Stuttgart Fruhlingsfest 2015

So this past weekend we went to Rob’s first beer fest with two of our friends, Brandee and her husband Josh. (I think it was their first beer fest too) Anyways, the festival was in Stuttgart, which is about a 2.5 hr drive. We left around 8am on Saturday and arrived bright and early at our hotel.

Bridge on the way to Stuttgart

We stayed near-ish to the festival. It was a 20 minute bus ride into Bad Cannstatt (the neighborhood where the fest was held) and the bus stop was right near our hotel. For having never ridden the bus in Germany it was a lot easier than I expected! I love getting out and trying new things here. 

We stopped into a grocery store across the street to snag change for the bus -
Check out these off brand reds. I'm a nerd and photo snapped.

Look at these cuties on the bus.
We were adventurous and rode in the middle :)
(where the bus turns/swivels)

Once off the bus we headed straight to the festival. It was really close and, once we got there, it still seemed really empty. The festival looked like most the others  I’ve been to (wine fests and Oktoberfest). There were LOTS and LOTS of food tents, beer gardens, rides, and games. Since it was about 1230 it wasn’t very busy and made it easy to snag a quick beer and hit a roller coaster. But not in that order, of course.

on our way to the fest from the bus stop

yay bier garten

the first ride we rode. So super duper awesomesauce.
*I mention this one again below*

the pretty empty fest. which filled up fast for sure.

This first ride was so much fun! (especially since I LOVE roller coasters) It was a ride with two cars on a long arm that spun around and each car spun around too. Sounds weird but it was fun. Rob didn’t think it was as great. We rode and Josh rode and I think I was the only one who liked it. After this was beer time. We snagged a .5L and walked around a bit more.

um. first beers. virginity gone.

Brandee and a creepy little mermaid. because we had to.

The guys and Brandee played a few games, shooting ones this time, and won some stuffed animals. Rob won two cows and a minion keychain. We got the cows for Rex and Kaela.

 

adorable stinking cows.

After our first beer, some walking around, and a game we decided to head into the Gockelesmaier tent. Once in, we realized that’s where all the people were. The tents aren’t reserved in the afternoons so everyone is in there partying it up. So- we joined the party, snagged a beer and a table and relaxed. The beer was a local Stuttgart Dinkelacker brew that was specially made for Frulingsfest. 

photo before we went in the tent (had to finish our other beers first)

the front of the tent

so many peeps.

first 1L beers bought. #winning at the #beerfest

The sales lady took our picture :)

the tent was PACKED and had live music blaring. it was a great atmosphere!

We snagged a table outside and enjoyed the afternoon there for a few hours. I mean, why come back to America when you could do this on the weekends?

 

want your picture taken with a super old camera from like the 20s?
she has you covered.

this photo is for my mom! She gave me this purse while we were
home in Cincinnati and I knew it would be PERFECT for festivals.
I was super happy to have brought it. Thanks again mom :)

Brandee bought a rose from a lady selling them near the bathroom

um, photo with the waitress. just because.
mainly because Brandee loves to take photos with strangers when she drinks the alcohols.

round one. completed.

The table we found was outside so we were able to enjoy the breeze with our beers. Since I was a little hungry Rob and I shared some potatoes and spießbraten. Super yummy and it hit the spot- can’t go wrong with trying some traditional German food.

After a few hours in the tent we went to walk around more. We explored, played more games, enjoyed some chocolate covered strawberries, and rode another ride. When the group stopped to play some archery we met an awesome group of English guys that were in town for a Bachelor Party. We all talked and laughed for a bit before they left to go to the Stuttgart soccer game. They ended up giving me a hat that sang (um, awesome) and Rob got a bow and arrow. #winning

  

fail. Rob and I brought our columbias and had to carry them or wear them.
and it was warm.
so I hooked it on my head? I'm special.

When they left for the game we ventured on a bit more. A much needed bathroom break and another tent.

Brandee has a french fry addiction.

whereas I, I love hot nuts.

here is a close up of my awesome hat.

Since it was nearing dinner time the tent was closed for reservations but we were able to snag a seat outside. We didn’t spend as long here as we did at the first one but the experience was quite similar.

I still had a plastic cup hefeweizen to finish to.
#doublefisting #beerproblems

this is a shot of our view from our table outside.

Once we left we decided it was time to head back to the bus stop- nearly 9 hours of drinking was a lot and we were all a bit worn out, drunk, and ready to head back to the hotel. So, to begin the journey we snagged a last minute dinner (½meter brat) and headed for the bus stop. There were so many people outside because a nearby soccer arena just let out (and Stuttgart won!) So the road was overflowing with people and, although we wanted for nearly an hour, the bus never came. Super tragic.  

super massive brat dogs.

With the bus never arising, and a lack of good judgment, we decided to walk to our hotel (a 45 minute walk). Terrible idea. We should have cabbed but thought it would have been outrageous (we later learned it wouldn’t have been- eh, live and learn). But this walk though, it felt like FOREVER. We walked so far it seemed, hardly any of which was on flat ground. We took the tallest staircase ever, through a damn vineyard, walked on a bridge over a river, and finally came to the hotel (blisters and all, at least I had some because my adorable flats didn’t serve me well in our trek). BUT, importantly, we made it back. In one piece. With nothing stolen. And no one got sick. Major win.

but without the walk home we wouldn't have snagged this
drunken photo gem. Or found a hopping oldies bar.

Once we got back we discovered the hotel had a pizzeria in it so we ordered pizza and headed to our rooms, like true champions, at 10pm. Because we’re old and are okay with it. BUT - The festival was SO much fun! We decided to go literally at Friday at 2pm and I’m so happy we did. It was a good first one for Rob to go to and it is the first of many more. Definitely want to do the Stuttgart Oktoberfest this year or next too!