Almost like at the Oktoberfest: The beer costs 12.30 euros

Created: 08/05/2022, 18:16

By: Andreas Seiler

Bavarian way of life: The Garmisch Festival Week was well attended.

© Krinninger

The catering industry suffers from higher costs for energy, food and staff - and has to pass these on to customers.

This is also felt by the guests of the Garmisch Festival Week.

The prices there have almost reached Wiesn levels.

But this does not detract from the resonance.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Rising inflation cannot be overlooked: Almost everything in everyday life is currently becoming more expensive, including eating out.

The best example: the Garmisch Festival Week, which runs until this Sunday, August 7th.

"There's a lot going on there," says a mother, for example, who attended the children's afternoon with her little daughter on Wednesday.

Half a chicken, fries and a bottle of mineral water - and already 22 euros were gone.

There would also be other expenses, such as for a carousel ride, lots and sweets.

A luxury for families

In fact, a visit to the marquee costs money – a luxury for many families.

Prices have risen sharply since 2019, when the traditional festival at Wittelsbacher Park last took place before the outbreak of the pandemic.

For a beer you have to put 12.30 euros on the table.

Three years ago it was less than ten euros.

The new tariff is almost as high as it will soon be at the Oktoberfest in Munich.

A liter of the Bavarian national drink will cost between 12.60 and 13.80 euros there this year.

The increase is also noticeable when it comes to eating: in the Garmisch festival tent, half a chicken costs 12.50 euros, and a portion of fries costs 5 euros.

The organizer, the folk costume association Garmisch, is aware of the problem.

Only, according to the tenor, you can't do anything about the price spiral, which is spiraling upwards.

This is not only the case in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but a general phenomenon.

"Of course that's high, we're not thrilled.

But the proprietor makes the prices," explains second chairman Benedikt Egner - and adds: "We are glad that we have the proprietor." Elsewhere, folk festivals would have to be canceled, for example in Penzberg, because there is a lack of staff.

The former Trachtler boss Christian Ruf strikes a similar note: "It's not nice." But he understands that the restaurateur has to calculate and add his additional costs.

"There's probably no other way."

“Everything has become more expensive”

A commercial explanation that can also be heard from the Adlwärth family of innkeepers.

"Everything has become more expensive," reports Gaby Adlwärth.

“Everyone passes the costs on.” The price of beer alone has risen three times this year.

But the surcharges are not only recorded when shopping, but also for services that are required for a marquee operation, starting with the tent construction through to the rented toilet van.

These alone cost 3900 euros.

It was therefore a feat of strength to get the nine-day major event off the ground.

There were also delivery problems.

And it is a challenge to find employees in the thinned-out labor market.

"The situation is very bad." Because in the course of the Corona crisis, when the hotels and restaurants were closed, many

reoriented and found jobs in other sectors, reports the entrepreneur.

The result: Wage demands are increasing, starting with the service staff through to the dishwasher.

Remarkable: Although the visitors have to dig deeper into their pockets, they have come in large numbers so far.

"We are quite satisfied.

Every day was good,” summarizes Egner.

For example, the tent was jam-packed at the party evening with the Dreisam band - especially with young visitors who celebrated exuberantly.

"People are really starving," says Adlwärth, whose operations are also responsible for the upcoming Partenkirchner Festival Week at the Schützenhaus (August 13th to 22nd).

In her opinion, people are just happy that normality has finally returned and they can enjoy life.

In any case, no one complained about the prices.

On the contrary: "Many thanked us for the whole thing taking place at all."