With hurricane Joaquin headed towards the Jersey shore there was only one thing to do on Wednesday. Drink a few beers at the new Festhalle & Biergarten in Asbury.
With the days getting shorter and the storm no where in sight, we started off with grabbing a beer upstairs.
The bar up here is massive and during the summer months, was packed with people.
They have a nice variety of beer here. Everything from their local breweries to fine ales and lagers from around the world.
Along for the journey was Jeremy Watts of Carton Brewing video fame.
The view from the roof is amazing.
A toast from our friend Joe Watts. If you have ever been to Carton or Rinn Duin you are drinking at a bar he built from scratch.
The locals keep rolling in. Kevin Sharp from Dark City Brewing. We will have more on him and his Asbury Park craft brewery in the coming months.
Time for another beer. Some of you might think this guy is giving me a foamy glass of beer but he isn’t. It’s a special serving technique called the milko pour from Pilsner Urquell.
I have never seen anything like it but it’s a must when you visit the biergarten and a damn good glass of beer.
With moon setting in we all headed back downstairs to grab a bite to eat. For a Wednesday night with a hurricane on the way, it was pretty busy.
The bar is massive and there is ample community style seating throughout the restaurant.
A nice note here is that everything on tap can be poured upstairs and downstairs.
Another festhalle must. Have a whole liter of your favorite beer. That two pints for those that don’t math.
The food here is amazing and some of the best German cuisine you find in the area. Sausages, pretzels, burgers and they even offer an Oktoberfest menu this time of year.
I was feeling peckish and went with the sauerbraten entree. It was consumed in a matter of visits.
More locals. James Waters, former brewer from River Horse brewing, has found new life the craft beverage world and will be opening Asbury Parks first distillery in the coming year. It right next to the festhalle. What a combo.
If you have room at the end of your meal. Get dessert. It’s just that good.
Thanks to Joe and the staff for a great evening and letting me run around. It is easily one of the best biergartens around. So next time you are at the Stone Pony or what ever else you do an Asbury, stop on by for a liter or two. You won’t be disappointed.