Leeds Christkindelmarkt

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
We love Christmas in our house, it is only mid-November and most of our shopping is complete and we are itching to open up the 'Christmas Cupboard' so that we can decorate our house.

If you live in Leeds then you will more than likely share a tradition with us...an annual visit to the German Market on Millennium Square - if you are not from Leeds then you need to visit soon, it is worth it.

Taking up the whole of Millennium Square in Leeds, the Christkindelmarkt is a cornucopia of festive delights, full of market stalls selling nutcrackers and various other Christmas treats. Whether you are just passing through, bringing young family members, or even just having a browse with friends there is always something exciting to purchase...more often than not this being the food! You can pick up Schnitzel & Bratwurst to accompany your mulled wine at many of the stalls!

Image taken from Getty Images...I was too excited to enter the beer hall that I forgot to take a photo of the market itself!

For me, after visiting the market for many years I tend to miss the gift stalls...as they have not really changed in 8 years of going, never the less there is something comfortable, familiar and festively warming about the market.

First round of Wheat Beer

So have you decided to visit yet? What ever time of day you go to the Christkindelmarkt there is one place that you have to visit...and once you have you will visit every year...the beer hall. Situated in the heart of the German Market the beer hall visually covers every german stereotype that we have in the UK! For the past few years the queue to enter has been up to 90 minutes long (this normally results in a visit to the small outdoor bar round the corner), however strangely enough last night (Friday) we were in after no more than 10 minutes in the queue. Upon queueing I wondered if Leeds had become bored of the beer hall? This thought was swiftly changed upon entering, even though I remember what it looks like you can not walk into the beer hall without smiling...the stein's were out, beer flowing with the Umpah band in full swing! In the past you have had to put a deposit on a stereotypically large glass stein full of Wheat Beer, however due to the obvious safety issues you are now presented with smaller pint sized steins for a £3 deposit...I kin
d of regret not bringing mine home. I started on the dark Wheat beer before moving onto a pint of the light, reason being that it was a bit too heavy when you know that it is the first of many!! The beer was cracking, with an alternate choice of cider for those who do not appreciate a good wheat beer.
After a couple of hours in the hall listening to the Umpah band, who did not actually do anything German, but instead entertained us with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney & even Michael Jackson (yes you read that correctly) last orders was called, at an early 10pm! I did not mind this so much as it gave us the opportunity to head over to the Brewery Tap for a quick couple of pints before the last train home.

The Christkindelmarkt is definitely worth a visit if you have never been there. However discussing it this morning Liz & I questioned whether we enjoyed it as much knowing that it will be the same night out every year. Can you have too much of a good thing when it comes to beer? Maybe we are just due a festive session elsewhere for a change.
- Sam