200 YEARS OF THE GERMAN BEER GARDEN
A Bavarian Tradition
Need another reason to drink beer? In Germany, and in particular the southern region of Bavaria around Munich celebrates 200 years of the beer garden. Certainly beer drinking goes back way farther, but the Bavarian tradition of the outdoor beer garden associated with breweries dates back to 1812 when the first king of Bavaria, Maximillian I, issued an edict to allow beer brewers to sell retail quantities of their own beer in their own cellars from June until September. The Beer Gardens has since become so fully identified with Germany the experience is has now spread to all parts of the country. A recent study even concluded the 93 percent of international visitors come to Germany for the traditional food and drink.
The roots of the beer garden tradition can be found in Munich and its environs. As far back as far as the Middle Ages, the breweries were only allowed to brew beer during the winter months for fire safety reasons, from the heating process. In order to keep the beer in drinkable condition until the summer, it had to be stored in cellars. These cellars were covered with gravel and fast-growing chestnut trees in order to keep them cool. With the 1812 decree, the outdoor beer gardens were created by the master brewers to sell their beer. Local innkeepers, annoyed with the competition, complained, so the anyone wishing to drink beer out in the open air had to bring their own food. This transformed into the tradition still alive today with a typical basket which includes bread, cucumbers, radishes, homemade Obatzda cheese, grapes, ham and sausages. Though, the rules have changed and a selection of traditional Bavarian food is readily available at the modern beer garden.
The breweries of Munich and Upper Bavaria celebrate their beer garden tradition with “oompahpah” music, traditional Bavarian dancing and a variety of events. The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum, for example, has a special exhibition this year entitled “200 years of the beer garden.” (see Munich Oktoberfest Museum). The Viktualienmarkt food market in central Munich is offering events, and of course Germany’s largest beer festival, the traditional Oktoberfest takes place between September 21 and October 6, 2013 on the Theresienwiese in Munich (see Munich Oktoberfest ).
Where are the best Beer Gardens in Munich? Hard to say. When the weather is warm, beer gardens sprout everywhere. From the patios of hotels to the lakesides of the Englishcer park (see Englisher Garten). On the grounds of Baroque palaces (see Schleissheim Palaces) to the yards of art museums. The most famed beer gardens of Munich are the Hirschgarden at the Nymphenberg Palace (see Nymphenberg), the Chinese Tower in the Englischer Garten , the Augustiner Brau near the railway station and the central Viktualen Market. But go anywhere in the city and beer garden table is not far away. Wander through the Bavarian countryside and find a beer garden at the crossroads of the quaintest of villages. © Bargain Travel Europe
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See Also:
MUNICH'S PINAKOTHEKS ART MUSEUM TREASURES
STRONG
BEER IN BAVARIA
A
TOUR WALK AROUND MUNICH
GETTING A SEAT RESERVATION AT OKTOBERFEST
