November 2023 – Germany

ACHTUNG!!

Now that I have your attention, lets visit Germany, which is exactly what we did on Debbie’s birthday in November! Yes Mousechowers, we are actually way behind! We had grand plans to do another country in December, but between holiday parties, hosting family, and traveling to visit family, December was over in the blink of an eye!!

Now the holidays are over and we are hungry and ready to chow down again! Besides, what else is there to do in January/February except go to Disney World and EAT!?

So, back to November and Germany…. Side note, Debbie is 1/4 German. Her grandfather Ewald immigrated through Ellis Island with his father in 1908 when he was 11 years old after the death of his mother, Debbie’s Great-Grandmother. They came through on the US Bremen. His older sister Leisle was already in America as she was married to an American. We’re sure that is how Debbie came to love beer so much! …maybe Lexi has some German in her ancestral genes as well…

Edwald in Chemnitz, Germany in 1902. He was born in 1896.

Edwald in America

Edwald as Debbie remembers him

As always, we started in the Rose and Crown pub for a quick pint. There were 9 of us for this dinner so it really was like herding cats!! As much fun as a big group can be…keeping everyone together and on task is so difficult!!

By the time we arrived in Germany, it was raining and a bit and cold…so a good day for a long leisurely meal with entertainment. The restaurant here is called the Biergarten Restaurant, of course. A Biergarten in Germany is exactly what the name suggests, an “outdoor area in which beer and food are served, typically at shared tables shaded by trees”. There is quite an interesting history behind the Biergartens: basically they were places where the various brewery’s could promote their product. Like an outdoor beer tasting room!

We checked in for our reservation and after a very short wait, and wrangling our group together (they will not seat you until your entire party is there), we were soon led to our table. Just like in a traditional Biergarten, the tables here are long, long enough to seat a group of 9! If you have a smaller group, you will more than likely be seated with another smaller group. It’s a great way to enjoy the experience even more and meet new people!

A very blurry picture of a very pretty sign outside the restaurant! I debated on adding it…Lol

The restaurant is set up like a theater with various levels. Through the magic of Disney, you are transported to an outdoor Biergarten during a festival! There is a stage front and center where the German band plays and sings. In front of this is an area that allows for dancing, which is highly encouraged and downright fun! We have been to eat at the Biergarten quite a few times in the past. The show and eh food is basically always the same, but the fun and the experience you have are always different! Plus, get enough Warsteiners in you and you will definitely be in the mood for dancing!

The food is a smorgasbord of German delights and all you can eat ($49 + tax/gratuity for adults/$27 + tax/gratuity for children 3-9). There are traditional German dishes complete with pretzel bread. One member of our family has Celiac’s Disease and cannot eat gluten, but in traditional Disney hospitality, the Chef came from the kitchen to discuss his allergies and food options. Did they disappoint? Absolutely not. They brought him a gluten-free German feast, including a dessert just for him…and the food just kept coming because that boy can eat!!

The rest of us could make as many trips to the food as we wished. Everyone seemed to have their favorites. They had all the meats…a fan favorite is the pork schnitzel. They have spatzle and warm German potato salad, veggies and salads galore. You want sauerkraut or potatoes? They have them!! Roast chicken, sausages, I’m pretty sure they didn’t forget a thing! Please save room for the desserts because there are tons of them, too!!

These go so quickly!!! Thankfully they keep filling it up!!

This vanilla cream (left) is to die for!!! It goes perfectly with the warm streusel!

German food is very hearty and very filling, especially when you add a few German beers to wash it all down. And they certainly have German beers along with Schnapps and shots!

Berry compote with apple strudel and vanilla sauce!!!

Remember way up at the top we mentioned it was Debbie’s birthday the day we did this? Of COURSE we celebrated!!!

Of course there were presents, too!!

The Germany area of Epcot is really such a fun spot to hang out, grab a beer and pretzel and just relax and enjoy the ambiance. The streets are like a German town center complete with cobblestone roads and a fountain in the center. There are cute shops to mosey in and out of where they sell steins, cuckoo clocks, candy, and ornaments and other Christmas items in a year-round Christmas shop! The smell emanating from the Werthers caramel shop is intoxicating! They should sell candles with that scent!

Go here for wine tastings!!

Verabschiedung, until next time!  Thanks for sticking with us, Mousechowers!!