Oktoberfest beer price hike
June 15, 2015
Over 10 euros ($11,25) for a liter of beer - that's a price mark up of over three percent on last year. And well above the German Bundesbank's predicted inflation rate of 0.5 percent. Lemonade and water will also be more expensive. Beer sellers at the world's largest funfair had Munich city hall sign off on this hefty price hike.
They justify the price hike with the recent introduction of a minimum wage and the price increase on ingredients needed to produce beer. At least the beer sold at the Wiesn', the local name given to the folk festival, is more potent than standard brews. Beer in pubs in the Bavarian capital will not be much cheaper - after all, Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany.
Last year, more than seven million liters of beer flowed from the kegs in the tents on the Theresienwiese. This year the Oktoberfest, which originated in 1810 as a festive horserace where beer was sold to mark the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, will be taking place from September 19 until October 4. 20 years ago, a liter of beer cost half of what it does today.
ot/ak/sc (dpa/br/Oktoberfest)