BAMBERG, Germany — It seems that mighty fine weather has come to Franconia a few weeks early this year, and that’s just fine for the patrons of Maisel Keller in Bamberg.
Adjacent to Bamberg’s Maisel Brewery, the Keller’s biergarten can hold up to 150 people and is nicely shaded, with wooden tables interspersed between several large trees.
In operation since 1894, and at its present location since 1934, Maisel brews a variety of beers, including their Kellerbier — well known to aficionados — as well as pils, hefeweizen, krystalweizen, bock, seasonal fest beers and many more.
The food is inexpensive compared to many other restaurants throughout town (so is the beer), but that in no way diminishes the taste or ample portions. Like the rest of the region, it’s spargel (white asparagus) season, so the menu is featuring it right now.
Also mentioned on the menu was a traditionally-themed meal that serves special food and drink prepared as it was a few centuries ago. If you can scare up at least 15 diners willing to shell out 26 – 34 euros a head, it’s available on request.
Parking didn’t post too much of a problem. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the biergarten, and if it’s full, there was also free parking available on the cross street at the end of the block. If you go down the street a bit, you’ll walk by the brewery itself and some attractive, well-preserved buildings.
Although the kitchen is only open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., the taps keep flowing until 1 a.m. every day except Saturday, when operating hours are 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Since the real draw of Maisel Keller is the beer, on balmy spring nights (or very early mornings), what could be better than drinking outdoors next to an inexhaustible supply?
View previous After Hours reviews.
Maisel Keller
Prices: Drinks range from 3.50 euros. Appetizers and meals run the gamut, but top off at about 18 euros.Specialities: Seasonal specialties, which currently include spargel (white asparagus). There is also a traditionally-themed meal if you can drum up 15 diners.English menu: None.Clientele: Mostly Germans.Dress: Casual.Location: Moosstrasse 32, Bamberg. From the Berliner Ring going toward the A73 interchange, take a right on Moosstrasse. The brewery, keller and biergarten are about one-quarter mile down on the left. Hours: Maisel Keller is open Sunday to Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. daily.Phone: 0951-14875.
