About Us

The Bierstube was first opened in 1963 by German emigrant Leni Hanna and her husband Ed. (Ed's ghost is still blamed for many occurrences such as broken glasses, dishes, and anything else for which no one will take the blame!) The original building was the main and south dining rooms with an open front porch at the time. The German Oberlandler Club held its first meetings at the Bierstube and it was a known gathering place for many of the German locals. It was also popular with students and professors of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana State University and St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. To this day we have alumni and professors who tell stories of Leni, Ed and Frances who was a German waitress. There are still pictures of Leni and Frances on the walls of the restaurant which remain as permanent fixtures.

For approximately a two year period, Fritz Reddinger was owner of the Bierstube during which time he added the north dining room.

It was then purchased by Terre Haute native Gerhardt Wigginton in June of 1977, after he attended Purdue University, graduated from Indiana State University and then served as an officer in the United States Navy. At this time the restaurant became known as Gerhardt's Bierstube Restaurant. Not only did Gerhardt acquire a restaurant, but also several employees who remained with him for many years. Gerhardt has followed in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Philip Monninger (who owned the Trivoli), and his grandfather, Gerhardt Monninger (who owned the Devil's Den and the Block House.)

In 1980, Gerhardt expanded the kitchen, enclosed the open front porch, and added the Banquet Room which has held many wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions, retirement parties, birth and anniversary celebrations, homecoming and graduation dinners for the local universities and many, many Christmas parties.

Today, Gerhardt and his wife, Fran, continue to actively run the restaurant with the hope that you will find our atmosphere cozy, our food and drinks to your satisfaction, and our personnel courteous. If we have accomplished this, then we have fulfilled our desire. Thank you for visiting our website and we hope you will visit us soon.

Gerhardt & Fran Wigginton

Gerhardt's Bierstube Restaurant