Beer garden
|
A typical beer garden in Munich |
A
beer garden is an open-air area where alcohol is legally served. The beer garden is attached to a drinking establishment such as a
public house or a German beer hall, which in places like
Munich may serve large numbers of customers.
Beer gardens in Germany developed in Bavaria in the
19th century, during which
top-fermented beer was predominant. According to a
decree by King
Ludwig I, this had to be brewed during the cold months, since the
fermentation had to take place at temperatures between four and eight degrees
Celsius. In order to provide this beer during the summer, large breweries dug beer cellars in the banks of the river
Isar, which allowed them to keep the beer cool. In order to further reduce the cellar temperature, the banks were covered in gravel and
chestnut trees were planted, since their leaves provided good shade in summer.
Soon after, the beer cellars were used not only to store but also to serve the beer. Simple tables and benches were set up among the trees, and soon the beer gardens were a popular venue for the citizens of
Munich. This aggrieved the smaller breweries that remained in Munich. In order to prevent the further loss of customers, they petitioned Ludwig I to forbid that the beer cellars surrounding Munich to serve food. Thus, the patrons had to bring their own food.
This decree is no longer in force, and many beer gardens do serve food today, but many beer gardens still allow their patrons to bring their own food. The latter beer gardens are called
traditional beer gardens. In summer, these are a cheap and convenient way of eating out under chestnut trees in the shade, avoiding expensive restaurants in the upscale city of Munich and have become an important part of life for many citizens. The
Biergärten have developed their own food culture, which typically features
Radi (
Radish),
Brezen, and
Obatzda. If one chooses to buy food on site, another classic is
Hoibe Hendl (half a grilled chicken).
The
Waldwirtschaft near
Pullach and the
Kugler-Alm, both of which claim to have invented
Radler, are among the oldest Munich beer gardens. The largest
traditional beer garden in the world is the
Hirschgarten in Munich.
Many countries around the world have drinking establishments with an attached beer garden. In
Austria, the beer garden is called
Gastgarten (guest garden). In Japan, outdoor beer gardens are enjoying increasing popularity.
*
Public house*
Schanigarten*
London beer gardens*
New York beer gardens*
Bavarian Beer Garden Regulations (PDF-Document in German)
