Baden-Württemberg's best beer gardens

The Local's guide to Germany's best beer gardens heads to the home of the Black Forest for some southwestern flair.

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Stuttgart

Gaststätte Schwarzbach

Located at the edge of an industrial park, this football club house has earned the loyalty of many a thrifty, finicky Stuttgarter. Boasting a menu full of authentic Swabian dishes and several fresh beers on tap, Gaststätte Schwarzbach incorporates a sunny terrace with around 70 seats. Whether you're scouring the local gastronomic scene for someone to cater your next party, or just looking to lounge about in peace while the kids romp on the adjacent playground, this lively locale shan't go ignored.

0.3L beer from €2.00
Open daily from 11:00 am
www.schwarz-bach.de



Biergarten im Schlossgarten

Biergarten im Schlossgarten goes to great lengths to liven up the summer-lounging experience with an eccelectic mix of live music as many as three nights a week. Located at the edge of Stuttgart's central Schlosspark, this locale allows patrons to bring their own food, falling in line with more traditional German beer garden code. Vivid greenery surrounds the extra-large terrace, which even features a lovely, Swabian-style maypole in summer. Folks here also don't hesistate to bust out the big screens for things like the Euro and World Cup – so if there's a football championship going on do remember your team jersey.

0.5L beer from €3.20
Open daily from 10:30 am
www.biergarten-schlossgarten.de/



Stadtstrand

Located outside the city centre, Stuttgart's Stadtstrand is all the more mellow for it. Some 120 tonnes of sand, sun umbrellas and tiki torches take the place of gravel and chestnut trees, so that your sojourn here may feel more like a Mediterranean vacation than a Bavarian one. But a cold brewsky and open atmosphere add that very special beer garden touch. Be sure to check out the on-site beach volleyball courts and, for the kiddos, a playground complete with trick fountains. The grill at this riverside hang-out also incorporates some vegetarian menu options.

0.33L beer from €2.60
Open daily from 12 noon
www.stadtstrand.com



Freiburg

Hausbrauerei Feierling

The first Helles type beer in Freiburg was brewed by this venue's namesake, Julius Feierling, at the end of the 19th century. Following some name and address changes, the ever-popular Hausbrauerei Feierling finally settled near its original plot in the heart of the city's old town in 1989. Under the management of fourth-generation family members, it also saw the reintroduction of the tasty, full-bodied beer for which it originally became famous. You can enjoy this institution's house-brewed specialty Inselhopf along with a number of superb menu offerings under the restful shade of chestnut trees from March to late fall. Also: don't miss your chance to peruse the on-site brewery with the brew master himself.

0.3L beer from €2.40
Open daily from 11 am
www.feierling.de