Von Rothenburg Bier Stube
Known as one of the best beer garden's in the state of Wisconsin, Von Rothenburg Bier Stube is the perfect place for any local or tourist looking for authentic German beer or just looking to kick back and enjoy one of the 200 beers from around the world. Try a lambic, an aged beer sweetened with fruit. Traditional lambics are made with kriek (cherry) or framboise (raspberry). For a fuller beer, look no further than a bock. Von Rothenburg features a Dopplebock, a full-bodied beer with a strong alcohol flavor that produces an Eisenbock if frozen, which can have an alcohol content up to 14 percent. Porter beers are also served here, along with Belgian ales and numerous other beers from countries such as Vietnam, Scotland, Ireland and Holland.
All beers are served in a 2 liter boot, 3 liter pilsner or a 5 liter mug. For those brave enough, Von Rothenburg provides rules of how to drink out of a German boot, which include tapping the boot with your fingers before and after taking a sip for good luck. Avoid setting the boot down on the table before finishing it, otherwise the next boot's on you.
Von Rothenburg offers an American-style menu of ribs and burgers and German food such as the pork rollbraten sandwich, a pulled pork sandwich with German seasonings and sauteed onions. During the summer months, Von Rothenburg features musicians playing button-box, tuba and spoons while dancing around in lederhosen.
Von Rothenburg Bier Stube
N116 W15841 Main St.
Germantown, WI 53022
262-251-4455
vonrothenburgs.com
Mader's
For those who want to explore outside of Germantown, try the Beer Barrel Ramble bike trail in Milwaukee. This 29 mile bike trail explores the oldest city in Wisconsin and takes you through numerous parks and settlements. After exploring the city, stop by Mader's, a German restaurant home to cuisine fit for presidents. Open since 1902, Mader's has served Presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and even hosted a luncheon for Gerald Ford.
While waiting for you table, start your night off right at the Knight's Bar, where you can choose from wines, specialty drinks, scotch or one of Mader's many beers. Try their most popular beer, the Franziskaner Weiss, served either Hefe (light) or Dunkel (dark). Don't forget to order it in a glass boot.
Once you've got your beverage of choice, get a meal to wash it down with. Start off with a platter of grilled Usingers sausage and knockwurst served with Swiss and cheddar cheeses. For the main course, try the wiener schnitzel, a classic German dish of pork cutlet lightly breaded and pan sauteed, served with chive buttered spaetzle and lemon or the kassler rippchen, smoked pork loin served with sauerkraut and potato dumplings with a lightly smoked thyme veloute.
Mader's also offers a brunch menu on Sundays and a daily lunch menu.
Mader's
1041 N. Old World Third St.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-271-3377
madersrestaurant.com
Karl Ratzsch's
After a day of kayaking off Bradford Beach on Lake Michigan, your appetite will be ravenous. Head over to Karl Ratzch's, a restaurant that was started as a cafe in 1904 by a German chef. After 10 years of business, Karl Ratzch, a German soldier on tour in the U.S., married Helen, the German chef's stepdaughter, and took over ownership and renamed the restaurant to Karl Ratzch's.
Today, the restaurant is home to authentic food straight from the kitchens of Germany. Start off your meal with an Oktoberfest strudel, smoked pork, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut baked in a flaky pastry, and move on to their sauerbraten dish, made up of sirloin marinated with ginger snap gravy and served with red cabbage and potato dumplings. Don't forget to order the German apple pancake for dessert.
Karl Ratzch's even makes special dishes for diners on a low salt, low sugar or low carbohydrate diet and will make appropriate adjustments to their dishes for any of their customers. They are also open on Thanksgiving and Christmas and provide carry out.
Karl Ratzsch's
320 E. Mason St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-276-2720
karlratzsch.com
