Edelbrand, Schnapps and Liqueurs in Inzing, Near Innsbruck in The Tirol, Austria

Edelbrand Draxl is a very small and local distillery located just 15 minutes to the west of Innsbruck, it is owned by Lambert and Agnes and all of the produce which is used by the Draxls such as pears, apples, plums, walnuts, vogelbeer, and hollunder are from the farm, products used from the surrounding regions with great emphasis the quality of the products include grapes and marille (apricots) from the South Tirol, cherrys are either from the farm or the bodensee, the strawberrys come from Rattenberg.
 
 
The Draxls produce Edelbrand which is created using only the the best portion of the alchohol from the distilling process. This is where Edelbrand is different to shcnapps, Edelbrand is of a higher quality and therefor it does not burn or leave as strong a taste in your mouth as schnapps.
The most popular seller is the Birne (Pear) 41% which tasted great, I also tried Enzian 43% which had an earthy taste but was still very pleasant, as a note the Enzian used is from plants growing at heights of over 2000 metres in the mountains and is difficult to find and gather as well as expensive, for this reason Enzian is often mixed with apples to make it more affordable ie 25.00 Euro for 500ml,
Nusslikor (Walnut) 25% 9.00 Euro for 200ml, 14.00 for 500ml very very nice.
 
Vogelbberen is one of my favourites and when you consider it takes 100kg of vogelbeeren (birdberries) to make 2.5 litres of edelbrand Vogelbeeren 42% 49.00 euro for 500ml, well worth the money considering the quality.
 
If you do get the chance to visit, please note they only accept cash for purchases, Dinner and tastings can also be arranged with prior notice.
 
Edelbrand Draxl
Waidach 1
A-6401 Inzing Tirol
Austria
Tel +43 (5328) 88716
edelbraende-draxl@aon.at
　
　

Original Thai Food in Innsbruck , Austria

 

Noi Thai

If you have been longing for some Thai cooking while away then the wait is over, this is recognized by many as the best Thai cuisine in the Tirol. I have eaten here many times and it is always frequented by many of the Thaïs living in Innsbruck, one of the only Thai restaurants with genuine Thai cooks, Sukiyaki is also available if ordered 24 hours in advance.  Located 5 minutes walk from the Golden roof in the direction of the University, dine in or take away. Lunch and dinner weekdays and dinner on Saturday. Mention Travelgroupie for some special treats.

Kaiserjägerstrasse 1
SoWi Areal
6020 Innsbruck

Tel + 43 (0) 512-589777  

www.noithaikueche.at

 

Austrian Coffee Explained

 

Coffee

There are over 20 variations in strength & flavour (Turkish origins)

Caffee Hag is decaffeinated coffee.

 

Some of the most commonly found are,

Kleiner Brauner (small brown) Espresso with a dash of milk.

Kleiner Schwarzer (small black) Espresso

 

Großer Brauner (Large Espresso) a double shot

 

Einspanner a strong black coffee, served in a glass with whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate powder.

 

Kapuziner (monk) a small amount of coffee mixed with a large amount of milk.

 

Wiener Melange (Espresso served with frothy milk and whipped cream, similar to a milky flat white)

 

Cappuccino, never assume the Austrian interpretation of the traditional popular Italian variety will be what you expect.

 

When drinking coffee don't forget your Maresi brand Alpenmilch full strength at 17.5% fat or Low calorie at 5.5% fat.

 

The following descriptions are from the Café Sacher part of the Sacher Hotel group of companies

 

Sacher Kaffee (Hot black coffee with Sacher liqueur and whipped cream on) top.

 

Fiaker is strong mocca served with Cherry liquor; this takes its name from the famous Viennese horse-drawn carriages. Coachmen like to drink this speciality to warm themselves up between rides. (Not sure how this fits with Austrian drink driving laws).

 

Maria Theresia Kaffee is a speciality large coffee with sugar, orange liqueur and whipped cream.

 

Kaffee Verkehrt is a made from 1/3 black coffee and 2/3 milk for people who don't like their coffee too strong.

 

Wiener Eiskaffee is made from vanilla ice cream with iced mocca and whipped cream.

 

Pharisäer Kaffee is hot black coffee with rum and whipped cream. The name came from a local priest who would preach every Sunday to his congregation against the evil of alcohol, The congregation discovered they could hide the smell of the rum in their coffee but placing whipped cream on the top of the coffee, The priest was accidentally given the wrong cup one day and hence discovered the sin of his congregation. He then called them "Pharisees".

