FOOD AND DRINK
Eating and Drinking are what you have to do at some point over the four days, you have multiple options but when you find the time is
another matter. Food is available at most venues, beer and drink is available at all the venues.
BUYING A DRINK AND 'PFAND' EXPLAINED
At some stage you will end up buy a drink at one of the venues, where the bar is permanent you will find a selection of drinks, at other
venues like the Agra Halle 2 you will find a limited selection of drinks at makeshift bars. When you order your drink you will find that you
are charged a small fee of 2 Euro's for each beaker/glass, this fee is called a ‘pfand’ (or Pledge), a notice should be displayed behind
the bar with this cost displayed. When you return your beaker/glass you will receive 2 Euro's in exchange for every beaker/glass that you
return (keep an eye out for unclaimed beakers/glasses and return them for a few extra Euro's). Restaurants and clubs that serve using
proper glasses will not normally charge the pfand fee. At some venues you may also receive a token or a ticket, this must be returned
with your beaker/glass to receive your money back (this is done to stop entrepreneurs from buying loads of empty beaker/glasses and
making a fortune on returns), this practice is typical at Parkbuhne. In my opinion this is one of the best rules of any festival, it solves the
problem of empty beakers/glasses as you are forced to take them back to where you got them, hence there is very little litter and the
place feels much cleaner for it (I just wish they would do the same in the UK).
German Beer is (in my opinion) the best in the world, brewed under the 1516 Purity Law (see below), drink it either in its light or dark
form (known in this part of German as Schwarzbier (black beer), or Dunkel (dark beer)in other parts). Coca Cola can be a pain in the
arse to order, don’t ask for ‘Coke’ (unless you want a line of white powder) it’s generally called ‘Cola’, nothing that important until you try
to get a drink. In my opinion the Dark beer tastes better and is far smoother (the difference is all to do with the Malt that is added, dark
beer has natural dark malt, while the light beer has refined malt making it light, well its probably far more complicated than that). Most
spirits are available at most bars (although it is quite common for spirits to be sold at different bars to the beer).
If you get the chance you might want to find a local bar and try the local 'Gose' Beer. Gose is a top-fermented wheat beer, sometimes
including oats, with added coriander and salt. The inclusion of coriander and salt is contrary to the excessively strict beer purity law
("Reinheitsgebot") but as the law was a Bavarian one and Gose originated outside Bavaria, this wasn't a problem until the unification of
Germany and the wider application of the Reinheitsgebot. Gose was traditionally spontaneously fermented, like Belgian lambic ales or
Berliner Weisse, with fermentation being initiated by natural wild yeasts carried in the air, instead of the addition of particular strains of
yeast but today's brewers use their own yeasts. Gose is traditionally bottled in a flattish, near semicircular bottle, with a tall, narrow
neck. The neck was designed to trap the foam of fermentation and thus produce a natural bung.
At WGT 2008 we held a pre WGT meeting at Bayerische Bahnhof bar and resturant, and I had my first chance to test 'Gose' Beer. In my
opinion its rather mild in taste with a slight twang. It didnt inspire me to order another when there are so many other fine beers on offer.
For more information http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/gose.html
German Beer Purity Law from 1516
The Complete Reinheitsgebot Text Translated
How beer is to be brewed and served throughout the duchy in Summer and Winter.
We hereby proclaim and decree, by Authority of our Province, that henceforth in the Duchy of Bavaria, in the country as well as in the
cities and marketplaces, the following rules apply to the sale of beer: From Michaelmas to Georgi, the price for one Mass [Bavarian Liter
1,069] or one Kopf [bowl-shaped container for fluids, not quite one Mass], is not to exceed one Pfennig Munich value, and From Georgi
to Michaelmas, the Mass shall not be sold for more than two Pfennig of the same value, the Kopf not more than three Heller [Heller
usually one-half Pfennig]. If this not be adhered to, the punishment stated below shall be administered.
Should any person brew, or otherwise have, other beer than March beer, it is not to be sold any higher than one Pfennig per Mass.
Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of
beer must be Barley, Hops and Water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance, shall be punished by the
Court authorities' confiscating such barrels of beer, without fail. Should, however, an innkeeper in the country, city or markets buy two or
three pails of beer (containing 60 Mass) and sell it again to the common peasantry, he alone shall be permitted to charge one Heller
more for the Mass of the Kopf, than mentioned above. Furthermore, should there arise a scarcity and subsequent price increase of the
barley (also considering that the times of harvest differ, due to location), WE, the Bavarian Duchy, shall have the right to order
curtailments for the good of all concerned.
FOOD
Eating at the festival is quite easy as most venues have food being sold at them. However the only venues I would advise eating at are
the Agra, Werk 2 and the Moritzbastei, all the others have food, or some approximation of what food should be.
At the Agra there are loads of stalls selling food, every thing from German food to Indian and Pizza and Pastas. If your going to the Agra
then get yourself outside and enjoy the good food being sold here (the pizza is particularly good, as are the Hot dogs with Onion
sprinkles, the ice cream is very good too).
At Werk 2 the barbecued sausages or Wurst’s are the best you will get, guaranteed to get you messy and bloody hot, however you will
go back for more. The Steak here is very good too, however it can be a little on the fatty side.
The Food at the Moritzbastei is excellent, and served well into the night. Join the queue and order as quickly as you can, it will sell out by
2am. The choice is normally very good with a full range of Vegetarian foods, the Chilli is particularly excellent.
Within the city there are numerous food shops and restaurants, take your pick. There are a few good Indians (although they do tend to
take their time serving you), Thai restaurants, Italians and of course good German restaurants. You won’t starve and you can eat just
about anything that you want should you have the time to even think about food. If you like fast food restaurants then I advise heading
over to the Hauptbahnhof, where you will find Pizza Hut, MacDonald's etc. The Bagel Shop seems to be popular too, sited opposite the
Hauptbahnhof down the side of the Seaside Park Hotel.
If you’re tired and want a very nice sit down meal then I highly recommend Auerbachs Keller the food is excellent and the setting is
wonderful. It is quite expensive, but well worth it. The notoriety of "Auerbachs Keller" is due to the Keller-scene from Goethe's "Faust"
and this explains why people will be taking pictures of the paintings on the wall. It’s quite hard to find down a small shopping arcade.
Faust - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
THE boy, Goethe, was a precocious youngster. At the early age of eight he had already acquired some knowledge of Greek, Latin,
French and Italian. He had likewise acquired from his mother the knack of story telling; and from a toy puppet show in his nursery his
first interest in the stage.
Goethe's early education was somewhat irregular and informal, and already he was marked by that apparent feeling of superiority that
stayed by him throughout his life. When he was about 16 he was sent to Leipzig, ostensibly to study law. He apparently studied more life
than law and put in his time expressing his reactions through some form of writing. On at least two occasions, this form was dramatic.
Finally, in 1770 Goethe went to Strasbourg, this time really intent on passing his preliminary examinations in law, and with the somewhat
more frivolous ambition of learning to dance. Along with his study of law, he studied art, music, anatomy and chemistry. A strong
friendship with the writer, Herder, was likewise no part of Goethe's experience at this time, a contact which was of considerable
importance in these formative years.
In 1771 Goethe returned to Frankfurt, nominally to practice law, but he was soon deep in work on what was to be his first dramatic
success, Götz von Berlichingen. While this was actually the story of a robber baron of the 16th century it really represented Goethe's
youthful protest against the established order and his demand for intellectual freedom. Its success made its hitherto unknown author the
literary leader of Germany.
Goethe's invitation in 1775 to the court of Duke Karl August at Weimar was a turning point in the literary life of Germany. He became
manager of the Court Theater, and interested himself in various other activities, so that for a period of some ten years not much actual
writing was done.
The writing of Faust, however, that best known of Goethe's works, extended over practically the whole of Goethe's literary life, a period of
57 years. It was finally finished when Goethe was 81. Faust is in reality a dramatic poem rather than a piece for the stage. While based
on the same legend as Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, it far transcends both its legendary source and the English play. The latter is little more
than a Morality illustrating the punishment of sin; Goethe's work is a drama of redemption.
