The classic layout of the Hofbrauhaus beer garden in Newport, Kentucky.

Recently we spent a rainy Saturday afternoon in Newport at the Hofbrauhaus. The Schwarzbier and Leberkase were fine, indeed, and there always is food for thought at places like this.

Specifically, because the blustery weather precluded use of the biergarten, it was a rare opportunity to take photos of the layout sans human bodies. The HB's outdoor area contains most of the design elements of a genuine Old World article, down to the benches, tables and pea gravel.

As we inch forward toward initiating the "beer garden" project at Bank Street Brewhouse, there are plenty of ideas in these photos. Whether we can afford to implement them is another matter ...