makes for a great Biergarten?

I don't think a beer garden in the U.S. needs to attempt to replicate the look and feel of a European one but if it does that's OK. Besides great beer I like:
- shade
- plenty of long tables that invite camaraderie
- no TV
- combination of outdoor and indoor seating
- make the most of the local geography. e.g. if mountains nearby, a view of them.
- sheltered from noisy traffic both aurally and visually.

 

Urban Chestnut has tried to create a Biergarten and it's my favorite place to drink in St. Louis, but without the trees, it's just not right.

 

A simple but tasty draught Kellerbier priced around €2 for a half litre.

Schnitzel and chips for €5-6.

A decent area to leave bikes.

 

Years ago they used to do concerts.
Some really good bands played there in the early 2000's..
When they stopped is when I lost interest.
Also happened to coincide with the explosion of beer gardens in the city...and better availbility of beer.

 

Ideally it would been on a hill, so you could burn a few calories walking or cycling to it.

Beer also tastes a lot better if you've got a nice view while drinking.

 

Nice weather

 

Good beer.

 

I knew this pic would emerge !!!

 

I'd say: Awesome beer, large selection of awesome beer, great food, cool environment and surroundings, and laid back people working there.

Start at Stone and you've pretty much got it. I really can't think of a cooler place to enjoy beer.

 

Trees you say?

 

The beer garden scene in NYC and Philly is really top notch right now.

The best ones have some common traits, including

• affordability
• a simple yet well-rounded draught list and food menu
• open air and indoor seating
• high-quality wooden tables and benches
• games like ping pong
• (an attractive and lively crowd never hurt anyone either)

I've been digging Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (Queens), Beer Authority (Manhattan), Berg'n (Brooklyn), Frankford Hall (Philly), The Standard Biergarten (Manhattan), Independence Beer Garden (Philly), Memphis Taproom), and Morgan's Pier.

I think Bohemian Beer Hall and Frankford Hall are the two best examples of a personal "perfect" beer garden in the country.

 

Yeah, it needs trees, but it also needs elbow space. For me, that is just way too close to hearing everyone's conversations, noise, etc.

 

What are some good beer gardens in Manhattan?

 

-Selection doesn't need to be large, but should cover a handful of styles
-Offer liters
-Spacious, with communal seating to encourage camaraderie among strangers
-Good, simple food that doesn't always require utensils
-Priced with quantity/value in mind

And although I don't think that a biergarten must necessarily be of German influence in its particulars…

-Opening early for Bundesliga matches a major plus

 

It's actually outdoors. People shouldn't call Beer Halls "Biergartens."

 

Gah, beat my to it by one post! There are so many places that claim to have biergartens or call themselves a biergarten that have literally zero outdoor space. There's a place here in Asheville called "The Bier Garten" and doesn't even have so much as an open window. It's just a sports bar.

 

There's a local NYC beer blogger who writes about it all the time when someone gets it wrong: http://brewyorknewyork.com/post/20975179803/what-is-and-isnt-a-beer-garden

 

The people that gather there.
The beer.
The atmosphere.
A quality pretzel.
Music.

 

<----Girls, surfing in Dirndls, on their break, in a river, right next to the venue. (see profile pic)

 

Wow. On the Isar in Munich? My best guess, that is pretty fantastic.