The price of beer has exploded drastically in recent years. At the end of May, visitors to the Erlangen Bergkirchweih will also feel this.
Erlangen – At the end of May, the motto in Erlangen is once again "The mountain is calling!" when the oldest folk festival in the world opens its doors. Around one million visitors flock to Franconia every year for the Bergkirchweih. Beer prices at the Franconian folk festival are now almost climbing to Oktoberfest levels.
Erlanger Bergkirchweih: Beer price at record level
In 2019, the price for a mass in Erlangen was still 9.50 euros – visitors can only dream of such prices this year. The hefty increase is due not only to the Corona pandemic, but also to the Ukraine war and persistent inflation.
At the Erich Cellar, guests can get a litre of beer for 12 euros, the beer brand in advance for 11.50 euros. Birkners Keller charges 12 euros per measure – both in advance and on site. This year, for the first time, the operators will also host the beer garden of the Old Town Shooting House. Here, visitors pay either 11.50 euros in advance or 12 euros directly in the beer garden.
Overview: This is what the mass at the Bergkirchweih in Erlangen costs according to cellars
- Erich-Keller: 12 Euro
- Birkners Keller: 12 Euro
- Old Town Shooting House: 12 euros
- Tucher cellar: 11.50 euros
- Steinbach-Keller: 11,50 Euro
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The Erlangen "cellars"
Unlike at the Oktoberfest, in Erlangen you don't drink the festival beer in the tent, but "in the cellars". Based on the traditional storage of beer - which used to be stored in cool cellar tunnels until it was served.
"Should remain reasonably affordable" – No price increase in the Tucher cellar
At the Tucher cellar, the beer brand of the traditional brewery also costs 11.50 euros. At the Steinbach cellar, mountain visitors pay 11.50 euros per measure, as in the previous year. Brewmaster Christoph Gewalt explains to Merkur.de: "Actually, we should raise the prices! (...) We just want the mountain to remain 'halfway' affordable and not lose its attractiveness."
With the renunciation of a price increase, one wants to "try to set a small signal," said Gewalt vom Tucher-Keller. "The city hasn't increased the fees this year, but of course energy, malt, transport, personnel, security, etc. has risen significantly."
On 25 May, Mayor Florian Janik will ceremoniously open the mountain. Until 5 June, visitors will be able to enjoy the beer garden and rides in hopefully summery temperatures. It still takes some time until the Oktoberfest tapping in Munich: It will not be until September 16 that the motto will be "O'zapft is" again in Munich.