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Baden-Württemberg’s best beer gardens

The Local's guide to Germany's best beer gardens heads to the home of the Black Forest for some southwestern flair.

Published: 17 June 2009 17:39 CEST

Stuttgart

Gaststätte Schwarzbach

Located at the edge of an industrial park, this football club house has earned the loyalty of many a thrifty, finicky Stuttgarter. Boasting a menu full of authentic Swabian dishes and several fresh beers on tap, Gaststätte Schwarzbach incorporates a sunny terrace with around 70 seats. Whether you’re scouring the local gastronomic scene for someone to cater your next party, or just looking to lounge about in peace while the kids romp on the adjacent playground, this lively locale shan’t go ignored.

0.3L beer from €2.00

Open daily from 11:00 am

www.schwarz-bach.de

Biergarten im Schlossgarten

Biergarten im Schlossgarten goes to great lengths to liven up the summer-lounging experience with an eccelectic mix of live music as many as three nights a week. Located at the edge of Stuttgart’s central Schlosspark, this locale allows patrons to bring their own food, falling in line with more traditional German beer garden code. Vivid greenery surrounds the extra-large terrace, which even features a lovely, Swabian-style maypole in summer. Folks here also don’t hesistate to bust out the big screens for things like the Euro and World Cup – so if there’s a football championship going on do remember your team jersey.

0.5L beer from €3.20

Open daily from 10:30 am

www.biergarten-schlossgarten.de/

Stadtstrand

Located outside the city centre, Stuttgart’s Stadtstrand is all the more mellow for it. Some 120 tonnes of sand, sun umbrellas and tiki torches take the place of gravel and chestnut trees, so that your sojourn here may feel more like a Mediterranean vacation than a Bavarian one. But a cold brewsky and open atmosphere add that very special beer garden touch. Be sure to check out the on-site beach volleyball courts and, for the kiddos, a playground complete with trick fountains. The grill at this riverside hang-out also incorporates some vegetarian menu options.

0.33L beer from €2.60

Open daily from 12 noon

www.stadtstrand.com

Freiburg

Hausbrauerei Feierling

The first Helles type beer in Freiburg was brewed by this venue’s namesake, Julius Feierling, at the end of the 19th century. Following some name and address changes, the ever-popular Hausbrauerei Feierling finally settled near its original plot in the heart of the city’s old town in 1989. Under the management of fourth-generation family members, it also saw the reintroduction of the tasty, full-bodied beer for which it originally became famous. You can enjoy this institution’s house-brewed specialty Inselhopf along with a number of superb menu offerings under the restful shade of chestnut trees from March to late fall. Also: don’t miss your chance to peruse the on-site brewery with the brew master himself.

0.3L beer from €2.40

Open daily from 11 am

www.feierling.de

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BERLIN

EXPLAINED: Berlin’s latest Covid rules

In response to rapidly rising Covid-19 infection rates, the Berlin Senate has introduced stricter rules, which came into force on Saturday, November 27th. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 27 November 2021 16:16 CET
Updated: 29 November 2021 14:17 CET
A sign in front of a waxing studio in Berlin indicates the rule of the 2G system
A sign in front of a waxing studio indicates the rule of the 2G system with access only for fully vaccinated people and those who can show proof of recovery from Covid-19 as restrictions tighten in Berlin. STEFANIE LOOS / AFP

The Senate agreed on the tougher restrictions on Tuesday, November 23rd with the goal of reducing contacts and mobility, according to State Secretary of Health Martin Matz (SPD).

He explained after the meeting that these measures should slow the increase in Covid-19 infection rates, which was important as “the situation had, unfortunately, deteriorated over the past weeks”, according to media reports.

READ ALSO: Tougher Covid measures needed to stop 100,000 more deaths, warns top German virologist

Essentially, the new rules exclude from much of public life anyone who cannot show proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19. You’ll find more details of how different sectors are affected below.

Shops
If you haven’t been vaccinated or recovered (2G – geimpft (vaccinated) or genesen (recovered)) from Covid-19, then you can only go into shops for essential supplies, i.e. food shopping in supermarkets or to drugstores and pharmacies.

Many – but not all – of the rules for shopping are the same as those passed in the neighbouring state of Brandenburg in order to avoid promoting ‘shopping tourism’ with different restrictions in different states.

Leisure
2G applies here, too, as well as the requirement to wear a mask with most places now no longer accepting a negative test for entry. Only minors are exempt from this requirement.

Sport, culture, clubs
Indoor sports halls will off-limits to anyone who hasn’t  been vaccinated or can’t show proof of recovery from Covid-19. 2G is also in force for cultural events, such as plays and concerts, where there’s also a requirement to wear a mask. 

In places where mask-wearing isn’t possible, such as dance clubs, then a negative test and social distancing are required (capacity is capped at 50 percent of the maximum).

Restaurants, bars, pubs (indoors)
You have to wear a mask in all of these places when you come in, leave or move around. You can only take your mask off while you’re sat down. 2G rules also apply here.

Hotels and other types of accommodation 
Restrictions are tougher here, too, with 2G now in force. This means that unvaccinated people can no longer get a room, even if they have a negative test.

Hairdressers
For close-contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, it’s up to the service providers themselves to decide whether they require customers to wear masks or a negative test.

Football matches and other large-scale events
Rules have changed here, too. From December 1st, capacity will be limited to 5,000 people plus 50 percent of the total potential stadium or arena capacity. And only those who’ve been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed in. Masks are also compulsory.

For the Olympic Stadium, this means capacity will be capped at 42,000 spectators and 16,000 for the Alte Försterei stadium. 

Transport
3G rules – ie vaccinated, recovered or a negative test – still apply on the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses in Berlin. It was not possible to tighten restrictions, Matz said, as the regulations were issued at national level.

According to the German Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, people have to wear a surgical mask or an FFP2 mask  on public transport.

Christmas markets
The Senate currently has no plans to cancel the capital’s Christmas markets, some of which have been open since Monday. 

According to Matz, 2G rules apply and wearing a mask is compulsory.

Schools and day-care
Pupils will still have to take Covid tests three times a week and, in classes where there are at least two children who test positive in the rapid antigen tests, then tests should be carried out daily for a week.  

Unlike in Brandenburg, there are currently no plans to move away from face-to-face teaching. The child-friendly ‘lollipop’ Covid tests will be made compulsory in day-care centres and parents will be required to confirm that the tests have been carried out. Day-care staff have to document the results.

What about vaccination centres?
Berlin wants to expand these and set up new ones, according to Matz. A new vaccination centre should open in the Ring centre at the end of the week and 50 soldiers from the German army have been helping at the vaccination centre at the Exhibition Centre each day since last week.

The capacity in the new vaccination centre in the Lindencenter in Lichtenberg is expected to be doubled. There are also additional vaccination appointments so that people can get their jabs more quickly. Currently, all appointments are fully booked well into the new year.

 

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