Schlenkerla (Heller-Bräu)

8/23/2008 5:45:25 AM, saturday, august 23, 2008 [ Updated saturday, august 23, 2008 ]
We went there the afternoon before the start of the folk fest of Sankerwa. The waitress was extremelly rude, almost getting mad because we did not know our choice right away and she had to come back. The next day we went back to have a horseradish soup, sat outside in the court for 30 minutes without anyone coming to serve us. This horrible service it did not take away from the great food and beer we had as well as the really nice atmosphere of the place. Maybe it was the beginning of the festival that had the waiters short on patience, but we did not get that type of service in the other places. Selection is slim since they limit the choice to what they brew. In this case we had the Rauchebier and Rauch Weizen. The food menu was also very limited, but expect no less than typical German and Franconian food. Cannot go wrong with that.

7/30/2008 4:50:14 PM, wednesday, july 30, 2008
One of the holy places in the BeerWorld. You haven’t been in Bamberg if you haven’t visited Schlenkerla, as the locals said.....and it’s true. Swallowing the beer and you almost cry. Could have asked for more than one beer on the taps, but it’s okay. Next time I wanna have the urbock, weizen and lager on tap also. I think I felt The holy Spirit inside here.

6/4/2008 3:07:35 PM, wednesday, june 04, 2008 [ Updated sunday, july 27, 2008 ]
This is my mecca, one of the places I was most excited to visit... I kind of knew it was not going to be the best setting or building or whatnot, but it’s all about having the beer straight from the oaken keg, and with that I was not disappointed in the least. Many roomed interior decorated in wooden beams adorned with antlers and heads of deer, with a small patio in back - not the ideal patio seating, but after a few of the Rauchbier Marzens from the wood keg, I was in heaven. How can I rate selection when they only have one beer on gravity cask but it’s one of the best beers in the world? I’m not sure so I gave it a 15.

9/26/2007 2:44:00 PM, wednesday, september 26, 2007
A really magical place, it was ancient, but spotlessly clean. We sat in the section on the right as you enter, that seemed to be non-smoking. Wooden arches with intricate carvings and old coat hangars with a bar in the back where the tender was busy filling large mugs of the house brew, while waitresses clad in black with white aprons took our orders. No fluzies here, the staff was pretty mature, and had the place very much under their control, even though wave after wave of tourists kept pouring in and out. Our wench didn’t speak a word of English, but I was getting used to ordering in German, even though I asked for a plate of cheese and got sausages instead. No matter, they were really good! For sheer looks, historic feeling and a quality brew, this place is great. However, the obvious lack of locals and the somewhat phlegmatic service made me feel a bit like I was on the "It’s a small world" ride at Disney. Go there, have one or two Beers, sink in the atmosphere and then go elsewhere.

7/26/2007 4:40:55 AM, thursday, july 26, 2007
By accident found the beergarden behind the place itself at the first evening we were in Bamberg, no idea where to be. Nice cheese, good service, really good old fashioned beer atmosphere.

7/20/2007 6:45:01 AM, friday, july 20, 2007
Beautiful place, located in the nice old city centre of Bamberg. Typical old Bamberger brewpub interior, very lively. Aslo a nice beergarden available. Funny old ladies serving the beer. Best place in Bamberg. Took some smoked cheese, which was quite nice, though could have been somewhat smokier.Too bad not all the beers are available from tap.

7/7/2007 4:28:38 PM, saturday, july 07, 2007
Very nice atmosphere in the back biergarten behind the university buildings. Only two beers on tap, but it’s authentic Schlenkerla so who cares? Meaty, healthy (ahem) German pub fare and busy but friendly staff. Bottles can be bought from the in-house shop; urbock will be on sale in October.

7/3/2007 6:35:58 PM, tuesday, july 03, 2007 [ Updated tuesday, july 03, 2007 ]
Classic place, I didnt like the beer too much... its far too smokey, however my girlfriend loved the stuff so we went here quite a lot. The food was very good, service was quick too. Prices are a touch above average. I was keen to try the snapps but it turned out to be filth.

3/27/2007 2:30:34 PM, tuesday, march 27, 2007
I´m not a big rauchbier drinker, but the plase is cosy and they serv beers from vooden casks, and that is almost always good.

10/30/2006 3:17:27 PM, monday, october 30, 2006
Amazing place. No walls or corners are straight, but a very cozy place. The most impressive about the place was the the little souvenir and bottle shop in the back of the place.The lady working there looked like she was old enough to be Methusalems widow but sure liked the bier. Sure coming back someday. Didn’t get to taste the food, but it looked as delicious as German food can be.