Germany: This year’s Oktoberfest to charge more for beer

Munich’s Oktoberfest will charge 2.5 percent more for beer this year on average, Bloomberg communicated on May, 26.

Breweries will charge between 8.30 euros and 8.90 euros for a liter, or “mass,” of beer at this year’s Oktoberfest from September, 18 to October, 4, the city of Munich has said on its website. Last year’s prices ranged from 8.10 euros to 8.60 euros.

The price increase defies near-zero inflation as the German economy struggles to grow. Still, the European debt crisis may ease the financial burden on Lederhosen-clad beer lovers exchanging dollars because the single currency has lost 16 percent of its value against dollar since Oktoberfest 2009.

Oktoberfest was first celebrated in 1810, to honor Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival was gradually moved into September to take advantage of the warmer weather. About 6.5 million litres of beer and 111 oxen were consumed at last year’s beer festival, which generated 800 million euros in revenue, according to the festival’s website.

28 May, 2010