Käfer serves Spaten beer and also Franziskaner weissbier, you can get a Russnmaß (weissbier with lemon soda) as well as a Radlermaß (beer with lemon soda). The glasses were decently filled, not the 3/4 level you get at some tents. The food, as has been mentioned many times before, is exceptionally good. I had 1/2 duck with gravy, two rösti, red cabbage and applesauce: The meat was firm and juicy (not dry, as duck can be), the applesauce chunky and tart, the rösti made from grated potatoes, not a mix, the gravy was real meat gravy with a great taste of its own. I do not like red cabbage as a rule, but this stuff was delicious with just the right amount of cinnamon. The obatzda (camembert/butter/beer mix) was the rare kind with crushed caraway seeds, the texture was light, almost fluffy. One person said that the Wiener Schnitzel, served with red currant jam, was the best she had ever eaten, a golden crust with just the right bit of crunch coating two pieces of juicy veal. The snack plater with ham, sausage etc. was garnished with fresh red radishes and mini white radishes as well as small pickles, the quality was, again, not to be criticized.
There was just enough room for dessert, after much deliberation I chose the Zwetschgendatschi, that was the only slight disappointment of the afternoon. While the plums were seasoned beautifully the shortbread base was gooey and chewy.
Our table was outside the main structure in a little roofed, boxed area of its own, the space on the bench running around the table was ample. The music was agreeably unobtrusive and mostly harmless little ditties interspersed with traditional bits such as the Kufsteiner Lied. When we had to vacate the table for the next group we just grabbed our glasses and joined the crowd in the space between the main structure and the beergarden where we finished our drinks in leisure. The afternoon minimum per capita is €40, we didn't quite hit that but came pretty close. More desserts, ladies!
One word to the waiter: When an American says Hendl do not persist in hearing Ente. It can happen once but mustn't happen twice. Especially when the lady in question explicitly repeats: Hendl, nicht Ente.
All in all, the atmosphere is like a big garden party with people coming and going but never rushed. Considering the reputation Käfer has as playground for the rich and beautiful snobocracy of Munich our group was pleasantly surprised, and I can recommend treating yourself to this experience at least once.
P.S. The picture appears courtesy of sparty.
