This is an outrage, in my opinion.

Quote:
8 March 2005

MUNICH – Plans to introduce sturdy plastic beer mugs at this year’s Oktoberfest have triggered outrage in Munich, with a spokesman for city breweries saying the clink of glass against glass was the essence of the world’s biggest beer festival.
Ludwig Hagn, operator of the Loewenbraeu tent, said earlier he had been so impressed at the plastic mugs used in the Moscow version of Oktoberfest that he would be trying out the same in Munich.

They not only meant less broken glass, but were also lighter to carry for the serving staff who often heft 10 or more of the 1-litre glass steins at a time.

Speaking from my own personal experience… part of the deep pleasure of the Munich Oktoberfest is the feat of it: the Titanic Hofbrau hangovers, the human wreckage on chicken-hill, the per capita eaten-beast-count, and the stench of clothing soaked repeatedly by hoppy Bavarian beer. Surviving is one thing, but savoring the battle is a higher level of the appreciation entirely.

Part and parcel with this experience is the drinking vessel itself and its inherent qualities. Ask the Scots about the significance of their beloved An Quaich (the traditional Scottish drinking vessel) to the traditions of Scotch-drinking. Canadian Marshall McLuhan said famously, “The medium is the message.” I would argue that in this case, the vessel is the experience; the weight of the Maß, the bruising that occurs across the knuckle of the forefinger from repeated hoisting, the power with which one can ‘cheers’ his fellow revelers, and the lopsided muscle development in one’s drinking arm – these are the trials of the ‘stein-hoister.’ And of course, how can one replace that added thrill of knowing that at any moment, someone’s Maß may succumb, smashing to bits during its final verse of ‘Ein Prosit’ dumping its contents upon nearby, unsuspecting merry-makers who in all likelihood will welcome the shower!

This, presumably, is economically replaceable by a plastic solution. Funny really… in the English language we use the word, “plastic” euphemistically to describe something fake. I believe that here, Mr. Hagn can achieve no more than a plastic replica of the real experience of Oktoberfest. The proof is in the pudding though, they say.

Perhaps I’m old-fashioned, but I like to feel substance in what you buy. I prefer the deep clunk of two Maß to the dainty chime of stemware anyday. Ask those poor folks in Kitchener-Waterloo (the world’s 2nd largest Oktoberfest) if they like their brew served in 12 Oz. disposable, plastic “I Am Canadian” cups. Anyone who’s ever been to the Munich ‘fest turns their noses up to the idea before grudgingly coveting their thimble of grog.

Like the old man and his Buick, will the 1L glass stein be with me – a relic of my time? Am I already a relic?

I say NO, my friends. And to those Munich’ers and Wiesen-goers of 2005 I say BOYCOTT the Lowebrau tent and smash a stein for Beer Team Canada! Immediately afterward… find one of these plastic imposters baring the Lowebrau logo, and keep it. I’m sure after this experiment, they will be a collector’s item.

Paulaner #666

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