Press information for 200th anniversary Biergarten

Press information for 200th anniversary Biergarten
Why has the Biergarten its anniversary just in winter?
After a rebellion of the innkeepers King Max Joseph I allowed the brewers on January 4 th
1812 to offer their guests self brewed beer and serve them on the spot with beer and
bread. In short: the beer could now been drunk officially where it was brewed – this was
the birth of the official Biergarten.
First Biergarten rebellion
Already long before Max Joseph I it was usual to retail beer directly in the beer cellars. In
the beginning people brought a large jug to carry their beer home. But on hot summer
days the beer was often drunk directly on the spot. Therefore the brewers put tables and
benches under the chestnut trees. This annoyed the innkeepers because these places
became very popular among the guests. The innkeepers protested, they demanded: “the
brewers shall serve the innkeepers and not sell their beer to everyone.”
The development of the Biergärten
From the middle of he 18 th century the population of Munich increased. And so did the
beer consumption. Larger stock rooms for the beer had to be developed. These were
found at the Isar bank, at the Gasteig. Huge beer cellars were dug into the river bank. In
addition the brewers planted fast growing trees with large leaves on the river bank – the
chestnut trees. They should prevent a heating up of the ceiling and the bottom of the beer
cellars. Beside ice-blocks from the ponds and lakes the trees served as additional cooling
aid. The Hofbräuhaus profited from this development, too.
In course of the enlargement of the beer palace in 1897 the beer production and beer
stock was transferred to the river bank of the Isar. The Biergarten is still there. Already at
that time beer was served in the inner court and today's Biergarten. In 1897 the
Hofbräuhaus had to expand to create room for the guests from Munich and all around the
world. But the beer was brewed and stored in the beer cellar at the Isar river bank from
1897 on.
Copywriter and contact: Dr. Barbara Bichler & Sabine Elisabeth Barthelmeß spokeswoman [email protected]
02.12
The former Hofbräuhaus inner court
From 1607 till the move of the brewery in 1896 the Hofbräuhaus stored its beer at the
Platzl and served it there, too. At first only members of the court could enjoy the “liquid
bread”. But soon the common population could drink it, too. This mobilized the
innkeepers. They feared the competition and tried everything to prevent the Hofbräuhaus
from serving food. But beer without basis even at that time seemed unthinkable. “Flying
traders” were the solution: men with Pretzel, women with radishes, women with roasted
chestnuts and nuts. The guests enjoyed their beer in the inner court and under the Salettl
(protecting shelter). The guests had to “conquer” a mug, clean it and get it filled.
The Hofbräuhaus even kept this tradition when in 1896 the building was rebuilt into the
beer palace and got today's shape. Inside the idyllic inner court stand chestnut trees
around the fountain spring with the stone lion. At the turn of the century the mug of beer
is told to have been two pence cheaper if the guest got the mug at the counter by himself.
This way he spared the waiters tip.
King Ludwig I
To prevent another Biergarten-rebellion King Ludwig I underlined in his decree that the
beer cellars could go on with their beer retail, but were not allowed to serve food. Who
wanted to enjoy his beer in the shade of the chestnut trees had to bring his own food
then. Today this royal decree is no longer valid.
An oasis in the middle of the city
Surrounded by historic walls there is room for almost 450 guests in the open air. There
they can experience the unique atmosphere of a Biergarten in the city. To be precise: the
former royal Hofbräuhaus Biergarten, built in 1897 for the inhabitants of Munich, is an inn.
The guests are served delicious homemade “Schmankerln” (specialties). Therefore it is not
worth to bring one´s own food. And we don´t have to talk about the location of the Platzl.
If you have business in the inner city you can reach the Biergarten most comfortably by
foot. And when sitting under the chestnut tress´s shade, drinking one beer or two, eating
an “Obazda” (traditional Bavarian cheese spread with onions and bread) – and getting
offered a fresh “Brezn” (Pretzel) by a charming waitress – you can be sure to enjoy life.
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary the Hofbräuhaus for 2012 had minted a beer coin
edition with the Biergarten.
Copywriter and contact: Dr. Barbara Bichler & Sabine Elisabeth Barthelmeß spokeswoman [email protected]
02.12
Beer coin - edition 2012 – 200 years of Biergarten
The beer coins remind of long gone times when only members of the court got their daily
quantity of beer in exchange for special beer coins. The Hofbräuhaus innkeepers Michael
and Wolfgang Sperger revived this beer coin tradition in 2004 as appreciation of their
most devoted guests. Since then it is custom at the tables of the regular guests to pay
their quarts not with money but with beer coins as in former days. Who buys ten beer
coins gets an eleventh as loyalty discount.
The Biergarten as help against solitude
A visit to the Biergarten always is an adventure. Here people from all social levels meet;
resident and tourist, old and young. The Biergarten atmosphere is unique, everyone
greets everybody and talk among each other. By this many friendships resulted – even if
some lasted only one Biergarten visit.
A part of the Bavarian decree for Biergärten from 1999 shows how important a visit to a
Biergarten is for your psyche:
“Biergärten perform an important social and connecting function because at all
times they are an appreciated social meeting point for people in all walks of life. ...”
From felt-mats to cardboard beer-mats (coaster)
During the 19th century richer people drank their beer from mugs with lids of tin. Others
used mugs without lid. The mats for the mugs were made of felt. They were supposed to
absorb the condensed water which run from the outside of the mug. Drinking your beer in
the open you would put the felt-mat on top of the mug to prevent insects and leaves from
falling into the beer. This is where the name “beer lid” originated from. But bacteria would
multiply happily in those damp beer-felts. These unsanitary felts were replaced by an
invention made on the turn of the century.
Robert Sputh from Dresden received in 1892 the patent 68499 for his method of
production of fibre-mats. The absorbent mats replaced the felt-mats quickly. Today they
not only serve as lid or mat but also as note block for the waiter and as toy for the guest
Copywriter and contact: Dr. Barbara Bichler & Sabine Elisabeth Barthelmeß spokeswoman [email protected]
02.12
to build a house of mats or as collecting item. Especially popular are limited mats of the
regular tables of the Hofbräuhaus.
Here you can download high definition photos and further information directly:
http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/de/presse/pressebilder.php
http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/de/presse/pressetexte.html
Please state the respective source and send us a copy: [email protected]
Hofbräuhaus, Platzl 9, 80331 München GERMANY www.hofbraeuhaus.de
Copywriter and contact: Dr. Barbara Bichler & Sabine Elisabeth Barthelmeß spokeswoman [email protected]
02.12