Fränkischen Bierfest

Starkbierfest is currently underway in München - on a side note.

I went 3 years and it pretty much only attracts the Munich crowd. Great time.

 

Interesting that BrauKunst Live! is going on this weekend. Wonder if that little bit of "competition" is intentional or accidental?

As to the Bierfest in Nuernberg, I stumbled upon it once, but it wasn't quite the event it is now. I have heard good things... But personally, I never felt like I gained anything by traveling to Nuernberg for beer. Erlangen and the Bergkirchweih was as far south in Franken as I would typically go as a specifically beer destination.

 

It depends what you are interested in. If you want a large number of different beers, go to this. But most German fests are not like that. They serve one or two beers from a local brewery. In June there will be stacks of local festivals in the villages and small towns. I would rather go to those as they have more local character.

 

Here's a brochure from last year's calendar for Kirchweih beer fests in and around Bamberg. These are local with lots of great beer, very authentic atmosphere, and good food. Lots happening in June (starting around p 10):

http://kerwakalender.de/_plaza/kika_web.pdf

 

I really enjoyed Maifest in Freising, just to throw out an option.

 

PLEASE NOTE: this is the 2014 guide. Dates will be different in 2015...

 

It just seems to be saying that Friday to Monday (I imagine you got that part) that there will be various amusements mainly aimed at kids and live music. Nothing about beer, which is the important part.

 

Ummm...perhaps you forget that *every* fest over there includes beer? I remember walking into a locally owned department store in Bamberg during their big spring sales event/fest and finding beer garden tables with draft beer and food set up inside the store!

 

That wasn't meant to imply there wouldn't be beer, just that there's nothing particularly relevant to the subject of the site on that page. I've lived in apartment buildings with vending machines with beer in them. Of course there's beer.

 

Nice. Now that's a beer culture!

 

Barnikel is a real treat. If you haven't been, I'd suggest heading out to Herrnsdorf for that reason alone (and maybe even primarily to visit Barnikel...the Dorf is *very* rural, and you may end up being the only non-locals in attendance at any Kerwa). Keep in mind, though, that Barnikel has experienced some "hiccups" of late with the sanitation in their brewery and even been temporarily shut down for periods to literally clean up their act. That said, the Rauchbier when fresh is very good, as is the rustic pale Lager. Looks like they are doing a Dunkel and a Weizen now, too. Love those labels... Oh yea, and their food is rustic but generally excellent. As you'll see if you go, the twin waitress sisters seem to enjoy it...

 

Yea, there were some sanitation issues back then (can't say I'm surprised, but...). Didn't know they are still contract brewing. Will be interested to see/hear how the beers are now.