August 10, 2011
The Leierkasten (German for "street organ") is a beer garden and pub located in an allotment site. It cannot directly be reached by car; you would have to walk or bicycle. There is, however, a buss stop nearby. The beer garden itself looks like you would expect a traditional beer garden -- big chestnut trees create a dense canopy of leaves protecting you and your beer from the summer sun and heat. Longish wooden benches and tables are used for the furniture. On warmer days when the beer garden is crowded, beverages can be bought in a shed outside; otherwise you will have to order inside the pub. The pub is dominated by a bar in the centre with a couple of tables placed around (with seating-accomodation for approx. 40 people). The standard beer is Einbecker Brauherren Pils (on tap). It is served in 0.4, 0.5, or 1.0 l glasses (1.0 l glasses are those you might know from Bavarian beer festivals like the Oktoberfest). Besides that, the beer selection is somewhat changing. Last time I was there (July 2011), they only servered Engel Kellerbier Hell on tap (in addition to Einbecker). They usually have Guinness and (during March/April) Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock on tap. They have a couple of bottled beers, like Hefeweizen (don’t remember which brand), Beck’s and the (very) local Hemelinger Spezial. The owner of the Leierkasten is beer drinker himself, so he takes good care of the tapping system and he’s interested in serving good beers to his guests. You can order simple dishes which fit well to beer; the dishes are reasonably priced, quite tasty and are prepared freshly.