Eating and Drinking are what you have to do at some point over the four days, you have multiple options but when you find the time is
another matter. Food is available at most venues, beer and drink is available at all the venues.
BUYING A DRINK AND 'PFAND' EXPLAINED
At some stage you will end up buy a drink at one of the venues, where the bar is permanent you will find a selection of drinks, at other
venues like the Agra Halle 2 you will find a limited selection of drinks at makeshift bars. When you order your drink you will find that you
are charged a small fee of 2 Euro's for each beaker/glass, this fee is called a ‘pfand’ (or Pledge), a notice should be displayed behind
the bar with this cost displayed. When you return your beaker/glass you will receive 2 Euro's in exchange for every beaker/glass that you
return (keep an eye out for unclaimed beakers/glasses and return them for a few extra Euro's). Restaurants and clubs that serve using
proper glasses will not normally charge the pfand fee. At some venues you may also receive a token or a ticket, this must be returned
with your beaker/glass to receive your money back (this is done to stop entrepreneurs from buying loads of empty beaker/glasses and
making a fortune on returns), this practice is typical at Parkbuhne. In my opinion this is one of the best rules of any festival, it solves the
problem of empty beakers/glasses as you are forced to take them back to where you got them, hence there is very little litter and the
place feels much cleaner for it (I just wish they would do the same in the UK).
German Beer is (in my opinion) the best in the world, brewed under the 1516 Purity Law (see below), drink it either in its light or dark
form (known in this part of German as Schwarzbier (black beer), or Dunkel (dark beer)in other parts). Coca Cola can be a pain in the
arse to order, don’t ask for ‘Coke’ (unless you want a line of white powder) it’s generally called ‘Cola’, nothing that important until you try
to get a drink. In my opinion the Dark beer tastes better and is far smoother (the difference is all to do with the Malt that is added, dark
beer has natural dark malt, while the light beer has refined malt making it light, well its probably far more complicated than that). Most
spirits are available at most bars (although it is quite common for spirits to be sold at different bars to the beer).
If you get the chance you might want to find a local bar and try the local 'Gose' Beer. Gose is a top-fermented wheat beer, sometimes
including oats, with added coriander and salt. The inclusion of coriander and salt is contrary to the excessively strict beer purity law
("Reinheitsgebot") but as the law was a Bavarian one and Gose originated outside Bavaria, this wasn't a problem until the unification of
Germany and the wider application of the Reinheitsgebot. Gose was traditionally spontaneously fermented, like Belgian lambic ales or
Berliner Weisse, with fermentation being initiated by natural wild yeasts carried in the air, instead of the addition of particular strains of
yeast but today's brewers use their own yeasts. Gose is traditionally bottled in a flattish, near semicircular bottle, with a tall, narrow
neck. The neck was designed to trap the foam of fermentation and thus produce a natural bung.
At WGT 2008 we held a pre WGT meeting at Bayerische Bahnhof bar and resturant, and I had my first chance to test 'Gose' Beer. In my
opinion its rather mild in taste with a slight twang. It didnt inspire me to order another when there are so many other fine beers on offer.
For more information http://www.germanbeerguide.co.uk/gose.html
German Beer Purity Law from 1516
The Complete Reinheitsgebot Text Translated
How beer is to be brewed and served throughout the duchy in Summer and Winter.
We hereby proclaim and decree, by Authority of our Province, that henceforth in the Duchy of Bavaria, in the country as well as in the
cities and marketplaces, the following rules apply to the sale of beer: From Michaelmas to Georgi, the price for one Mass [Bavarian Liter
1,069] or one Kopf [bowl-shaped container for fluids, not quite one Mass], is not to exceed one Pfennig Munich value, and From Georgi
to Michaelmas, the Mass shall not be sold for more than two Pfennig of the same value, the Kopf not more than three Heller [Heller
usually one-half Pfennig]. If this not be adhered to, the punishment stated below shall be administered.
