Germany: Beer prices are to increase at Oktoberfest

In Germany, beer prices at Munich's annual Oktoberfest are on the rise by about 15 euro cents (19 U.S. cents) more than last year.

Organizers of the annual event said May 13 that the average price for a liter of beer inside the famed tents will break through the euro7 (US$8.84) barrier for the first time this year, rising to euro7.06 (US$8.92).

After surveying two dozen groups selling beer at the event in Munich this year, organizers found that they planned to charge between euro6.80 (US$8.59) and euro7.25 (US$9.16).

Beer isn't the only thing that's becoming more expensive. A liter of mineral water will cost, on average, about euro5.62 (US$7.10), a 7 euro cent (9 U.S. cent) increase. Soft drinks, including the popular cola-orange mix Spezi, will run at about euro6.59 (US$8.33), about 14 euro cents (18 U.S. cents) more.

This year's Oktoberfest, the 172nd, runs from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3.

14 May, 2005