Behind Beaufort Market in London, near the public restrooms, is a GREAT little beer bar called the Rake. The staff, Brooklyn Hipster types, with a complete knowledge of all of the beers and breweries. A little inside and even smaller outside. This is a must after grabbing some amazing street food at the market.
So, we walk out of our hotel in the Old Town and each step we take we find another beer garden. Open air, ice cold lagers and pilsners…doesn’t get much better.
How much more fun could I have. The Augustiner Braustubl (Brewery and Beer Garden). there are two ways to eat and drink. You certainly can get service, however, the “schank” (self-service) is so much more fun. You pay the cashier and get a reciept. Then you go and pick your mug or mugs as the case may be. You bring them over to the sink and wash them yourself. Then you go to the guy and he fills up your beers. No frills but just great ice cold lager. Sit down in the 1000 seat beirgarten and enjoy. For eats, once again self service, just go upstairs and grab a brat, pretzel or Schneitzel. Or why not all three!!!!
I thought it was going to be a pure tourist trap, but the tourists were actually in the minority. When it starts to fill up, you can also invite strangers to share your table, which we did.. They spoke hardly any English and our German was pretty bad, but we all agreed that good beer and food is the universal language. PROST!