Ziegenhügel

At the beginning of each month, Blackberry Farm Brewery celebrates beer tradition and history with a Ziegenhügel service at the Taproom in Maryville, Tenn. Ziegenhügel is traditional Kolsch service from the beer’s origins in Cologne (Koln), Germany. Broken down, the German word, ziegen translates to goat, and hügel translates to hill. Sound familiar? Guests at Ziegenhügel enjoy pours of BFB’s delicious Goat Hill golden ale Kolsch. As you would find in many beer bars in Cologne, this is the only beer we serve during this service.

Let’s learn some more German! Kolsch is traditionally served in a tall, thin, cylindrical glass called a stange, also referred to as a spike or rod. The server, called a köbes, carries twelve stangen in a kranz, a circular tray resembling a crown or wreath. Instead of waiting for the drinker to order a refill, the köbes immediately replaces any empty stange with a full one, marking a tick on the coaster under their glass to note how many they’ve had.

When the drinker has had their fill, they cover the top of their empty stange with a coaster to show that they’re finished.

Not only does this practice pay homage to the heritage of Kolsch beer, but it offers a fun alternative to everyday service. Sound like a good time? Join us in the Taproom on the first Sunday* of every month for Ziegenhügel.

*Unless the first Sunday of the month falls on a holiday.