Franconian Beer Message Board

OT: Visit to Eschawo

Posted by Barry on 2014-08-30 13:21:04

I've held off making regular postings about our visit to Eschawo because it's not truly Franken beer business and regular forummers (that's most people) have heard it all before. So, just a brief summary of nearly 7 weeks in the Zoigl Hauptstadt.

We were a little apprehensive about making the visit because of last year's tragedy but decided that it would be worse not to go. In the event, it was a very happy trip with only a few tears in memory of our friend and jovial host, Charly Kellermann. Charly's Thursday garden parties were legendary and his friends are trying to keep them going with a monthly party, hosted by different people. We were lucky in that August's party was held at Gloser's, with Martin generously donating Zoigl for the occasion and Hermione providing a delicious spread. They really are great hosts and the Zoigl was in top form. I even had a dabble with a Fass - not so tricky - and Martin showed me his Keller and explained his set up.

Once experiment that has not proved so successful is adding Weisse Schwan to the monthly rota. Schwannere doesn't have its own fermenting tanks and relies on Zoigl vom Fass, supplied by Robert Sperber. Now Robbie is an excellent brewer but this practice illustrated that bottom fermented beer just doesn't live long in the Fass. Thus, the beer was ok on Friday & Saturday but, by Sunday, was getting worse for wear and, by Monday was virtually undrinkable. The probelm was 'solved' by buying a few kegs from Friedenfelser but this is hardly in the spirit of Echte Zoigl. Not surprisingly, the experiment will not continue for 2015.

I understand that 1 innovation for 2015 is to have 3 Stub'n open on 3 weekends during the year. This is like a 'kleine Tages des Zoigl', a la Neuhaus, and is intended to give potential visitors the opportunity to sample a range of beers without doing a 'Taylor' and staying for several weeks. With Loistl on a Tuesday, it would be possible to try 4 different Stub'n, plus whatever is open in Neuhaus. Worse keeping an eye open for, if you intend to visit.

Talking of Loistl, they continue in their own merry, semi-independent way; unfortunately, the clientele is getting a bit thin on the ground, mainly consisting of pensioners, with inevitable results. As for the other Stub'n, Binner continues to be great, with Robbie Sperber the most generous and convivial host - plus ever improving English, as does Schlosshof, with the ever hospitable and friendly Peter and Lizzie Weiss. Fiedelschneider has improved a little but, like Posterer, would not be my personal favourites - only a personal view, of course. Sadly, Roud'n was only open once during our visit but is still an excellent venue.

Neuhaus is generally our Sunday and Monday afternoon venue - a nice walk up through the woods to work up our thirsts. Schoilmichel was excellent as was Teicher, while Bahler and Lingl were ok without hitting the heights - for various reasons, we didn't make Schafferhof. Unoubtedly our favourite is Kack'n - really excellent Zoigl, friendly hosts (even without speaking English) and we always seem to meet people to speak to.

We had a couple of lovely day's out, thanks to our Stamtisch Bretheren, Ludwig and Wolfy. I've already described Moedlreuth, but we also visited the volcano and museum at nearby Parkstein. Highly recommended, especially the volcano demonstration in the museum! Unfortunately, the Zoiglstube wasn't open.

We became 'celebrities' for a time through the newspaper article, with people stopping us in the street to chat and many people in Stub'n amazed at a7-week visit! Will we go back next year? Well, next year seems a long time off but it's hard to imagine that we won't. For 7-weeks, well, some people want us to stay for longer, with dark mutterings about houses for sale. Purchases seem unlikely at this time of our life but, apart from long, dark and cold winters, there can't be many nicer places to live.

OT: Visit to Eschawo by mike004 on 2014-09-02 02:12:22

OT: Visit to Eschawo by Barry on 2014-09-02 06:40:23