Munich opens first alcohol-free beer garden
In the heart of Munich, the first alcohol-free beer garden of the city is opening. The gasthaus "Die Null" is opening before a week of the beginning of Oktoberfest. The city intends to counteract degenerate tendencies with this. The Bavarian Brewers Association expresses skepticism.
In a beer garden, there is beer - so far, so normal. But in Munich, a special variant is planned. As the first alcohol-free beer garden, "Die Null" is opening near the Hauptbahnhof. The beer garden culture will not be defined by alcohol, but by gathering in the open air, write the organizers, who want to offer mocktails (cocktails without alcohol), juices and other non-alcoholic beverages, as well as beer, of course, alcohol-free.
There are also cultural offerings, parties or dance evenings planned. Details will be presented at the opening in the afternoon, where Oberburgermeister Dieter Reiter also participates.
Concept against degenerate tendencies
The beer garden is planned to be at Karl-Stützel-Platz until September 15 - shortly before the beginning of Oktoberfest, on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5 pm to 10 pm, provided the weather is suitable. 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 degenerate tendencies.
The Association for the Preservation of Bavarian Economic Culture welcomes the idea. Business manager Ursula Zimmermann says: "We welcome every initiative that enlivens the tavern 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, Zimmermann also points out that no one is forced to consume alcohol in other beer gardens.
Alcohol-free beer is becoming more popular
The managing director of the Bavarian Brewers Association, Walter König, refers to the motto "Live and let live" and advocates coexistence of different beverages. "Why should a host exclude a customer circle due to the beverage offer? Every guest should be able to order and drink what suits him at the moment, and that can change depending on the occasion, mood, and time of day."
Among the customers, beer without alcohol comes with malt beverages. 471,300 hectoliters were produced in the first quarter of this year, an increase of roughly 44,500 hectoliters compared to the previous yearly period. Sixty percent of this was alcohol-free wheat beer, a quarter was low-alcohol. As a reason for the increasing popularity, König names the scientific and technological effort that has been made to improve the taste.
Despite the skepticism from the Bavarian Brewers Association, Munich is introducing an innovative concept with the opening of the first alcohol-free beer garden, "Die Null." Internationally, nutrition trends lean towards healthier options, and this initiative aligns with that, providing mocktails, juices, and non-alcoholic beverages, in addition to alcohol-free beer.
Given the growing popularity of alcohol-free beer worldwide, with 471,300 hectoliters produced in the first quarter of this year, it's clear that the International Nutrition perspective is not isolated, and the Bavarian city is tapping into this global health-conscious trend.
