Beer, Bites & German Delights: 3 Cheers for Hillgarten!
My good friend recently opened a German biergarten. But even if I didn’t know the owner it would still be wunderbar. Hillgarten Beer and Wine Garden is an upscale (but relaxed and comfy) German-inspired bar and restaurant located in the charming downtown of Old Hilliard, a suburb of Columbus. From the moment you step foot in this impressive outdoor space, you can feel the attention to detail. My friend and co-worker of 30 years, Marty Nowak, put his heart, soul, and considerable talent into making it a special gathering spot.
It’s the Prost with the Most
You can see the love in the inviting design, meticulous woodworking, and oh man the food. The menu is filled with gourmet bratwursts and sausages which he meticulously sources from the finest butchers using quality ingredients. My favorite is the Roberta (named after his Mama), a smack-you-in-the-mouth good Italian pork sausage smothered in onions & peppers, with a balsamic glaze and parmesan flakes. The balsamic and parmesan take this thing to another level. The Ladlow Brezel is a giant (seriously, giant) Bavarian style pretzel with plenty of beer cheese and mustard for dipping. Tear off a bit o’ brezel and get in there. You’ll thank me later.
And did I mention there’s “bier” in this biergarten? Oh yeah. 16 craft beers on tap, with some interesting and unexpected delights. I sampled more than a few and loved most. My fave was the Crumble Vanilla Ale from 2 Tones brewing in Whitehall. And if you’re more into grape than grain, Hillgarten also has a fantastic selection of wines: whites, reds and bubbly.
The bottom line: Hillgarten is a great time, for you, your crew, and your little dog too. Yes, they’re very dog-friendly. Open every day except Monday.
