New Ulm, Minnesota: German Brewery Fun

Schell's brewery dates to 1860 and is the second oldest in the US. Built in a hilly niche above New Ulm, it's like stepping back into Germany of the 1800's. Past the old brewery is an authentic mansion, complete with gardens, a deer park, hummingbirds, and preening peacocks. On Summer Saturdays, follow the lederhosen-clad Fuhrer ("leader", auf Deutsch) who conducts casual tours of the premises. The tour ends with freely poured brewskis (pils, pale ale, Octoberfest Schmaltz's alt, others) in the tap room; prosit! Drop a few Marks at the better-than-average gift shop in the old workers' quarters, and inspect a museum of pre- and post-Prohibition brewery artifacts while you sober up a bit. [Curt Morgan, 05/13/1999]