The Alpenblick & Wilde Gams Brauerei - Kirchberg, Austria
The Alpenblick & Wilde Gams Brauerei
During our Summer travels through Europe, we had an amazing stop in the town of Kirchberg, Austria and were lucky enough to spend 3 full days in a mountain lovers paradise - hosted by the amazing owners of “Haus Alpenblick”.
The Alpenblick - Located in the heart of the Austrian Alps is Haus Alpenblick in Kirchberg. Emma and Chris, the lovely owners of this already established guest house (operating since 1930!), have created a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests truly feel at home. Emma serves up some top-notch, locally sourced food paired excellently with Chris’ brews. Below their 20 guest rooms, they have an eating space and cozy bar - perfect for all your apres-ski needs. This is a winter holiday paradise, surrounded by inviting ski hills and nestled in a cozy, Austrian town - you are minutes from any and everything you could want for your next ski-cation.
Now, where is all the snow in our photos you ask? Well, we came in the offseason because we had heard that the Tyrol area offers some of the most amazing trekking in Austria. For us, our stay was a hiker’s paradise. Chris is an outdoor enthusiast and always willing to take his guests to the best locations. His knowledge of flora, trails, and animals was evident on our extensive day hike - we learned so much about the local wildlife - and as a native New Zealander, his English is of course very good.
Pictured above is Emma rolling out flammkuchen made from spent grain - what a neat way to reuse brewing material (and delicious too)! This was just one of many examples of creative takes on home-cooked Austrian staples, she also did a spent grain spaetzle that blew our minds. Despite so much going on at the guesthouse (beer, nature, etc.) the food never gets overlooked - Emma’s culinary skill ensures that the meals are a highlight, not an afterthought. It was so very cool to have breakfast with Emma and Chris in the mornings. All the food was expertly cooked with a home-cooking feel but restaurant quality plating and service. Sharing stories in the bar at night with fellow travelers over a pint of hand-crafted beer and then retiring to cozy rooms with amazing views really highlighted our trip. To top it all off, Kirchberg was in the middle of a summer festival, and there was live music with food and drink stalls, locally crafted items, and locals willing to share a table and a story.
Wilde Gams Brauerei
A few years back Chris, a qualified Beer Sommelier, decided to take his home-brewing to a larger scale and open a full-service brewery in the guesthouse. He is putting out some fantastic, unfiltered beers crafted with care and thought. Locals and tourists alike show up throughout the day for some delicious Wilde Gams bier - it is a popular stop for bike riders and skiers alike. We took a few of his beers on our hike and popped one open at the top of the Spießnägel - a popular local peak. Chris is brewing a variety of styles - Kristine’s favorite was his IPA, while mine was his amazing Dunkelweizen (I could not get enough of this beer) - so it is always worth checking back to see what he has in stock!
Local/Seasonal Information:
Summer:
We visited Kirchberg and the vicinity in the summer months during our travels. What we found was some amazing hiking and outdoor activities among many other attractions!
Hiking:
With over 57 cable cars and lifts in this area, it is easy to head straight up into the mountains. We did some hiking during our time in the Kitzbuhel Ski area as well as hiking up to the top of Spießnägel, the views from the top were an absolute treat! Not all of the lifts are open in the summer but they are strategically open to allow the best access to the walking trails.
Winter:
Do you enjoy winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, and/or snowshoeing? This area has a fantastic ski hill, Kitzbuhel Ski Area, which boasts 185km of groomed pistes, 57 cable cars and lifts, freeriding options, and almost 200 guaranteed days of snow! All of this only a short train ride or drive from the Alpenblick & Wilde Gams! All of this only a short ride on the free bus or drive from the Alpenblick & Wilde Gams! The bus leaves for from the end of the street and travels 3 stops to the lift. Once you catch the first lift up you can ski all day through the resort using the many lifts to connect from piste to piste.
Distance to Popular Destinations:
From Kirchberg to Salzburg - Approx. 90Km (55 miles)
From Kirchberg to Innsbruck - Approx. 84Km (52 miles)
From Kirchberg to Munich - Approx. 128Km (80 miles)
*There is a well connected train that allows one to travel easily between Haus Alpenblick and nearby cities.
Overall, words can not express how amazing our time with Chris and Emma was, they have created something pure and unique, and elevated vacation experience. No matter if you are a nature enthusiast, beer seeker, foodie, ski freak, or just looking for a relaxing stay - Haus Alpenblick and Wilde Gams Brauerei are a must-visit in the Tyrol area.
Any questions or comments? Leave one below!
Jason & Kristine
*We were guests of Haus Alpenblick during our stay in Kirchberg but all opinions are our own.