By Joe Buttweiler –
NEW ULM, Minn. — Thirsty for a fun and economical weekend getaway?
Then head for New Ulm, Minn., home of Schell’s Brewing Co. and more German heritage than you can shake a Black Forest walking stick at.
Schell’s is the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. Besides brewing a wide variety of beers, it also makes 1919 Root Beer, a favorite of kids of any age.
There’s also Hermann the German, a giant statue atop an observation deck looking over New Ulm, an inviting downtown steeped in German heritage, and a glockenspiel bell tower.
New Ulm is about three hours from North Iowa, easily reached by going north on I-35, west on I-90, and then up Highway 15 from Fairmont.
Brewery tours last about and hour, starting with the story of August Schell arriving in New Ulm in 1856. He rolled out his first barrel on the delivery wagon in 1860. Ownership has passed down through the family. It is now headed by fifth-generation descendent Ted Marti.
Besides several beer varieties available year-round, including Pilsner, Firebrick, Stout and Dark, the brewery also produces several seasonal beers, including Bock in the winter, Maifest in spring, Zommerfest in … you get the idea … and Oktoberfest.
The company bought the recipe for a true Midwestern favorite, Grain Belt Premium, in recent years and vastly expanded its production capacity. Grain Belt Premium, Premium Light, and the amber lager Nordeast round out a list that includes 17 different brands of beer made at Schell’s.
The tasty 1919 Root Beer’s heritage goes back to the start of prohibition, in … guess what year? … when Schell’s and breweries throughout the country had to find other ways to stay in business.
Following the brewery tour, guests are invited to the hospitality room for small samples and then a full glass of their favorite brew.
Afterward, they’re free to roam the gorgeous hillside grounds and gardens to check out the family mansion, museum, gift shop, the magnificent gardens and statuary, and maybe see a peacock strutting about. There used to be a deer pen, but as of Labor Day weekend there did not appear to be occupants.
“We have been quietly crafting our family of fine beers here at the August Schell Brewing Company for a century and a half,” Marti says in a brochure. “Come visit us, and raise one of our excellent beers in a toast:
“Ein Prosit der Gemutlichkeit!
(A toast to you in friendship)”
Brewery tours cost $3 per person, free for those 12 and under. Tours are at 3 p.m. Fridays, at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. Saturdays, and at 1 and 2 p.m. Sundays.
The gift shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and the Museum of Brewing is open from noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Coming up: Oktoberfest, the first and second weekends in October.
Special tours for groups of 25 or more can be made by calling 507-354-5528. The brewery website is http://www.schellsbrewery.com.
For more on the Hermann monument, visit its website at http://hermannmonument.com/
