Germany cancels Oktoberfest for 2nd year over virus fears
Bavarian officials have canceled Oktoberfest festivities for a second year in a row due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, saying that there are too many risks in hosting the celebrations, which traditionally bring in visitors from around the world, during a global pandemic.
German beer sales suffer as virus restrictions bite
Official data show that beer sales in Germany were down 5.5 percent last year, dragged lower by lengthy closures of bars and restaurants in the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, file)BERLIN โ Beer sales in Germany were down 5.5% last year, dragged lower by lengthy closures of bars and restaurants in the coronavirus pandemic, official data showed Monday. That figure doesn't include alcohol-free beer or beer imported from outside the European Union. German beer sales have been declining for years as a result of health concerns and other factors. Exports to other countries in the EU dropped 13.1% to 778.2 million liters (206 million gallons) while those to nations elsewhere were up 3.7% to 725.3 million liters (192 million gallons).
Tasty Tuesday: 7 Dogs Brewpub a cornerstone for both human and humanโs best friend
WYTHEVILLE, Va. โ Nelson Tidwell is used to giving life to those that need it, including the seven dogs heโs rescued. Two years ago, a building across from the courthouse in Wytheville was about to be done away with. The chef will make the dog biscuits from the kitchen.โProving that even manโs best friend could use an escape right now. If these walls could talk, theyโd probably say the same things that his seven dogs have thought at one point. Tidwell says rescue dogs look up at you as if to say, โMy gosh, youโre the guy who saved me.โ
Germany pays tribute to victims of 1980 Oktoberfest bombing
BERLIN โ Senior officials and survivors paid tribute Saturday to the victims of a deadly neo-Nazi attack on Munichโs Oktoberfest 40 years ago, as Germanyโs president warned that far-right extremism remains a persistent problem in the country. The bombing on the evening of Sept. 26, 1980, claimed 13 lives, including that of three children and the attacker, student Gundolf Koehler, a supporter of a banned far-right group. โRight-wing extremism has deep roots in our society,โ President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at a memorial event in the Bavarian capital. Steinmeier said the perpetrators weren't โdisturbed people,โ but rather part of โnetworks that we need to investigate.โAn initial investigation of the Oktoberfest attack concluded that Koehler acted alone, out of personal frustration. Bavaria's governor, Markus Soeder, apologized to survivors and the victims' families for mistakes made during the initial investigation.
German prosecutors close probe of 1980 Oktoberfest bombing
BERLIN German prosecutors said Wednesday that they have closed their investigation into a deadly far-right attack on Munich's Oktoberfest in 1980, more than five years after they revived the probe in hopes that new testimony might point to previously unknown co-conspirators. Thirteen people were killed, including three children, and more than 200 wounded when a bomb exploded at the Oktoberfest on the evening of Sept. 26, 1980. But in December 2014, the federal prosecutor's office said it were looking at the matter again after a previously unknown witness surfaced. On Wednesday, federal prosecutors said the witness' indications that there may have been co-conspirators hadn't been corroborated by the renewed investigation. They said they had failed to find any other solid evidence that others may have participated as accessories, instigators or accomplices in Koehler's attack, though that possibility can't entirely be ruled out.
Hundreds lose driving licenses during Oktoberfest e-scooter mayhem
German police have revealed that hundreds of electric scooter users lost their driving licenses after riding while drunk at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich. (CNN) - German police have revealed that hundreds of electric scooter users lost their driving licenses after riding while drunk at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich. A total of 414 people were caught riding an e-scooter while under the influence, and 254 lost their driving licenses as a result, according to a police statement released Monday. This means that drink-driving laws apply to riders -- as some found out the hard way during the world's largest beer festival. E-scooters offer an affordable and quick way to make short trips in congested cities, much like bicycles, but without anyone breaking a sweat.
Oktoberfest in the Hill City
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Oktoberfest fun was all over Riverfront Park in Lynchburg on Saturday. The Water Dog and The Academy Center of the Arts partnered with Sierra Nevada to bring the event to the Hill City. There was authentic German food, beer, live music, costumes and more. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.
For the first time Oktoberfest coming to Lynchburg this weekend
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Time is running out to get tickets to the first of-its-kind of beer fest in Lynchburg. The Water Dog, and the Academy Center of Arts are partnering with Sierra Nevada to bring Oktoberfest to the Hill City at Riverfront Park. There will be German food, beer, music and a costume competition. Organizers want people to know the unique fest isn't just about the beer, but it's about experiencing the culture. For more information on how to get tickets, visit https://www.thewaterdog.com/oktoberfest-2019.
German court rules that hangovers are an illness
Isabella Mendes/Pexels(CNN) - Finally, the excuse employees around the world have used after a night of drunken antics is legit: A German court has ruled that hangovers are a disease. The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt made the decision in a case against an unnamed company that sold "anti-hangover" products. According to the court, any minor disturbance in the body's normal functioning is considered an illness. Therefore, the court ruled, a hangover is an illness. The company, then, cannot claim that its powders and shots can cure hangovers, the court ruled.
Google celebrates the start of Oktoberfest with a pretzel doodle
A salty, mouthwatering pretzel doodle is how Google is welcoming Oktoberfest, a 16-day celebration known as the Bavarian fall festival. (Google)(CNN) - A salty, mouthwatering pretzel doodle is how Google is welcoming Oktoberfest, a 16-day celebration known as the Bavarian fall festival. Today's especially delicious doodle is a short video tribute showing pretzel dough being transformed into the golden knotted treats so many people know and love. "Today's Doodle, freshly baked by Esther's German Bakery, celebrates the one and only pretzel one of the world's most versatile and beloved foods!" "As Oktoberfest, the Bavarian fall festival, begins today, Brotfrauen (or bread ladies) will be carrying baskets of chewy Brezeln through Bierhallen (massive tents) in Germany, the center of Oktoberfest revelry."
New Oktoberfest coming to Vinton
VINTON, Va. - The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Big Lick Entertainment are teaming up to host the area's first-ever Oktoberfest. The festival will happen alongside the annual Vinton Fall Festival. The Fall Festival has been going on for 17 years and attracts 10,000 people annually. Organizers said Oktoberfest will be an exciting twist to bring even more people downtown. The free fun kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.After the festival, the fun continues behind Twin Creeks Brewing Company for its first ever Rocktober-fest.