Zwei rauchbier, bitte! (Aber wo?)

April 29, 2007 11:02 AM

What in Alsace and/or Bavaria and the Romantic Road should two bier-vergnügen people experience?

We're planning a 2.5 week vacation that starts in SW Germany (Lauterecken), swings down through northern France, including Nancy, Strasbourg, and the Alsatian wine road, then heads over to the Black Forest, and up the Romantic Road ending in Bamberg before we go home. Obviously, we are fans of good beer and wine; where should we visit in this region, and what beers and wines should we try? Would also love recommendations for lodging along the Romantic Road.

We won't forget to see the Zugspitze and Neuschwanstein, of course, but what is there off the beaten path?

Many thanks, MeFi wanderers!

posted by TochterAusElysium to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

When are you going? The Bergkirchweih in Erlangen starts May 24, I think.
posted by Ironmouth at 11:10 AM on April 29, 2007

I recommend Hugel & Fils and Maison Trimbach for tours and tastings.
posted by ericb at 11:21 AM on April 29, 2007

Staufen, near Freiburg, enchanted me completely. I got there by train from Freiburg and stayed in a B&B. Lovely.

Annecy, near Chamonix, same. So beautiful. Charming.

My favorite Rhein castle was Burg Rheinfels near St. Goar. Especially since you didn't need a tourguide and could roam all over the place at will. INCLUDING the super cool underground tunnels, flashlight needed.

Have a lovely time. That is my absolutely favorite area of France and Germany.
posted by jeanmari at 11:50 AM on April 29, 2007

Whoops. Annecy is too far afield for your trip. Sorry. But the others are geographically close.
posted by jeanmari at 11:55 AM on April 29, 2007

Sorry; I should have mentioned that the trip is in June. Great thoughts so far - more are welcome!
posted by TochterAusElysium at 12:02 PM on April 29, 2007

Here are the guesthouses in Staufen proper. The afternoon that I spent eating Brie and strawberries for a picnic in the shadows of the castle ruins was only slightly more awesome than the evening I spent drinking wine with the locals at the outdoor wine bar near the town square.

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!! *sob*
posted by jeanmari at 12:09 PM on April 29, 2007

You must stop by Colmar in Alsace. Although I never made it there, the Haut Koenigsburg castle in Alsace is supposed to be wonderful. Freiburg, in the Black Forest, is a lovely town in its own right, with an impressive daily market around its fun Munster.
posted by walla at 3:56 PM on April 29, 2007

I'll second the Colmar and Haut Koenigsurg castle. Nearby is Riquevihr, a quaint walled city with plenty of wine cellars for your sampling needs.

Also, be sure to spend some time in Freiburg. I lived in the area for several years and never grew tired of the place.
posted by vagabond at 6:23 AM on April 30, 2007