Not Just in Germany: 15 Great American Beer Gardens

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BUMPER CROP

Beer gardens got their start in 16th-century Germany, and Bavaria beckons when fall comes and Oktoberfest ramps up. But you don't have to travel overseas to find big outdoor patios, long communal tables, good food, and superb beer. Here are some great beer gardens across the United States with specials that save patrons a buck or two.

Related: 10 Brewery Tours That Feature Free Craft Beer

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VBGB BEER HALL & GARDEN, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte's VBGB serves 30 types of craft beer and imports on a huge patio. A "frost rail," a 5-inch block of ice, runs the length of the bar -- perfect for keeping those brews cold. The restaurant has weekly specials (including $3 craft beer on Tuesday) and often posts one-day deals on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo credit: Anthony M./yelp.com

KILLMEYER'S OLD BAVARIA INN, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK

Killmeyer's has been around a long time -- it was already in business when Nicolas Killmeyer bought it (and changed its name) around 1855. In addition to a traditional restaurant and live entertainment, there's a pretty awesome beer garden. It boasts some weekly specials and happy hour deals from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, such as $5 bratwurst hoagies.
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THE BAUERNHOF AT GRANT'S FARM, ST. LOUIS

Grant's Farm in St. Louis (free admission; $12 for parking) was purchased by the Busch family -- as in Anheuser-Busch -- from former president Ulysses S. Grant. It has rides, baby goats to feed, and other children's attractions for a small fee, but also the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses and a courtyard beer garden. Guests of age can sample Anheuser-Busch products for free with lunch.
Photo credit: Mike R./yelp.com

GREENWOOD PARK, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Greenwood Park is a family-friendly beer garden built out of an old gas station and mechanic shop. It boasts 60 beer lines, bocce ball courts, and a menu with traditional bar fare as well as vegetarian and vegan options. The weekly specials will help keep wallets fat, especially on Tuesdays, when drafts are two for one. All drinks are $2 off during happy hours from noon to 7 p.m.
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HOFBRÄUHAUS ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

The legendary Bavarian beer garden and restaurant in Munich, Germany, has lent its name to about half a dozen franchises stateside. The latest, Hofbräuhaus St. Petersburg, offers daily live entertainment, classic German fare, and a late-night menu. There are plenty of $5 happy hour and late-night specials, including select shots, well drinks, and half-liter beers.
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FRANKFORD HALL, PHILADELPHIA

Picnic-table-style outdoor seating is one of the allures of Philadelphia's Frankford Hall. The restaurant, in a renovated industrial space featuring reclaimed materials and exposed brick walls, offers happy hour specials including $3 sausages, $5 half-liters, and $10 liters. Revelers can munch on a $4 Bavarian pretzel between games at the free ping-pong table.
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THE RATHSKELLER, INDIANAPOLIS

The Rathskeller in downtown Indianapolis is known for live music as well as for its Bavarian-style food and brews. There's a rotating menu of lunch specials that can help visitors save a few bucks while chowing down. The historic building's beer garden has its own walk-up bar for beer and pub food.
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EASY TIGER BAKE SHOP & BEER GARDEN, AUSTIN, TEXAS

The Easy Tiger in Austin is not only a creek-side beer garden, but a bake shop famed for its pretzels. There's a few daily and weekly specials, including a 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. happy hour with discounts on food as well as drinks on weekdays, and a sandwich of the day for $5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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ESTABROOK PARK BEER GARDEN, MILWAUKEE

Estabrook is a truly public beer garden -- it's within Milwaukee's Estabrook Park near a waterfall, and managers say visitors arrive to enjoy imported German beers by foot, bike, car, kayak, and canoe. There's food for purchase, but customers can also bring their own food and soft drinks.
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BOHEMIAN BIERGARTEN, BOULDER, COLORADO

The Bohemian Biergarten in Boulder has an extensive menu of traditional German and Czech foods and brews. Visit during happy hour -- 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays -- to take advantage of food and drink combos or to save $2 off the house wine.
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THE HANDLEBAR, TEMPE, ARIZONA

Handlebar Tempe, touted as a bike-friendly beer garden, offers 24 beers on draft plus a huge selection of can, bomber, and bottle options. Along with loads of specials there are happy hours, Whiskey Tuesdays, and Jameson Thursdays, when shots are two for the price of one from 10 p.m. to close. They take drinking seriously here -- but there are hand-cut fries, burgers, freshly baked pretzels, and local sausages to nosh on, too.
Photo credit: Steins Beer Garden/yelp.com

STEINS BEER GARDEN & RESTAURANT, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA

Steins Beer Garden & Restaurant in Mountain View is a modern American take on the traditional German biergarten. It has 31 craft and import beers on tap and a big comfort-food menu. Happy hours Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. feature $5 to $7 drinks.
Photo credit: Evan S./yelp.com

STUDIO SQUARE, LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK

This massive beer garden and entertainment space serves patrons who love sports, live music, or just good beer. Studio Square has several specials throughout the week. Happy hour lasts from opening to 7 p.m., offering $4 tap beers and $4 sangria. On Wednesdays, ladies can grab $4 drinks from 7 p.m. to closing. Military, EMTs, police, and other municipal employees get 20 percent off all regular-price drinks.
Photo credit: Short North Pint House/yelp.com

SHORT NORTH PINT HOUSE, COLUMBUS, OHIO

At the Short North Pint House in Columbus, revelers can order what the pub calls a Half Yard -- a respectable 32-ounce beer for $10 -- or the $6 beer sampler, which includes three beers from the draft list. A pretty sweet happy hour offers patrons half off selected food and drinks, with options changing daily.
Photo credit: Ricky S./yelp.com

BANGER'S SAUSAGE HOUSE & BEER GARDEN, AUSTIN, TEXAS

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden in Austin is just what it sounds like: a satisfying mix of sausage and beer. It cranks out more than 2,000 pounds of sausage every week, stages live music two to three times a week, and even has a dog park (where pets can eat dog-friendly sausages). Specials include Sunday's $10 Manmosa -- basically a whole bottle of champagne in a giant mug with a splash of juice.

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