Some Bierfests, Ascension, and not really a Bridge Update

Bierfest Stuff

Two weekends ago the Reinheitsgebot turned 500 years old. ((At least, the Bavarian version of that law did. Wikipedia knows more.)) Whether that law is still a good thing, or is worth respecting for its age (versus similar, older laws), is kinda irrelevant, if the weather’s getting nicer and you’re looking for an excuse to party. So, lots of areas of Germany did, including Regensburg. Continue reading Some Bierfests, Ascension, and not really a Bridge Update

Let the Beer Gardening begin

The weather’s been nice enough for beer garden visits for months now, but I tend to think of the kick-off of the Maidult (Regensburg’s Spring Festival) as the true opening of the season. Yesterday, pleased to be able to get out of work at a reasonable time, I zipped home on my bike, changed my clothes, and we headed out into the street to watch the parade of local clubs marching onto our island toward the Dultplatz. Then it was just a few steps further over to the Spitalgarten for dinner.

I’m not sure what the deal with the Zombie Bride & Groom was, or what their association with Regensburg’s Youth Wind Ensemble was. Continue reading Let the Beer Gardening begin

Nice night for it

I met up with some local friends for dinner last night and almost didn’t grab the camera on my way out the door. I’m glad I did. I’m also glad I took an unusual (for me) route to the restaurant, heading west on our island first and then crossing the Danube on the Eiserne Steg instead of taking the Steinerne Brücke across the Danube first and then walking the city streets to the restaurant.

I came back a slightly different route, past one of our favorite Biergärten (for the setting, but not the service) and the scene struck me as a little sad, like everyone’s just in a holding pattern until it’s time to break out the Glühwein and tolerate being active outside again.

kicking off the baseball weekend

Beer Night 1

Beer Night 2

Beer Night 3

Sarah organized an evening out at Alte Linde which really hit the spot after closing out the work week. We were looking forward to perhaps exposing the less local people to Alte Linde who haven’t been there before, but in the end it turned out to be all locals or local expatriates who showed up (most were familiar to us but there were a few new faces too). It was a little bumpy at the beginning with the reservation (click that to see our review and get the details) but it worked out in the end.

Tonight we’re scheduled for dinner at some Italian place on the island and we’ve signed up tomorrow for the final game in the tournament. Hope the weather stays as good as it is right now.

P.S. — No hot dogs at the ol’ ballpark, but you can get a Bratwurstsemmel, according to Christina and Rainer. I guess that’s close enough.

cruising the Danube down to Kelheim and back

Today, on Tammy’s brother Mark’s last day in town, the five of us piled into their car, drove to Kelheim, hopped aboard a river cruise ship and cruised upstream to Weltenburg for lunch. We had to cut the trip short, unfortunately, because Matthias felt ill. But it was still fun and at least we managed to be under the awning for lunch while it was raining.

Notables counter-clockwise, from top left:

  • that’s the Befreiungshalle commemorating victory against Napoleon, as seen from around a bend in the river
  • I had a smoked salmon. This guy had a lemon wedge propping him up from the inside. Everyone else was seemed thoroughly disgusted, but I thought it was great.
  • Tammy discovered that pregnant women lunching at the Weltenburg Monastery get free booties when they visit the ladies’ room. Nice, huh?

Befreiungshalle Tammy and restroom lady booties Forelle