Restaurateur Hans Weissgerber III of the Weissgerber Group is ready to rejuvenate Milwaukee's German heritage with the Friday opening of the Old German Beer Hall, located at 1009 N. Old World 3rd St.

Weissgerber says that he is looking to highlight Germany's culture and re-introduce Milwaukeeans to an authentic Bavarian beer hall experience.

Take it from the guy who's lived in Germany for two years and has done his fair share of Oktoberfesting.

"I drank a beer with the mayor of Munich from the first barrel tapped at Oktoberfest in 2004," he says. "It's a fun culture. They enjoy a good beer and the politicians aren't afraid to raise a stein in public."

Weissgerber's Beer Hall seats about 100 and will feature the beers of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, which is arguably the most famous beer hall in the world. Serving options for the lagers, darks and weisses include one-third, half and full steins, as well as boots. He will also serve Miller High Life and Miller Lite in bottles.

Food, he says, will be a "simple beer hall" menu, offering snack items like pretzels to true German style meats such as bratwurst, knockwurst, smoked pork chops and carved corned beef sandwiches.

The Old German Beer Hall opens to the public Friday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. and Weissgerber says, "The beer will flow."

Weissgerber's other businesses include the Third Street Pier, Edelweiss Cruise Lines and his 2006 addition, Rip Tide Seafood Bar & Grill, which is currently being developed in the Third Ward's Harbor Front Condominium complex.