Should any person brew, or otherwise have, other beer than March beer, it is not to be sold any higher than one Pfennig per Mass.
Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of
beer must be Barley, Hops and Water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance, shall be punished by the
Court authorities' confiscating such barrels of beer, without fail. Should, however, an innkeeper in the country, city or markets buy two or
three pails of beer (containing 60 Mass) and sell it again to the common peasantry, he alone shall be permitted to charge one Heller
more for the Mass of the Kopf, than mentioned above. Furthermore, should there arise a scarcity and subsequent price increase of the
barley (also considering that the times of harvest differ, due to location), WE, the Bavarian Duchy, shall have the right to order
curtailments for the good of all concerned.
FOOD
Eating at the festival is quite easy as most venues have food being sold at them. However the only venues I would advise eating at are
the Agra, Werk 2 and the Moritzbastei, all the others have food, or some approximation of what food should be.
At the Agra there are loads of stalls selling food, every thing from German food to Indian and Pizza and Pastas. If your going to the Agra
then get yourself outside and enjoy the good food being sold here (the pizza is particularly good, as are the Hot dogs with Onion
sprinkles, the ice cream is very good too).
At Werk 2 the barbecued sausages or Wurst’s are the best you will get, guaranteed to get you messy and bloody hot, however you will
go back for more. The Steak here is very good too, however it can be a little on the fatty side.
The Food at the Moritzbastei is excellent, and served well into the night. Join the queue and order as quickly as you can, it will sell out by
2am. The choice is normally very good with a full range of Vegetarian foods, the Chilli is particularly excellent.
Within the city there are numerous food shops and restaurants, take your pick. There are a few good Indians (although they do tend to
take their time serving you), Thai restaurants, Italians and of course good German restaurants. You won’t starve and you can eat just
about anything that you want should you have the time to even think about food. If you like fast food restaurants then I advise heading
over to the Hauptbahnhof, where you will find Pizza Hut, MacDonald's etc. The Bagel Shop seems to be popular too, sited opposite the
Hauptbahnhof down the side of the Seaside Park Hotel.
If you’re tired and want a very nice sit down meal then I highly recommend Auerbachs Keller the food is excellent and the setting is
wonderful. It is quite expensive, but well worth it. The notoriety of "Auerbachs Keller" is due to the Keller-scene from Goethe's "Faust"
and this explains why people will be taking pictures of the paintings on the wall. It’s quite hard to find down a small shopping arcade.
Faust - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
THE boy, Goethe, was a precocious youngster. At the early age of eight he had already acquired some knowledge of Greek, Latin,
French and Italian. He had likewise acquired from his mother the knack of story telling; and from a toy puppet show in his nursery his
first interest in the stage.
Goethe's early education was somewhat irregular and informal, and already he was marked by that apparent feeling of superiority that
stayed by him throughout his life. When he was about 16 he was sent to Leipzig, ostensibly to study law. He apparently studied more life
than law and put in his time expressing his reactions through some form of writing. On at least two occasions, this form was dramatic.
Finally, in 1770 Goethe went to Strasbourg, this time really intent on passing his preliminary examinations in law, and with the somewhat
more frivolous ambition of learning to dance. Along with his study of law, he studied art, music, anatomy and chemistry. A strong
friendship with the writer, Herder, was likewise no part of Goethe's experience at this time, a contact which was of considerable
importance in these formative years.
In 1771 Goethe returned to Frankfurt, nominally to practice law, but he was soon deep in work on what was to be his first dramatic
success, Götz von Berlichingen. While this was actually the story of a robber baron of the 16th century it really represented Goethe's
youthful protest against the established order and his demand for intellectual freedom. Its success made its hitherto unknown author the
literary leader of Germany.
Goethe's invitation in 1775 to the court of Duke Karl August at Weimar was a turning point in the literary life of Germany. He became
manager of the Court Theater, and interested himself in various other activities, so that for a period of some ten years not much actual
writing was done.
