COMMUNITY & CULTURE
IN AND AROUND BELLEVILLE
Braeutigam Orchards
The 100-acre property, which has been with the Braeutigam family since
1831, began as a grain and animal farm. Located just 6 miles southeast of
downtown Belleville, off of Highway 15, Braeutigam is just down the street
from a certain, splashier pick-your-own operation, but it’s most definitely
worlds away when it comes to the kind of experience you’ll have in store.
Here, you’ll likely be greeted by Tom Range, the man who oversees
the orchard and the adjacent bakery, drives the tractor, and pretty
much supervises the entire operation. Tom is married to Pat, whose
grandfather, Rollin Braeutigam, started growing fruit on the property
in 1935. The family-owned-and-operated farm is now on its sixth and
seventh generations, and we’re told the eighth generation - the Ranges’
grandchildren - is currently in training.
Apple- and pumpkin-picking seasons (beginning in late August) are
the busiest for the farm, but it remains an authentic, folksy operation,
and that’s what we love about it. This month, the crop includes peaches,
blackberries, plums, tomatoes and corn. If you didn’t come to pick fruit,
the “sales shed” usually has a bounty of fruit and vegetables ready for
purchase. Even better, Braeutigam’s Apple Cider Donuts and Apple
Cider Slushy are not to be missed. Trust us when we say these two
products alone are worth the drive! braeutigamorchards.com
Hofbräuhaus
Even if it wasn’t across from a local landmark (the National Shrine of Our
Lady of the Snows), it’s hard to miss this ginormous structure along Highway
15. The Belleville location of this Munich-based franchise is the largest in
America (and only the eighth branch in the U.S.). Since its opening in March,
Hofbräuhaus has quickly become a local hangout for those seeking authentic
Bavarian fare and the ambience of a German beer hall.
As expected, the beer is serious business, with several seasonal brews
on tap. In August, try the pilsner. We also highly suggest the summer
offering, the Russian - citrusy Sommerweizen combined with lemon-
lime soda - what a refreshing treat!
Hofbräuhaus is pretty serious about the food, too. For starters,
the pretzels and apple strudel are imported from Germany,
and are the perfect selections to bookend your meal. The Salat
MitHähnchenschnitzel (breaded chicken breast over spinach potato
salad) and the Jägerschnitzel (pork cutlets served with cranberries)
are delicious choices for lunch, but there’s also sausages, sauerbraten,
Bavarian-style hamburger made with pork and beef, and so much more.
Can’t decide? We recommend the sausage tower - six kinds of sausages,
two pretzels, sauerkraut, potato salad, mustards and more, but bring a
friend or two to share it with. hofbrauhausstlouis.com
Gazelle's
Trish Muyco-Tobin
samples the offerings
at Hofbräuhaus.
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
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