Scholz Garten was its own perfect Saturday self today, with graduation parties thrown in. People of all ages were dressed in everything from their commencement finery to regular old Austin-style Saturday grunge and everything in between.

The tourists were dining in the biergarten, which is complete with heavy-duty fans these days, and we locals were enjoying the indoor atmosphere, with bantering waitstaff, people passing to and fro, and a fine view into the kitchen.

At our table to be enjoyed were French fries, nachos with extra jalapenos, potato salad, cole slaw, excellent brisket in the Green Mesquite tradition, sliced from the lean, and a selection of the brews on tap. Scholz’s continues to be a bargain (check the menu).

Beginning tomorrow Scholz’s will inaugurate its observance of the dog days of summer, planned for every Sunday through the season. The first 50 people accompanied by a dog will receive a free portable drinking bowl for their favorite canine, and 10% of sales will benefit Texas Hearing & Service Dogs. There will be live music from 11:30 to 2 pm (the Gunhands opening and Paula Nelson taking the stage at 12:45). There’s no cover; remember, though, that the bigger your tab, the greater the benefit to the worthy cause.