Here’s the latest on the highly anticipated Brauhaus Schmitz, the German bar and restaurant that is looking to open this Spring on South Street. 

• Looks like May will be the opening month.
• The waitresses WILL wear Dirndls.
• Stoudt’s Brewery will make the house beer.
• There will be 20 taps, 16 dedicated to German beer.

Brauhaus Schmitz [Official Site]

Between Barack and baseball (and our trip to Seattle) we let a few things slip through the cracks in the past month, one of which was a request from Doug Hager and Kelly Schmitz, proprietors of the hopefully-open-by-Beer-Week-German-beer-bar Brauhaus Schmitz which now has an official website if you want to check it out or sign up for a mailing list.

Doug and Kelly would like to know what the Foobooz readers think about the issue of uniforms for their staff. Per Doug:

Kelly and I go back and forth regarding staff uniforms. I think the waitresses should wear Dirndls and she thinks it is too much ‘kitsch’. we would love to hear what the public has to say.

Brauhaus Schmitz [Official Site]

 

Rejoice, forlorn fans of the recently deceased Ludwig’s, the last German-style beer hall in Philadelphia! That sweet, sweet orange transfer sign pictured above is just for you, as it’s delivering big big BIG beer news. As the cherry on top of our Oktoberfest coverage, we’re bringing it to you first: a new German beer hall is coming to Center City. The orange sign was just slapped up in the window of 718 South Street last night by owners Doug Hager and Kelly Schmitz, who expect to open Brauhaus Schmitz in March of 2009, just in time for Beer Week, (if construction and government bureaucracy don’t gum up the works). Why should you be excited about this, other than the fact that SOMEONE IS FINALLY OPENING A GERMAN BEER HALL? How about twenty taps of German beer? 100 bottled beers? Bratwurst sold by the meter? Lots more details, a photo and rendering after the jump.

 

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Rick Nichols laments that our German roots have almost completely vanished but he does find a few spots where you can still find a wiener schnitzel.

Also, take a look at our growing list of Oktoberfest related fun.

Reviving Oktoberfest [Philadelphia Inquirer]

David McDuff is one heck of a person. After all not many people can just drop in at Talula’s Table for dinner. Find out his secrets and the secrets of German wine this Tuesday at Tria Fermentation School where he will be hosting a class aiming to squash misconceptions regarding German wine.

Taste and Learn about Some of Germany’s Finest [McDuff's Food & Wine]
The Delights of Germany [Tria Fermentation School]

Sometimes a press release comes our way and it is so magnificent that it must be printed in its entirety. Click on for dirndls, 82-year-old schuhplatters and accordion player requests…
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We’re looking into a rumor that Ludwig’s Garten has closed its doors for good. Phone calls to the main number have gone unanswered this afternoon.

Kirsten Henri reviews one of Philadelphia’s true tourist traps, the City Tavern. And surprise, surprise, the German based menu is pretty good. Just don’t let Johnny Goodtimes know she called the Martha Washington Turkey potpie “outstanding.”

Kraut Of This World [Philadelphia Weekly]
City Tavern [Official Site]