Max and Popcorn in Neustadt 2025

This was Max and Popcorn's experience of a German town called Neustadt an der Weinstraße (means New City on the Wine Street) - and they are famously KNOWN for their WINE.

As Max and Popcorn ride the local merry-go-round you will learn about the Xtra Large Advent Calendar on the side of the Town Hall where they are lighting up a new window each night showcasing the American Pop Artist, Ed Heck. What an honor!!

Max and Popcorn also mention Neustadt’s mythical creature called the ‘Elwetritsch’ (pronounced elveh-twitch). Supposedly they live in tree tops and you have to get really drunk on wine (that’s probably how you see them to begin with) first. Then you have a catcher who holds a potato sack and also a beater who leads the catcher to a dark clearing making noise to scare the elwetritsch from its tree top. The lantern holder holds the light up to attract the Birds curious eyes. When the bird comes over to ‘investigate’ the light, the catcher throws the sack over it.

In this video, I do my own type of ‘Elwetritsch Hunting’ and it’s really cute what shows up : )

Max and Popcorn also talk about the gorgeous and significant Gothic building with two towers called The Stiftskirche St. Ägidius built in the 14th century by Count Palantine Rudolf ll. It’s known as the ‘Dual Church’ - because in 1707 a wall was built dividing the nave (Protestant) from the choir (Catholic). The wall has since come down and all the original paintings on the ceilings revealed - symbolizing reconciliation and shared worship.

Max and Popcorn also talk about the long standing tradition of drinking Glühwein (pronounced gloo-vine) - with its roots going back centuries to medieval monks and nobles. It is a beloved winter staple embodying German Gemütlichkeit (coziness). You see, this wine is mulled (warmed slowly) - flavored with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, orange and sugar. It literally means “glow wine”. Warming it slowly preserves the alcohol - and yet some still add rum or brandy to the mixture.

Peter and his wife Karen shared Glühwein with us as well as sausages and chocolate covered marshmallows and this salty soft doughy bread that I wish was in front of me right now. What a treat to share this old tradition with new friends.

Max and Popcorn hope you enjoy this little tour of a beautiful town called Neustadt an der Weinstraße that chose Ed Heck as their artist this year to celebrate each night leading up to CHRISTMAS, 2025!!