The Old German bar and ‘bierkeller‘ recently opened its doors again after closing them in 1995 when the owner, Bud (Robert) Metzger, retired. Ann Arbor’s original Old German first opened in 1928. It was one my favorite restaurants from my youth. I celebrated many important milestones in it. I always looked forward to ordering the spatzle. Loving good German food is something I inherited from my Dad.
German Heritage
Chuck was pretty sure he was channeling my relatives when we made our inaugural visit to the new “Old German bar and bierkeller.” I didn’t feel any of my German relatives trying to make a connection during our visit to the Old German, but I often sense them when I’m walking down Traver Rd. My 3rd Great Grandfather was one of the original Ann Arbor settlers who arrived around 1830 from Germany. I’ve said my hellos to a few of my “Luick” relatives in the Lima Center and Bethlehem Cemeteries in Ann Arbor. My son Isaac looks a lot like a Luick, it fact the similarity is a little creepy.
The new Old German bar and bierkeller
The Old German is now located below Grizzly Peak on Ashley. I had a rush memories when I first entered, not of eating at the Old German when I was a teenager but of hanging out in my parents’ basement– lots of wood and German artifacts. You immediately feel comfortable. Chuck said, “This is going to be a great space to hang out with friends and watch football.”
What is on Tap?
They have two rotating German style beers on tap plus a few of Grizzly Peak’s beers.
We were clearly the first to arrive but it quickly filled with thirsty patrons. Chuck ordered the Helles-Bock and I ordered the Stealhead Red. (I secretly wished that I ordered the German beer but the Stealhead Red was calling my name, maybe that is why I couldn’t hear my relatives trying to make a connection)
The German beers or “kellerbiers” is poured from the conditioning tanks, which you can see behind the bar. So what the heck is kellerbier? Well hang-on, according Wikipedia it literally translates as “cellar beer” and the recipe likely dates to the Middle Ages. And as long as we are translating German words, bierkeller is a public house decorated in German style, selling German beers.
Menu Options
Don’t expect the same menu from the old-Old German. We ordered the baked soft pretzels with spicy mustard and were not disappointed. I toyed with the idea of ordering the Kale Salad. There was a Hasenpfeffer Sandwich that I didn’t even consider. Yes there were a few bratwurst options and the German Potato Pancakes but no spatzle. There is a popcorn machine by the door. We helped ourselves to some while we enjoyed our beer and waited for the pretzels.
It is more “bar” then “restaurant” that is not to say the food wasn’t great. The ambiance said have a beer and stay awhile.
German Decor
I’m positive that mother wasn’t a fan of the German decor in my parent’s basement. Their basement walls were decorated with relics from father’s family. Thank goodness he didn’t own a stuffed bear! As I’m sure it would have been proudly displayed! Does anyone know the story on the stuffed bear at the Old German?
Or a Gold Bird, whew. I have my parents kitchen table and it looks exactly like the round tables in the Old German.
It has been at least 30 years….cheers to you and our best wishes!
Thanks for the memories. I remember visiting the restaurant in my youth. Later, my husband and I often went there for a beer and a knockwurst sandwich. I took my mother there before we left Michigan. We had the best saurerbraten.
My dad ate at the Old German when he lived in AA in the late ’20’s. I went there throughout the 50’s, and my kids went there till it closed. The old cook as well as the German waitresses were what made the place so welcoming. It will be hard to replace.
In 1985, our German teacher at Slauson Junior High School decided to take us on a class trip to this establishment. Incidentally, I was the only student that had ordered authentic German Bratwurst, because I wanted to prove to my fellow classmates that anyone could be German at Heart, with a little “shuck and Jive”, as I had learned from my heroes “The Dukes of Hazzard”, which by the way was sunk down the drain that year, much to my utter chagrin!!