Thanin Viriyaki
There’s something poetic about drinking German beer under the canopy of old cottonwoods, especially when it’s tied to a tradition nearly as old as the trees themselves.
From May 30 to June 1, a fresh yet familiar celebration will unfold in Fort Worth’s River District as Crystal Springs Hideaway hosts its inaugural Maifest, reviving a spring tradition that dates back to 1882 in this part of Texas. Back then, Fort Worth’s German immigrants gathered in places like the Grunewald Pavilion and Hermann Park to welcome spring with music, dancing, and, of course, bier. Now, that tradition returns with bratwursts, polka bands, and $5 Paulaners.
It’s the kind of cultural revival that feels right at home at Crystal Springs Hideaway, a new beer and wine garden tucked into a 100-year-old bungalow and stone carriage house — a site that owners JD and Shanna Granger fell in love with for its history and heart.
“Over the years, I feel like our beloved Fort Worth joints have faded away,” said JD Granger. “But then I came across this great 100-year-old bungalow with a stone carriage house and water tower — nestled smack-dab in the middle of a neighborhood. I immediately knew this is the kind of place people miss and want to hang out at.”
They’ve preserved the original shiplap, kept the hardwood floors intact, and kept a sharp eye on the character of the place, letting it breathe and be itself. The name, Crystal Springs Hideaway, nods to the legendary Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion that once stood just behind the venue, widely credited as the birthplace of Western swing in the 1920s. You can almost hear the echoes of Bob Wills drifting through the trees.
During Maifest, visitors will raise steins to live music from polka party favorites: Alpine Village Band on Friday night, and Alpenmusikanten on Saturday — both veterans of the Fort Worth Oktoberfest stage. Classic German fare like bratwurst and pretzels will be served up all weekend long, and anyone showing up in dirndl or lederhosen might just walk away with a prize — or at least a few Instagram likes.
The real star of the show, though, might just be the beer. Paulaner, founded in 1634 and one of Munich’s original seven breweries, will be flowing for $5 a pour.
Maifest may not have the name recognition of its autumn cousin, Oktoberfest, but in Germany it’s just as cherished. And in Fort Worth, where spring starts early and the community’s roots run deep, this May feels like the perfect time to bring it home.
As JD Granger puts it, “It’s casual. It’s comfortable. And it will be an affordable place to enjoy drinks with friends and grab a bite to eat.”
