Our latest TALKGreenville magazine contribution…

We decided to honor the 200+-year tradition of Oktoberfest for this month’s cocktailin’ adventure, paying a visit to our dear German friends at Schwaben House on Laurens Road in Greenville. This annual beer-party-and-more typically begins in mid-September and runs until the first weekend in October…meaning that you still have time to celebrate, folks!  Schwaben House has you covered. Prost!

A proper pour…

Don’t be shocked by the impressive “head” on your German-poured beer. Although Americans tend to frown upon this frothy foam, a true German would disagree. We all know that taste is dependent on smell…and the smell is in that bubbly top! Without that proper head, you lose half of the beer-tasting enjoyment. And, any German will tell you…if your beer doesn’t have that foamy collar, your glass must be dirty or the beer is flat. Nicht gut.

Kiss on the Lips…

We certainly don’t promote inappropriate touching, but if you’re offered a kiss on the lips here…say yes! Served in a sugar-rimmed champagne glass and a healthy dose of sweet confetti, this concoction will have you begging for another. Comprised of vodka, raspberry sorbet and Sangue de Guida (an Italian wine with a touch of fizz) it’s sure to tickle your fancy.

It’s down right delectable, delightful and addicting….just like a good kiss on the lips! In fact, it will have you falling for more…just ask Angi!

The Washington Apple…

This fresh, crisp, fall-worthy drink tastes like you’ve been apple-picking without the labor but with all the reward! Bird Dog Whiskey is the main ingredient here and for good reason…it is one of the most intriguing whiskeys we’ve tried. We thoroughly enjoyed taste testing it neat! Add a touch of cranberry juice and some prosecco and you have yourself amazing taste thrill. Served in an artsy martini glass with a slice of fresh apple…well now you have autumnal perfection!!

It’s all in the glass…

Yes…the glass used for your beer does matter! Different beers require different classes. While a Weizenbock reqires a Weizen glass, others might require a pilsner, chalice, snifter, tulip, stein, flute, stange, pint, or even an oversized-wine glass. Do your homework, folks. Or maybe just go let Schwaben House do it for you!

With the weather finally on the brink of being decent, you might want to book a table on Schwaben House’s “biergarten” patio. This space is a German oasis just waiting for folks to enjoy a cold beer and das fressen (that’s chow, baby). And if you want our two-cents, we recommend you try the potato salad (made fresh every morning), the soups, and the salmon…and just about anything else that tickles your fancy. It’s all good, freunde!

Schwaben House . 1810 Laurens Road . Greenville . 864-329-8681 . schwabenhouse.us