#annafest

Mókus Főzde forever (finom s kurvára be lehet tőle rúgni)

Andy's Cubano

@ Annafest in the Kellerwald of Forchheim, Franconia 🌳🎡🍻🥨🍖🌳 (since 1840!)

Eichhorn Annafest Limidid Ädischn Maß 🐿️🍺

23 beer cellars open in the largest beer forest on Earth. (Blümleins Keller, Brauwastl Keller, Eichhornkeller, Fässla Keller, Fritz-Schneider-Keller, Glockenkeller, Greif Keller, Hebendanz Keller, Hofmanns Keller, Kaiser Keller, Kronen Keller, Neder Keller, Nürnberger-Tor-Keller, Rappen Keller, Schäffbräu Keller, Schaufel Keller, Schindlerkeller, Schlössla Keller, Schützenkeller, Schwanen-Keller, Stäffala-Keller, Weiss Tauben Keller, Winterbauerkeller)

St. Georgenbräu Annafestbier in liter Krug Brewery: St. Georgen Town: Buttenheim Style: Festbier Color: in krug so no visuals Head: fluffy white head protruding over krug Nose: malty with some hopping in the nose Body: medium-bodied, low carbonation Palate: soft fruity, nicely balanced Finish: dryish and bittersweet Served: on tap at the Winterbauerkeller at Annafest Impression: This is one of the…

a traditional parade heralds the beginning of Annafest in Forchheim’s Kellerwald

The festival has a bit of a dual personality. During the day, it’s a family friendly carnival of sorts, with amusement rides for the kiddies and typical Bavarian folk festival snacks and festivities for all. Aside from the eat on the run options, the Kellers all serve up more hearty meals at fair prices. At night, there are concerts and the atmosphere is more adult or at least teen oriented. 

a tasty Schäuferla & some rides at Annafest

Of course, for those in search of fine Franconian beer, the Annafest has particular interest. There are 24 kellers and about 13 different breweries represented.  Sadly, only liter mugs are served (aside from Schwarze Anna from Neder) so even if you factor out the mass produced junk (a good third), you’re not going to be able to try them all. Prices are a bit high for Franconia but that said, it’s still a lot cheaper than festivals Munich’s Oktoberfest. 

the Neder Keller & their tasty Schwarze Anna

Forchheim’s four breweries (Neder, Hebendanz, Greif and Eichhorn) are well-represented with a few kellers each. Franconian giants Mönchof and Tucher (Zirndorfer) are on hand as well as giant wannabe Wolfshöher. Unless you like bland beer, you can save three liters right there. More local but still large breweries include the Buttenheim Twins (Löwenbräu and St. Georgen) and Rittmayer.  As I mentioned, Neder’s Schwarze Anna is the only Festbier available in half liter mugs and it’s a winner that should not be missed. Aside from it, I found the Buttenheim Festbiers to be the best.

the wife enjoying a Mass of Festbier

The dates vary from year to year but hinge on St. Anna’s Day (July 26th). It generally starts the Friday prior to the 26th. For instance, this year (2018) it kicks off on July 20th as the 26th is a Thursday. It goes for ten days and finishes on the 30th this year, a Monday. Oh, how to get there. If arriving by train, there are shuttle buses up to the Kellerwald that run very regularly. The walk is about 20 minutes and not particularly scenic so it’s worth the nominal fee. 

the traditional parade at the Annafest in the Kellerwald