leisure - Alcohol-free Beer Garden 'Die Null' in Munich opens
In a beer garden, there is beer - so far, so normal. But in Munich, there is a special variation planned. Near the main train station, a non-alcoholic beer garden is opening. The intriguing name: "Die Null". The organizers write that beer garden culture will not be defined by alcohol, but by coming together in the open air. They plan to offer mocktails (cocktails without alcohol), juices and other non-alcoholic beverages, as well as beer, of course, alcohol-free. Additionally, cultural offerings, parties or dance evenings are planned.
Concept against degenerative tendencies
The beer garden is planned to be at Karl-Stützel-Platz until September 15th, depending on the weather, Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5 pm to 10 pm. It is organized by gastronomes who want to revitalize and enhance the place. Their initiative is part of a comprehensive concept with which the city wants to counteract degenerative tendencies.
The area around the main train station and the Old Botanical Garden should become more attractive again, so that people feel safe there and want to stay, said Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) recently. "We were very unhappy with the situation. Then we visited the area a few times with a task force and jointly thought about what we could do better. Actually, the solution was relatively simple: We need revitalization here," Reiter said at the opening.
The Association for the Preservation of Bavarian Business Culture welcomes the idea. Business manager Ursula Zimmermann: "We welcome every initiative that enlivens the gastronomy landscape. An alcohol-free beer garden complements the existing offer and can be an interesting alternative for some. And the gastronomes could create a unique selling point. However, no one is forced to consume alcohol in other beer gardens, emphasizes Zimmermann.
"Live and let live"
The business manager of the Bavarian Brewers' Association, Walter König, refers to the motto "Live and let live" and draws a parallel to different beverages. "Why should a host exclude a customer circle based on the beverage offer? Every guest should be able to order and drink what suits them at the moment, and that can also change depending on the occasion, mood, and time of day," he thinks.
The beer without alcohol, including malt beverages, is well received among the customer base: 471,300 hectoliters were produced in the first quarter of this year, about 44,500 hectoliters more than in the previous yearly period. Sixty percent of this fell on alcohol-free wheat beer, a quarter on under-filtered. As a reason for the increasing popularity, König names the scientific and technological effort that has been made to improve the taste.
- Dieter Reiter, the mayor of Munich, expressed his support for the initiative to revitalize the area around the main train station, emphasizing that it's important to counteract degenerative tendencies.
- The upcoming non-alcoholic beer garden, named "Die Null," is expected to be a significant addition to the leisure activities in Munich, situated near the main train station at Karl-Stützel-Platz.
- As part of the comprehensive concept to enhance the area around the main train station in Bavaria, Germany, Dieter Reiter emphasized the importance of creating a safe and attractive environment for people to enjoy their leisure time, which includes activities like visiting beer gardens.
- Gastronomes and business associations in Bavaria, such as the Association for the Preservation of Bavarian Business Culture and the Bavarian Brewers' Association, have positively received the idea of an alcohol-free beer garden, recognizing its potential to enrich the local eating and drinking scene and provide a unique selling point for leisure activities.
- The increasing popularity of non-alcoholic beer in Germany, particularly alcohol-free wheat beer, can be attributed to advancements in scientific and technological efforts to improve taste, providing a refreshing alternative for consumers in beer gardens like "Die Null."
