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Responsible for the Villa Meteor
How about spending your summer evenings in an Alsatian biergarten?
In Hochfelden, in the heart of Alsace, lies a place that is both steeped in history and resolutely looking to the future: Villa Meteor, the living showcase of France’s oldest independent brewery still in operation. Here, beer is more than just a drink: it’s a culture, a way of life, a family affair. At the helm of this exceptional site is a passionate woman: Valentine Fritsch, the site manager. With enthusiasm and energy, she opened the doors of this unique site to us and told us about a summer event that has become a must: the Biergarten at Villa Meteor.

Villa Meteor, an immersion in the world of beer
Situated in Hochfelden, a small, dynamic town in the Zorn region, the Villa was designed as a place where ideas could be passed on.
” Villa Meteor is a unique brewery discovery site in France,” explains Valentine. ” Visitors can learn all about the beer-making process, as well as the history of the Meteor family, which dates back to 1640 The brewery, which is still family-run, has survived the centuries by retaining its independence, a rare feat in today’s brewing world.
The visit is immersive: models, archive documents, brewing equipment, videos… everything is designed to give visitors a complete experience. But the Villa is not just a museum. It’s also a lively place, with a shop selling brewing products, a tasting room, and cultural and festive events throughout the year.

The biergarten: a not-to-be-missed summer event
Since last summer, a new event has won over regulars and visitors alike: the Biergarten at Villa Meteor. The idea? Enjoy the Villa’s magnificent gardens at the end of the day, in a relaxed atmosphere, over a good beer.
This year, the evenings will take place every Thursday and Friday from 15 May to 5 September, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Admission is free, subject to availability. There’s no need to book, unless you’re coming in a group (20 people or more).
” The idea came to us after numerous requests from locals and tourists alike,” explains Valentine. ” The garden is so pleasant in the evening, and we wanted to make it a place where everyone can enjoy themselves

A friendly atmosphere and new features for 2025
” What people like is the simplicity of these evenings. You come after work, with friends, family or even on your own, have a beer, sit in the garden, chat, listen to a bit of music and enjoy the sunset,” says Valentine.
Three words are often used to describe the atmosphere: friendly, lively and soothing. And it’s not by chance: everything is designed to make everyone feel at ease. From large tables to more intimate corners, deckchairs to shady areas, children playing nearby while parents toast… It’s all there.
The 2025 edition promises to be even more festive:
For this new season, Valentine and her team wanted to enhance the experience even further. ” We’ve listened to the feedback from our visitors. This year, there will be even more diversity!
– Concerts will be organised twice a month to showcase young local bands.
– A different range of snacks will be on offer every week to delight food-lovers.
– Visitors will also be able to discover the brewery’s ephemeral beers, in a warm, lively and relaxing atmosphere.
What if the weather turns out to be a spoilsport? Don’t panic: there are two marquees to shelter visitors in case of rain!

An easy getaway from Strasbourg
Located just 25 minutes from Strasbourg, Hochfelden has excellent rail links. ” A lot of visitors come directly from Strasbourg, Saverne or Brumath, so it’s an ideal way to spend a day after work,” says Valentine.
Her advice on how to make the most of the event?
” Come as early as 6.30pm, remember to bring a little wool for the cooler evenings, and if there are a lot of you, don’t hesitate to book in advance

A summer of celebration: 100 years of the “Meteor” name
One of the highlights of the summer season will be the 100th anniversary of the Meteor name.
“ Meteor has been around since 1640, but it was in 1925 that the name ‘Meteor’ was officially adopted. To celebrate this, we’re organising a big party on 14 and 15 August 2025,” reveals Valentine with pride.
On the programme:
– Period costumes,
– Retro music,
– And of course, good beer!
A unique event not to be missed, in keeping with the brewery’s commitment to combining tradition, creativity and conviviality.

Practical info:
📍 Villa Meteor – Hochfelden
📆 Biergarten: from 15 May to 5 September 2025
🕡 Every Thursday and Friday – 6.30pm to 9.30pm
🎟️ Free admission, no reservation required (except for groups of 20 people or more)
🚉 Easy access by train from Strasbourg
#visitlebeaujardin
