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Wednesday, 19 August 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Reuters: The Oktoberfest is known for hearty food, pretty girls in even prettier dirndls (traditional dress), men in Lederhosen and of course beer. And the beer must be served in the ‘Mass”, the traditional Oktoberfest mug.
On Tuesday (18), the official mug for the Oktoberfest 2015 was presented by the cabaret artist André Hartmann. Designed by the artist Moritz Breitenhuber, the beer mug is the embodiment of the Oktoberfest. Decorated with colourful letters that spell the word ‘Oktoberfest’ and white beer-foam spilling over the upper letters, the mugs are already collectors items before they have even been used.
“Its colours are fresh and friendly. And I am very much convinced that we will sell it rather well,” said Oktoberfest publican Christian Schottenhammel. “We had some non-sellers before, especially dark colours which weren’t that liked. But colourful mugs always sell well.”
The city of Munich started in 1978 to issue a special mug for the Oktoberfest. Every year a different artist designs the motif. An Oktoberfest mug is worth at least several hundred euros, says the Oktoberfest-organizers, maybe even more.
“I have the entire range as of 1978 and I am very proud of it,” said Schottenhammel. “As we just have been told, it is already worth 2,000 euros. It certainly is a collector’s item. And everybody should buy one.”
But the most heatedly discussed issue is the price for what’s in the mugs. One litre of beer will set you back more than 10 euros this year. A price not too high, as far as Oktoberfest publican Peter Pongratz is concerned.
“Well, we have been discussing that a lot,” he told Reuters. “But considering the effort that goes into it (Oktoberfest) the prize of beer is alright. And there will be a small increase every year, but I believe as long as it stays within reason, than we can live with that. It is for alright, considering the effort that went into it and the fun the customer is going to have. Even if he has to pay more that 10 euros.”
The Oktoberfest is one of the biggest draws for tourists from all over the world, synonymous for many with Munich. The organizers expect last year’s number of 6.5 million visitors to be surpassed.
The Oktoberfest 2015 in Munich starts on 19 September and will finish on 4 October.
