Celebrating Local Craft Beer at Cast Brauerei's Hopfenfest

Celebrating Local Craft Beer at Cast Brauerei's Hopfenfest

Even though the Volksfest is over for this season, we're still celebrating the arrival of fall with craft beer and various smaller festivals. In fact, this past weekend we attended the Hopfenfest at Cast Brauerei. We first heard about this local brewery about a year ago from some of our foodie friends. I can't say that I know many people who've heard of them (they don't sell any of their beer in the grocery stores because they brew in such small batches), though they always seem to be sold out due to their popularity. 

According to their website, the name Cast comes from CA for California and ST for Stuttgart. Their logo -- a crest with a bear and horse -- similarly comes from the California and Stuttgart flags. Their speciality is  California-style ale, which seems to be rather rare in Germany, though I feel like I've seen similar craft brewers become more and more popular over the past few years. Cast itself was only established in 2010...

Craft Beer and Burgers at 87

Craft Beer and Burgers at 87

Before I start my review, I have to confess something: I don't like Pils. At least that is to say, I don't like any of the German Pils that I've had (nor any of the American ones for that matter). Sure, I understand the principal of having a neutral or light beer with your food to quench your thirst, but I prefer my alcoholic beverages to complement my food, not just wash it down.

Unfortunately, it seemed like when we moved to Germany a little over three years ago that Pils and Hefeweizen were the only two options. And while I'm still amazed that we've found longer beer lists on our trips abroad, I am pleased to say that Stuttgart, and to some extent Germany, finally seem to be getting on the craft beer wagon...

Celebrating Food and Friends at the Persian Restaurant

Celebrating Food and Friends at the Persian Restaurant

Although I've been to Kanalstraße many times to eat at QQ Sushi, I've somehow always missed the Persian Restaurant tucked next to QQ. Though the sign above their door is clear, the façade always seems lost among QQ's more ostentatious hanging lanterns, overflowing patio, potted plants, and Japanese paintings. In fact, I'd quite forgotten about the Persian Restaurant until a friend dined there a few weeks ago and raved about the food. And so when he chose to celebrate his birthday there, I couldn't refuse...

A Wine Weekend in the Pfalz

A Wine Weekend in the Pfalz

I was first introduced to the Pfalz wine region a couple of years ago by a foodie friend of mine. She took us to one of her favorite vineyards so that we could stock up her wine cellar. Since then, I've made it a point to order wines from the region when they're offered at restaurants or to look for the region on labels in the grocery store. And so when that same friend invited me back last weekend for a wine tasting, I was thrilled to accept...

Castles, Caves, and Trout...Oh My!

Castles, Caves, and Trout...Oh My!

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Germany? For some, it's the folk music and Trachten (traditional dress). For others, like me, it's the beer, pretzels, and sausages. But for many, it's the fairytale castles perched over breathtaking landscapes. I saw one such castle this past weekend and had a delicious meal that I'd like to share...

Fresh Vietnamese Cuisine at Breitengrad 17

Fresh Vietnamese Cuisine at Breitengrad 17

This past week a new colleague of mine threw a birthday part at Breitengrad 17, a Vietnamese restaurant downtown (déjà vu, anyone?). The restaurant has been on our list to try for some time, but with Takeshii's being one of our long-time favorites, we've usually just gone there instead. However, with such a great opportunity, we couldn't turn it down...

Variety and Quality at the Street Food Festival Böblingen-Sindelfingen

Variety and Quality at the Street Food Festival Böblingen-Sindelfingen

I've been so thrilled to experience the recent boom in street food in Stuttgart. Ever since the first (slightly unfortunate) event back in May, it seems organizers have been trying hard to learn from past mistakes and make these kinds of festivals worthwhile. I've been particularly impressed by the recent Street Food Thursdays in the Karlsplatz. If you follow me on Facebook, you've probably seen my photos from the past couple of Thursdays, which have offered more craft beers, more vegan and vegetarian options, and more international cuisine. 

In fact, Facebook is how I first heard about the Street Food Festival in Böblingen-Sindelfingen. They've been posting teaser photos for months, so I knew this weekend's festival was going to be good. Unlike past events, they extended the festival to cover three days, helping to prevent a rush all on one day. They also charged a 3€ entrance fee. Now I know that they can be controversial, but I understand the need when you have to cover costs like trash cans, security, and toilets. And although the festival was a 20-minute ride on the S-bahn from the city center, it was located in the spacious "airfield" right next to the station...

Recap: A Relaxing Weekend on the Bodensee

Recap: A Relaxing Weekend on the Bodensee

With summer winding down, my husband and I decided to take one last weekend trip to enjoy the beautiful weather. We've stayed local this summer after our amazing trip to Ireland, choosing to visit some of the nearby sights of Schwäbisch Hall and Schloss Hohenzollern instead. We've been all over Baden-Württermberg, but one location remained on our list: the Bodensee. 

I remember before we moved to Suttgart three years ago that a friend of ours who studied abroad in Konstanz (also known as Constance in English) on the Bodensee (or Lake Constance) said it was the most beautiful place he'd ever been and that we had to visit. Still, we always pushed aside our plans to travel there as the train fare was either too expensive or we couldn't find an affordable hotel at short notice. However, with a little planning ahead and a creative definition of a weekend (Sunday-Monday), I was able to pull something together. And so, with our tickets booked and our bag packed, we set out on the 2-1/2 journey south of Stuttgart to Konstanz...

Celebrating the Humble Onion at Esslingen's 29th Annual Zwiebelfest

Celebrating the Humble Onion at Esslingen's 29th Annual Zwiebelfest

The Esslinger Zwiebelfest (translated: Esslingen Onion Festival) has been going on now for the past week, but with the Stuttgart Sommerfest and Thursday Street Food Market also in town, we've pushed this one back until this weekend. With our Saturday free, we decided to make the trip out for lunch.

We had an easy 15-minute ride from the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to Esslingen's main station on one of the regional trains. From there we walked to Esslingen's Marktplatz, about another 10 minutes from the station and through the weekly Saturday produce market along Bahnhofstraße. We were greeted by a large blue sign announcing the onion festival in the Marktplatz, which is also the site of Esslingen's yearly Christmas Market.  It's a really lovely square surrounded by half-timbered houses, and you can even see the old Medieval wall and the vineyards surrounding Esslingen in the distance. Along the south side of the square is the imposing St. Dionysius Church and the location of Kessler, Germany's oldest Sekt (sparkling wine) producer...