specialkusa

I am going to be visiting Frankfurt for a few hours (0600-1200ish) during a layover. I looked at some of the other topics already for the walking tours and hot spots, but I wanted to know if there was a good place to buy an authentic Beer Stein while I was there. I have german ancestry, last name Einreinhofer, and really wanted to get steins for my father and I. Any suggestions?

lavandula

Here is a link to the Frankfurt tourist office:

http://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/cm...irs_gifts.html

On this page there is a PDF of the souvenirs they have available, including a Krug (beer stein). But in that part of Germany Apfelwein (apple wine) is actually a more important drink (many apple wine pubs in Sachsenhausen) and so you can also get sets of apple wine bottles, the special ribbed glass that they are traditionally drunk in, and a Bembel (the jug that it is traditionally served in).

I have been to Germany many times and I have yet to be served beer in a stein - but I've admittedly never been to Oktoberfest either ...

Lavandula

lavandula

Oh, and if you are contemplating trying Apfelwein ... the first taste is OMG, what is this cr*p (it's sour), but you rapidly get used to it if you persist. Definitely an acquired taste.

Lavandula

VolCrew

You might try Topferei Maurer in Sachsenhausen (http://www.bembel-maurer.de/). I've shopped there a couple of times.

Just down the street is a nice patio schnitzel / apfelwein house, the Struwwelpeter (http://www.struwwelpeter-frankfurt.de/), too.

<i>I have been to Germany many times and I have yet to be served beer in a stein - but I've admittedly never been to Oktoberfest either ... </i>

Same here, Lavandula!

Mainhattengirl

The Topferei Mauer is a good store, and the woman makes all of her own pottery, but I don't think she makes the beer steins like what the OP is probably looking for. She makes the traditional grey & blue salt glazed, Frankfurt pottery.

The biggest problem is the time of the layover, as most stores aren't going to open up until 10, and the OP needs to be back at the airport by 10, for a flight at 12:00.

There is another store along Braubach Strasse, that sells beer steins that are actually made in Germany. You do need to ask too, where ever you shop, as many steins are made in China.
http://www.cuckoo-clocks.biz/shop/raeuchermaennchen
Unfortunately, they don't open until 10 either.

You might have to get your souvenir at the airport, though the Tourist Info at the Römer may have a few steins, though I kind of doubt it, they have more applewine stuff, like bembels and the applewine glasses.

The applewine tastes different depending on where you go, as the pubs that serve the house made stuff is going to taste better than what comes out of a bottle. Some people like it a lot, the very first sip and others need a glass or two. Try a a glass from one of the local farmers markets if you want to see what it is supposed to taste like. The market at the Konstablerwache, on the Berger Strasse, at the Stock Market or in Hoechst, will offer tasty choices.

My favorite restaurants in old Sachsenhausen are Dauth Schneiders or Atschel.

Cowboy1968

As Mainhattengirl said, the downtown Frankfurt stores won't be open until very late within that 6-12 timeslot. The airport souvenir shops should be your safest bet.
And beer steins are much more a Bavarian thing than a Frankfurt specialty. But even down here, people hardly use them anymore or would even consider to buy them.
I would refrain, though, from tasting too much applewine before a flight, unless you will sit next to a lavatory. That stuff has a reputation for accelerating certain body functions if you are not used to it. ;-)

laurie_ann

Here's my suggestion. Imagine that you had enough time to go into a darling shop on a cute street in Frankfurt or one of the smaller cities nearby. Then search the internet and buy on line what you were looking for and have it shipped to you. No it's not exactly the same as it you had really strolled and shopped that cute street. But it is close and a can be a lot more rewarding than rushing, settling for something that isn't what you really wanted and cost way more than you really wanted to pay. I do this a lot for my "souvenirs". For example I have a carnival mask "from" Brazil and a spice grinder "from" Egypt.

VolCrew

<i>I don't think she makes the beer steins like what the OP is probably looking for </i>

Thanks for the correction. I was going by a picture I had taken in the store of the merchandise a few years ago.

<i>You might have to get your souvenir at the airport</i>
The FRA Germany & More store has your plastic cukoo clocks and such as well as a corner with a lot of different steins. I am not into them, myself, and did not notice where they were made.

<i>My favorite restaurants in old Sachsenhausen are Dauth Schneiders or Atschel.</i>

I will be back over there in a couple of weeks; maybe I can try those restaurants.