 

Traditional Dutch Restaurant in Amsterdam

 
 
 

Haesje Claes

The restaurant is named after Lady Haesje Claes born in 1520 to a prosperous merchant family. She was the patron and founder of the public orphanage now the Amsterdam historical museum.

There are 8 chambers all with their own atmosphere and serving traditional Dutch dishes, I ate here on the 29/04/2009 and was lucky to get a booking because it was queens night and the restaurant was full, I had 2 herring with chopped raw onion and gherkins for starters, followed by a fish stockpot recommended by Jacqueline who was the waitress looking after me, It was a great combination, the herring were light and fresh as expected, and the stockpot, with a good selection of seafood including mussels, prawns, various pieces of fish and vegetables covered with a light covering of cheese and then all baked in the oven, a traditional restaurant with excellent food, service and atmosphere to boot. Highly recommended.

Spuistraat 275

1012 VR  Amsterdam

Netherlands

Tel +31 (20) 6249998

www.haesjeclaes.nl

 

 

Great Driving Routes in Germany

 

Great Driving Routes in Germany

 

If wooden balconied half timbered houses covered in cascades of geraniums daisy's and bougainvilleas, with a backdrop of medieval fortresses, alpine vistas and fairytale castles have you yodelling for joy then you shouldn't miss the  Romantic Road, it runs from Wurzburg to Fussen (315km/195 miles) covering many of the great sights of Germany including Rothenburg and Neuschschwanstein.

 

The German Wine Road runs from Bockenheim/Palatinate to Wissembourg/Alsace 91kms/56miles. Beautiful little villages surrounded by vineyards.

 

The German Alpine Road is a top attraction running from Lindau to Berchtesgaden it is 450km of spectacular Alpine scenery interspersed with villages, fairytale castles and picture perfect meadows www.deutsche-alpenstrasse.de

 

The old salt road runs 100km from Lüneburg to Lübeck, in the old days the horse carts needed 3 weeks to transport the white gold; you can cover it in a day. 

 

The Silver route covers 115km from Zwickau to Dresden, winding its way through rural and mountainous countryside; the traveller is rewarded by a ribbon of towns steeped in tradition.

 

Why not drive the Burgenstrasse, the (975km/605 mile) castle road covers 70 of Germanys legend shrouded and most romantic castles of medieval times.

www.burgenstrasse.de  

 

The German winestrasse or wine road is a great area to cover, the website below offers information about each of Germanys wine regions as well as a list of the nations festivals. Just be sure not to drink and drive.

www.deutscheweine.de

 

After a long days drive why not check into one of Germanys spa and wellness centres, the Germans have always considered treatments an essential part of Healthy living. The website provides a list of the nations spas as well as links to the spas providing English speaking staff.

www.deutscher-heilbaedervband.de  

 

Munich to Lichtenstein

You may cover some of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route which links some of Germany's greatest churches, abbeys and libraries from the exuberant southern German Baroque and Rococo.

 

Get in touch with nature at one of Germanys 100 nature parks, 14 national parks or 15 biosphere reserves; you might even see a bear

www.naturpark.de

 

Innsbruck Traditional Dining in a Historic Castle

Weiherburg

I ate here on the 26/08/2008 with Buawon, Bao, Günter and a couple of his friends, the food was of a very high standard and the price was very reasonable. We also had a beautiful New Years Dinner here to see in 2009, The Weiherburg is steeped in history and is located at the lower part of the Nordkette and is easily accessible from the town, (Taxi 6.00 Euro). As part of the evening the restaurant owners Gary and Mark put on a excellent personal fireworks display which can also be enjoyed with the backdrop of thousands of fireworks going off in the surrounding mountains and towns, Excellent Food, Excellent Company, and an Excellent night.

Weiherburggasse 37

Innsbruck A-6020

Tel + 43 (0) 699 10018948

www.weiherburg.at  

Newly Opened Japanese and Sushi Restaurant in Innsbruck, Austria

Oishi Sushi-Bar

Japanische and Thai Specialities

This place is newly opened in June 2009 and I ate here with the Frau and her sister on the 04/06/2009 and had a mountain of sushi which was advertised for 2 people but was enough for 3, the sushi which was nearly 40 pieces including soup and salad was 38.00 Euro, for Sushi in the Germanic countries this is a baaaargain, excellent quality too. Highly Reccomended.

Open Monday to Saturday 11.30-14.30 and 18.00-23.00

Maximilianstrasse 33

Innsbruck

A-6020 Austria

+ 43 512 589416