Franconian Beer Message Board

Year-round Open Kellers are Open...Bärlauch Saison
Posted by Nick B. on 2011-04-06 23:26:30
Had some lovely weather last weekend, and made it to the Winterbauer and Rappen Keller(s) in the Forchheimer Kellerwald. Okay, both are open at weekends year-round, so this is nothing special, other than to report that there's a brand new wood-fired oven sitting outside at the Winterbauer Keller, where they're roasting Schäuferla, Hänchen, Haxen, etc. Didn't try any of that, but did share a nice Brotzeit of Kräuterquark mit Brot, herbed fresh curd, this time herbed with Bärlauch, a most excellent idea. And the Buttenheimer version of Pottensteiner Höhlentrunk on tap there, a malty Helles, was nice. The Löwenbräu Kellerbier at the Rappen Keller was "cleaner" than it had been in the previous couple of summers: no discernible diacytel and apple notes, just bitterness, though not enough hoppiness to make it a great Kellerbier like it used to be. Of course people pointed and stared at us for going from one Keller to the other, nothing new there. Then Sunday, a ride to the Buttenheimer Löwenbräu Keller saw the same thing there: improved Kellerbier over last year, but still not the great beer it used to be. Dined at the Egloffsteiner Hof in Altendorf --*excellent* as always-- and Georgenbräu's Pils is one of the world's great Pilseners. (Also great Bärlauch soup there.) AFAIK, Bärlauch doesn't exist in North America, at least I never encountered it in my Minnesconsin-Oregon former life anyway. Enjoy it while its short season lasts! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsons doesn't do it justice: it's like a sweet crossing of leeks and garlic but without any nasty after effects. If you see it on a menu, try it, especially at Italian places. Should be 25° and sunny today, and I've got the day mostly free. Will see if the Geisfelder Keller is open, and if not, the little Garten out back of the brewery.
 
Followups:
     Bärlauch Saison by TreinJan on  2011-04-07 03:10:08
       Bärlauch Saison by Nick B. on  2011-04-07 03:20:55
         Bärlauch Saison by TreinJan on  2011-04-07 03:47:44
           Bärlauch Saison by Nick B. on  2011-04-07 03:59:35
             Bärlauch Saison by Uncle Jimbo on  2011-04-07 07:15:38
               Bärlauch Saison by Jürgen Wening on  2011-04-07 15:58:30
                 Bärlauch Saison by DonS on  2011-04-08 10:38:11
                   Bärlauch Saison by TreinJan on  2011-04-08 12:33:33
                     Bärlauch Saison by Nick B. on  2011-04-09 02:19:40
                       Bärlauch Saison by Jürgen Wening on  2011-04-09 12:49:22
                         Bärlauch Saison by Uncle Jimbo on  2011-04-09 19:52:57
                           Bärlauch Saison by Nick B. on  2011-04-10 02:37:15
                             Bärlauch Saison by pivnizub on  2011-04-10 05:33:50