Good news for the old town of Dachau: the beer garden on Schlossberg opens in spring

The former Schlossberg brewery was one of the last eyesores in Dachau's old town.

But now life is returning to the area: The residential complex in the former main brewery building is as good as finished, and the beer garden behind it is due to reopen next spring.

Dachau

- That rarely happens in the city council: it was set on Tuesday - across all parties, mind you! - Applause for the colleagues from the building department. No wonder, the building management had put together an application in a quick action to apply for the funding program "Revitalize inner cities" launched in May by the Bavarian Ministry of Construction. The Dachau's argument: what, if not a citizen's beer garden on Schlossberg, in the old town, would better embody the ministerial goal of “active action against the effects of the corona lockdown”?

The ministry was quickly convinced, as Mayor Florian Hartmann proudly reported on Tuesday.

Of the estimated total cost of the measure, around 185,000 euros, the ministry now plans to take over 144,000 euros.

"A great story", as Hartmann thinks.

According to the city's plans, the beer garden should be inaugurated next spring.

A long period of vacancy and waiting comes to an end.

Because beer has not been brewed in the Schlossberg brewery since 2000.

The restaurant and the almost 1000 square meter beer garden have been closed since 2009.

The former bottling plant was demolished in 2014, and the main building of the brewery has been converted into a multi-party apartment building for three years.

The first hopes that the Dachau residents might one day be able to drink a cold beer again on the Schlossberg, under the shady lime trees, beeches, oaks and birches, arose in 2018. Although the owner of the property, Sedlmayr Grund- und Immobilien KGaA, had already promised in 2012 to leave the former beer garden to the city, this promise was not documented until six years later (we reported). On the area that has belonged to the city since then, a park, a playground or even a citizen beer garden is possible according to the development plan.

With government funding, the dream of a beer garden can now be implemented - despite the notorious financial shortage.

The people in charge understand the Bürgerbiergarten as “a public green area equipped with benches and tables.

A mobile bar and the serving of cold meals are possible and mobile toilets can be set up ”.

As far as the noise protection of the neighbors is concerned, according to the building authority, they are currently “exploring what is possible”.

“Probably,” says building authority director Moritz Reinhold, the beer garden should be open until 10 p.m.

“Sure”, however, is that more than 100 people, who are also free to bring their own snacks, will find space in the beer garden.

CSU City Councilor Gertraud Schmidt-Podolsky is enthusiastic about the concept: Especially in times of the corona crisis, “many families have to be careful with their income”, but at the same time the people of Dachau still need “freedom”.

Sören Schneider (SPD) now hopes "that we can find an operator for the bar".

The final award of the hospitality is to take place in the coming winter and the opening party, according to the city, will take place "with an artistic contribution".

In the end all that remained was the question of parking spaces for the guests.

Mayor Hartmann referred to the area on Schlossplatz.

Otherwise, however, he advised cycling or public transport.

Because: "You shouldn't drive a car after a mass of beer anyway."