Oddly enough, I speak German.  Don't ask how it happened.  There's no funny story.  When I was in grade school, yo  u had to take French until 6th grade, when you could take up whatever language tickled your fancy.  I fancied German for some incredibly inane 12 year old reason.  So I speak German.  When I was a junior in high school, I spent a summer traveling through Germany with a group of friends.  There was no drinking age and despite our parents making us sign we-will-not-get-wasted-no-matter-what-beer-is-thrown-in-our-faces waivers, we still got wasted no matter what beer was thrown in our faces.  It's easy to have beer thrown in your face in Germany.  In fact, there is a "bier" button on most vending machines.  And then there's the traditional beer garden. "Biergartens" in Germany are like McDonald's or Starbucks in the US.  They're everywhere.  It's of no surprise that as immigrants made their way to America or as America was even structured (being that it was created by immigrants), beer gardens sprung up and continue to flourish in the states.

Beer gardens are synonymous with a good time.  There's nothing like a crisp pale ale in your hand, an open air feel, and good friends.  Fortunately you don't have to break the piggy bank, hop on a Lufthansa flight, and beer crawl through Germany.  Nope, Joonbug's scenetracker crew is ready with the best beer gardens this side of the pond.

New York City 

Bohemian Hall-The Home of the earliest beer garden in Astoria, the 800 seater (250 additional inside), boasts being the oldest real beer garden in existance in New York.  The average beer is just $5 and the menu serves a Czech/Eastern European fare.  With tons of festivals and open events, the Astoria beer garden is one of the most popular hang outs in the city.  Grab a beer and wind down. (29-19 24th Avenue Astoria, NY; 718.728.9278)

The Beer Garden at the Standard- Setting it's own standard in the beer garden world, located under the High Line in the Meat Packing district, this particular beer garden is packed with sausage, pretzels, ping pong and of course beer.  It's a trendier crowd, but definitely worth the visit as it won the Best New Beer Garden award from Time Out Magazine. (848 Washington St. New York, NY 10014; 212-645-4646)

Los Angeles

On the Waterfront Cafe-Not notoriously known for it's beer gardens, finding that breezy option can seem like a feat in itself.  On the Waterfront Cafe in Venice makes the dream a reality.  Situated right on the boardwalk, you can enjoy a great variety of both imports and domestics while watching the craziness that is Venice Beach.  With a focus on German beer, and a slightly different style of eats from the traditional beer garden menu, On the Waterfront has anything from burgers to pasta and dessert. (205 Ocean Front Walk, half a block north of Rose Avenue; 310.392.0322)

Red Lion Tavern- Perhaps the most popular beer guzzling option, the Red Lion Tavern is located in Silverlake and is a traditional German restaurant with a rooftop beer garden-esque option. Additionally, Monday through Friday has a great happy hour and the weekend spotlights a traditional German breakfast. (2366 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.662.5337)

Chicago

Happy Village- Situated in Uke Village, this is the spot to find a shit hole complete with linoleum floors, rickedy ping pong tables, and crappy food.  But the beer garden.  Oh, the beer garden outside.  Fairy lights, tents, plastic chairs and picnic tables sets the scene for the best beer hang out in the city.  Those who know it, know it well, and love it even more.  (1059 N Wolcott Ave-between Augusta Blvd & Thomas St- Chicago, IL 60622; 773.486.1512)

Miami

Lou's Beer Garden- Lou's is right in Miami Beach and while much of the area is filled with tanned, beauties who could care less about actually waiting on you, despite their job description, Lou's servers are on point.  Friendly, offering taste tests, and chatting up with patrons, they fit the bill perfectly.  A pool, patio seating, good eats, and tons of events (a beer cook off!) make Lou's a definite stop. They even answer personal questions on their facebook page. Talk about a gem in Miami Beach! (7337 Harding Ave Miami Beach, FL 33141; 305.704.7879)

Philadelphia

Eulogy Belgian Tavern - Often called the best beer haven in a city that lives for Irish pubs and real German Pretzels. With a list of over 300 international and domestic bottled beers and 21 draught beers it’s clear why it's a favorite. Ranked as the fifth best beer restaurant in the United States by ratebeer.com. (136 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA; 215.413.1918)