There are few social settings more inviting and comfortable than a traditional German biergarten, or beer garden. The concept goes back to the 16th century, when German brewers would store beer underground and plant trees above to keep the ground cool. Over time, the brewers put out tables and chairs in the shade of the trees, and the beer garden was born.
The keys to a great beer garden are shade, privacy, seating, decor, food, and entertainment. In this guide, we’ll go through each of these to show you how to create your own beautiful beer garden at home.
Step 1: Shade for your Beer Garden
![Your beer garden will need shade](https://totalapexentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/beer-3609281_640.jpg)
Since beer gardens are generally a spring and summer destination, you’re going to need shade! If you have plenty of tree cover, that’s great. If not, consider some sort of awning or shade sail. You could also build an arbor to provide shade, but that will take time to grow. Whichever method you choose, shade is critical.
Step 2: Privacy is Key
One of the best things about beer gardens is the feeling of disconnection from the outside world, as if you’re in your own little sanctuary. The key to this is privacy. If there are areas of your yard that allow for looky-loos, consider adding sections of privacy screening or fence to ensure that you and your guests feel comfortable.
Step 3: Plenty of Seating
![You'll need plenty of seating for your beer garden](https://totalapexentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/beer-garden-4465324_640.jpg)
Another key to a great beer garden is plenty of seating. A couple of long, communal tables are nice, but also try to incorporate some separate, more intimate seating areas for people to step away from the crowd for a private conversation. Also consider some standing areas with a bar top, possibly along an outside wall. There’s no need to build a whole bar unless you really want to.
Step 4: Simple, Rustic Decor
This is a big one. There are lots of things you can do to decorate your beer garden, but try to keep things relatively simple. Adding ambient lighting is a must if you want to keep the party going after dark, and stringing outdoor lights overhead is a great way to accomplish this. Hang them from trees, rafters, or whatever is available.
Rustic items with a “found item” feel are great for beer gardens. You can use old wine bottles as candle holders, allowing the wax to build up over time for more of that European vibe. Old, European beer and wine posters, flags, and beer steins are also good. Speaking of steins, be sure to keep quality, beer-specific glassware on hand. No red solo cups here.
Consider planting some insect-repellent plants to cut down on the bugs. These include rosemary, lavender, basil, and mint, among others. This is also a great way to incorporate an herb garden, which will be useful for the next step.
Step 5: Good Food is a Must
You can’t have a great beer garden without great food. Since Germans love their sausages, a grill will be the weapon of choice here. Try stepping out of your bratwurst comfort zone and trying some of the other wursts: knockwurst, weisswurst, leberwurst, and even bludwurst! Availability may vary.
Along with the wursts, consider some lighter snacks, such as pretzels, chips, nuts, or olives. It’s commonplace in Europe for bars and restaurants to offer complimentary snacks with drinks, so scattering some little bowls of snacks around will add to the experience. Nothing is out of bounds; really, any kind of BBQ is also a crowd favorite.
Step 6: Entertainment Keeps Everyone Happy
The last important step is providing entertainment, be it music, games, or an outdoor TV. Powerful, high-quality portable speakers are easy to find these days, and this should be all you need for music. Try to incorporate a number of games to keep people engaged and raise the fun level. Horseshoes, cornholes, darts, or the simple hook and ring game so popular in the Caribbean will add some friendly competition.
If you follow these steps, you too can be chanting “Prost!” while clanking your stein and singing “Ja Ja Ja Ja.” Just try not to get bludwurst on your lederhosen.
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