The Saxon Beer
After Bavaria, the Saxons are the ones who drink the most beer. That is why beer is a fundamental component of Saxon tradition. The first Pils beer produced in Germany originates from Radeberg, a locality near Dresden. The delicious drink can be savored in Dresden at the venue Radeberger Bierausschank, as well as at the famous restaurant Radeberger Biertheater.
The Meißner Schwerter brewery is the oldest private brewery in Saxony. It was founded in 1460 and is located in Meissen in the historic center within the historic building “Bahrmannsche Brauhaus”. In Leipzig, Cliff Schönemann has been brewing beer with passion since 2013. It all started in his small kitchen and today the brewery on Leibnizstraße 17 has a production of 200 liters. His beers are unfiltered, untreated, and produced with Leipzig water. Also notable are the beers of the Landskron brewery in Görlitz in a beautiful Wilhelminian-era architecture: a traditional pleasure since 1869, produced with traditional methods and utmost care. Finally, the Braumanufaktur Schmilka brewery produces artisanal beers that are unfiltered and unpasteurized, made with raw materials from certified organic farming in the Saxon Switzerland region.
And since autumn is beer season, we point out that in Leipzig during the five weekends from October to early November there is a beer festival in the tent at the old fairgrounds at the foot of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations.
Sächsische Weinstraße
Im Norden von Dresden ist das Schloss Wackerbarth ein bezaubernder Ort, umgeben von jahrhundertealten Weinbergen und mit über 850 Jahren Weinbautradition, die sorgfältig überliefert wird. Heute ist das Schloss Wackerbarth eine Pflichtstation in der Region Dresden – Elbland für Weinliebhaber.
Nach der Besichtigung der Herstellung eines klassischen Cuvée-Sekt, der Kellerführung und einer Tour durch die jahrhundertealten Weinberge ist es Zeit, sich mit einem Verkostungsmenü im Garten zu entspannen, eingebettet in eine barocke und mediterrane Atmosphäre, die einzigartig in Deutschland ist. Das Schloss Wackerbarth ist auch eine Station der Sächsischen Weinstraße, die von Pirna nach Diesbar-Seusslitz führt und den Besuchern malerische rustikale Weinstuben und gehobene Restaurants zeigt, in denen man hervorragende Weine verschiedener Rebsorten verkosten kann.
Besonders empfehlenswert sind die Restaurants, die das Qualitätssiegel tragen, das von der Tourismusverein Elbland Dresden in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Weinbauverband Sachsen vergeben wird. Zu den ausgezeichneten Restaurants gehören rustikale Gaststätten und Landgasthöfe sowie historische Restaurants mit rustikalen Gewölbekellern oder Häuser mit romantischen Innenhöfen und Terrassen für milde Sommerabende.
In den ersten drei Oktobertagen findet in Radebeul das Weinfest statt, das bekannt ist, weil gleichzeitig das internationale Straßentheaterfestival mit Künstlern aus aller Welt veranstaltet wird. Die einzigartige Kombination aus sächsischem Wein und Theater verleiht Radebeul in diesen Tagen einen unvergleichlichen Charme und zieht jedes Jahr Tausende von Besuchern an.
Dresdner Christstollen
The Dresdner Christstollen is famous worldwide. A grand festival celebrates it every year in the second week of Advent in Dresden, during which about 150 bakers and pastry chefs from the Original Dresdner Stollen association prepare a giant Christstollen and after parading through the historic center, distribute it to everyone present. It is a historical reenactment from 1730, when Prince Augustus the Strong had a Stollen weighing 1.8 tons made by the Emil Reimann bakery in Dresden for a court celebration. The cake made its entrance to the palace pulled by eight horses and was divided into 24,000 portions. The Dresdner Christstollen contains noble, high-quality raw materials and selected ingredients. Since 1997, the denomination Dresdner Christstollen has been protected by trademark and patent law. Only Stollen produced in about 150 bakeries and pastry shops in Dresden and its surroundings that bear the oval seal with the relief silhouette of the most famous Saxon elector Augustus the Strong are original.
Sächsischer Sauerbraten
Sächsischer Sauerbraten (marinated and braised beef) is a traditional dish in the Saxon capital. Potato dumplings with red cabbage are the favorite dish of the people of Dresden. All those who prefer sweet flavors can choose from two desserts always present on menus in Dresden: Quarkkeulchen (a cake made with fresh cheese) and Eierschecke. Although it is called Quarkkeulchen, the main ingredient of this Saxon dessert is potatoes. This dessert is usually served with apple mousse, sugar, and cinnamon to enhance its flavor.
The name of this dessert derives from its stick shape in which it is traditionally made. The Eierschecke was the dessert of the bourgeoisie of Dresden. This dessert, with rich layers made with quark and egg, was affordable only for the wealthier social classes. Today the Eierschecke of Dresden is one of the most consumed Saxon desserts and is sold fresh every day by all the pastry shops in the city.
