Monday 24th of September 2007 02:14:12 PM

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Hessen Haus is a German beer hall in downtown Des Moines with 22 taps and thirtysomething bottles. The taps are almost exclusively German, while the bottles offer variety from the UK and US.

But you're here for German stuff, right? They do it up in style. Great atmosphere, gorgeous look. I had the nerve to be disappointed in not getting to try a schwarzbier or alt on tap as their online menu suggests, but this was Oktoberfest that I finally dragged myself over to check the place out. They had the O-fests out en force, at least 4 or 5 to choose from. I cannot complain about that. I'll do the other beers on another visit.

They did not have a single beer from Millstream, an Iowa brewery that brews reasonably well up the German alley. If they can sacrifice a tap to the Guinness gods, then they can sacrifice one to a local brewery.

Our waitress was helpful and efficient on a busy day, and our jaegerschnitzel was good, though my comrade's German potato salad looked a little lackluster. He said it tasted like it looked.

I don't know if it's an everyday thing, but they had a lederhosened bloke entertaining the tables with his accordion, and the crowd was loving his range.

I'll save The Boot for another day. There will be another day, as this place was great.

Check behind me, because now I don't recall for sure, but I don't think this place is open on Sundays.