Alcohol-free biergarten opens in Munich, the heartland of German beer

Munich, famed worldwide for its cheery biergartens, now has one that only serves alcohol-free drinks as Die Null (The Zero) opens to visitors.

After all, you don't need beer containing alcohol to enjoy all that makes a biergarten good, say the operators who point out that the joy of the occasion lies in sitting together outdoors, not necessarily drinking alcohol.

On the menu are mocktails - alcohol-free cocktails - juice and other cold refreshments, alongside zero-alcohol beer.

Located near the main train station, it will be close to Munich's many other biergartens and will offer cultural events and parties.

Die Null is open from 5 pm until 10 pm from Wednesdays to Saturdays, weather permitting, and visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere until September.

More and more Germans are embracing alcohol-free beers and many more varieties are available than in the past, from local brews to offerings from the major brewing companies.

That popularity is partly thanks to brewers who are putting great deal of scientific and technological effort into improving the tate of zero-alcohol beer, says Walter K?nig, chief of the Bavarian Brewers' Association.

Generally, he is a fan of offering a full range of drinks but data shows people in Germany have a growing thirst for alcohol-free beer.

And brewers are taking note, having produced 471,300 hectolitres of beer without alcohol, including malt beverages, in the first quarter of this year, around 44,500 hectolitres more than in the same period in 2023. Of that, some 60% was non-alcoholic wheat beer and a further quarter was lager.

Die Null is also part of efforts by Munich to revitalize parts of the city.

The Association for the Preservation of Bavarian Economic Culture, is in favour. Any initiative that revitalizes the pub landscape is a good one, says managing director Ursula Zimmermann, though she adds that no one is forced to consume alcohol in other beer gardens either.