#7: Karl Maier - The Göckelesmaier. This Stuttgart beer festival is maybe the best party in Germany
The Göckelesmaier, known affectionately by some as the “chicken tent,” is an institution in Stuttgart, Germany. Stuttgart is home to two enormous beer festivals, one in the spring and one in the fall. Since 1998, Karl Maier and his wife Daniella have led their family business, which launched in the 1950s. Our conversation, which was recorded in 2021, covers the history of the Göckelesmaier, its evolution, and some of the unique and delicious aspects of German harvest festival culture. So go grab a liter of beer and listen up. Prost, zum Wohl, Cheers. I hope you enjoy.
Karl Maier
The Göckelesmaier
What is the largest, funnest, and best spring festival in Europe? It happens to be the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) in Stuttgart, Germany. Who operates the best tent at the Frühlingsfest? Many believe it’s Karl Maier of the Göckelesmaier.
Do you love big beers and a welcoming, jubilant atmosphere that is also family friendly? Then the Frühlingsfest is for you. This massive party flies under the radar for many international tourists, which makes it feel even more special and exclusive.
The Frühlingsfest is still a best kept secret unfamiliar to most tourists.
Stuttgart’s neighbor to the east, Munich, gets most of the fame and glory for its legendary Oktoberfest (held for three weeks in late September and October). But believe it or not, Stuttgart far outshines its Bavarian sister in April and May every year, despite the fact that Munich has its own competing version of the Frühlingsfest. Take note that Stuttgart also has its version of Oktoberfest, called the Cannstatter Wasen or Volksfest (the meadow of Cannstatt, or People’s Festival).
In this episode we dive deeply with Karl Maier, who took over his family festival business a few decades ago and transformed it into a modern, stylish brand. Not exactly what you would imagine for a beer tent, but just spend a few minutes speaking with Karl - and visit the tent - and you can immediately appreciate the thoughtful blend of “full gas” party fun with a touch of modern style, elegance, and refinement. It makes for a very enjoyable day and night of drinking beer and eating chicken. Enjoy.
LINKS
Interview with:
Karl Maier (Region Stuttgart)
USEFUL LINKS:
Der Aufbau (the construction): Tent Construction: Göckelsmaier - Behind the Scenes
Music:
7Promille Party Band at the Göckelesmaier Wasen 2019
Partyfürsten at the Göckelesmaier Wasen 2019
7Promille Party Band at the Göckelesmaier Frühlingsfest 2016
Lollies at the Göckelesmaier Wasen 2012 (Tage Wie Diese / “Days Like These”)
Schwäbische “Tracht” (Swabian traditional dress/costume): Krueger
Bavarian Tracht: Angermaier
Beer: Stuttgarter Hofbräu (pronounced HOF-broy, with a long “o” as in oak, or smoke, not a short “o” like otter)
Beer: Wulle (pronounced VOO-luh), a Stuttgart beer founded in 1823 with strong kult following and now part of the larger Dinkelacker brand, which also includes Schwabenbräu (SHVA-BEN-broy, with a long “a” as in swan or all) and Sandwald (ZAND-vald, also with long “a” sounds) hefeweizen (“yeast wheat” = wheat beer)
Beer Fürstenberg (translated: mountain of the prince), a regional brewery from Donaueschingen founded in 1283
Food: Linsen und Spätzle (LIN-zen unt SPETZ-lay), lentils and Schwäbisch noodles
Food: Gaisburger Marsch (GUYS-boor-ger MARSH), a hearty beef stew with spätzle
Food: Zwiebelrostbraten (TSVEE-bell ROAST-braten), steak with onions
Food: Maultaschen (MOWL-tash-en, with an “o” as in owl), basically Schwäbisch raviolis, traditionally filled with meat but can be vegetarian. The noodle is intended to hide the meat from God on holy days)
Food: Schupfnudeln (SHOOPF-nood-eln), which are thick noodle like dumplings
SHOW NOTES
[00:00:50] The return of big beer festivals
[00:04:15] Background of the Maier family business, from ice cream, to bratwurst, to rotisserie chickens, with the support of the famous Ammer family in Munich.
[00:10:05] 25,000 roasted chickens sold in three weeks
[00:12:30] The incredible engineering behind beer fest tents; introducing refined wood finishings, chandeliers, sophisticated lighting schemes, and bars that serve cocktails
[00:16:10] The design concept for the Göckelesmaier; fans of architecture and graphic design; incorporating designs they appreciate during their travels
[00:19:28] What to wear to the bierfest: “tracht”, lederhosen and dirndls.
[00:22:30] Ernte Dankfest (Harvest Festival) - the historical basis for these beer festivals was to celebrate the agricultural sector, showcase new technologies, and celebrate the seasons.
[00:24:13] Your chances of getting into the tent are higher if you wear traditional dress
[00:27:32] 250,000 liters of beer over three weeks. While impressive, this is still only a fraction the amount of beer served during Oktoberfest. But Stuttgart offers more variety, such as wine, cocktails, mixed drinks, and soft drinks.
[00:30:01] Overcoming the pandemic - more than two years without any income. Thoughts on how to keep loyal staff engaged and supported via “Kurzarbeit” (short work).
[00:33:18] Insight into places that are worth visiting from an architectural and design perspective: London, New York, Chicago (Mies van der Rohe), Paris, Barcelona, and all of Italy.
[00:37:50] Beer or wine? The answer is beer, but when drinking wine, Karl prefers German wines. It is a personal priority to buy locally and support local businesses.
[00:40:35] Which beers are carried by the Göckelesmaier tent? Wulle, Stuttgarter Hofbrau, and other local breweries.
[00:42:15] How does one become a tent owner and exhibitioner? “Zulassungs-Richtlinien” - Constitution for the Cannstatter Wasen. Every brewery that sits in the Stuttgart region has the right to put up a tent: Hofbrau, Dinkelacher, Schwaben Brau. One Landbauerie (brewery from the nearer region) is added: Fürstenberg from Donau-Eschingen. The other “independent” tents are provided by a 5-year license through a formal review process: Göckelesmaier, Sonja Merz. The independent tents pick a brewery to work with.
[00:46:20] Could the Göckelesmaier work in other countries? Inquiries are frequent, but it would be very difficult to maintain authenticity, quality, and brand protection.
[00:50:05] The beer tent is a societal melting pot where everyone comes together.
[00:55:30] - If forced to choose a single cuisine, if not Schwäbisch cuisine, then Italian. Swabian cuisine is special: Linsen und spätzle mit Saitenwürstle - not fancy, but great comfort food; Gaisburger Marsch; Maultaschen; Schupfnudeln.
[00:58:12] The way ahead is to start again post pandemic. People will want to return to large public gatherings again, but it may take a little time.