The writing of Faust, however, that best known of Goethe's works, extended over practically the whole of Goethe's literary life, a period of
57 years. It was finally finished when Goethe was 81. Faust is in reality a dramatic poem rather than a piece for the stage. While based
on the same legend as Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, it far transcends both its legendary source and the English play. The latter is little more
than a Morality illustrating the punishment of sin; Goethe's work is a drama of redemption.
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RESTAURANTS
There is a greater variety of restaurants in Leipzig than ever before: all tastes are catered for, offering everything from local dishes to,
Chinese, Italian and American Since 1990, the number of restaurants has risen from 174 to 400. If all cafés and restaurants eateries
are included in the count, from the Nobel Restaurant to ice-cream parlours, there are 900 to choose from, many of which are located in
the city centre or along the so-called “Südmeile” or “Southern Mile”.
Leipzig’s restaurants includes famous names such as the "Auerbach’s Keller" which was the setting for a scene from Goethe’s "Faust"
and "Zum Arabischen Coffebaum", where Goethe, Lessing, Wagner and Schumann drank their "Scheelchen Heeßen" (a type of coffee
which is special to Saxony).
Sued Brause: Cafe/Restaurant
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 154 (Just outside Werk II)
An excellent Restaurant located just outside Werk II, a great place to get a meal and a beer on WGT Thursday afternoon/evening just
before getting your ticket and wristbands. The menu is in German, so you will need to know a few words, the staff speak good English
so you can always ask if you are unsure about words on the menu. They sell some great pasta dishes. If the weather is sunny then you
can sit outside and watch the trams full of Goths turn up. Toilets are downstairs. I believe the name has changed.
Review by Sadgoth
Zest: Vegan/Vegitarian Restaurant
bornaische strasse 54 (near to Werk II)
all menu items including specials, starters, main dishes and desserts are free from animal products, excluding the listed cheese.
Whether or not you are living the daily vegan/vegetarian life or just being introduced to this style of cooking, eating and the philosophy
behind it – we hope to bring our ideas of internationally inspired meatless dishes to you in a relaxed atmosphere. For us this includes
preparing all our dishes as fresh as possible. Including the hand made production of all our sauces, different breads and all patisserie,
as well as creating new dishes, that change monthly.
bon appetit, zest
Review from Zest Website
For more information on Restaurants / Cafés and Bars see this German Website
http://www.leipzigtagundnacht.de/
There is a greater variety of restaurants in Leipzig than ever before: all tastes are catered for, offering everything from local dishes to,
Chinese, Italian and American Since 1990, the number of restaurants has risen from 174 to 400. If all cafés and restaurants eateries
are included in the count, from the Nobel Restaurant to ice-cream parlours, there are 900 to choose from, many of which are located in
the city centre or along the so-called “Südmeile” or “Southern Mile”.
Leipzig’s restaurants includes famous names such as the "Auerbach’s Keller" which was the setting for a scene from Goethe’s "Faust"
and "Zum Arabischen Coffebaum", where Goethe, Lessing, Wagner and Schumann drank their "Scheelchen Heeßen" (a type of coffee
which is special to Saxony).
Sued Brause: Cafe/Restaurant
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 154 (Just outside Werk II)
An excellent Restaurant located just outside Werk II, a great place to get a meal and a beer on WGT Thursday afternoon/evening just
before getting your ticket and wristbands. The menu is in German, so you will need to know a few words, the staff speak good English
so you can always ask if you are unsure about words on the menu. They sell some great pasta dishes. If the weather is sunny then you
can sit outside and watch the trams full of Goths turn up. Toilets are downstairs. I believe the name has changed.
Review by Sadgoth
Zest: Vegan/Vegitarian Restaurant
bornaische strasse 54 (near to Werk II)
all menu items including specials, starters, main dishes and desserts are free from animal products, excluding the listed cheese.
Whether or not you are living the daily vegan/vegetarian life or just being introduced to this style of cooking, eating and the philosophy
behind it – we hope to bring our ideas of internationally inspired meatless dishes to you in a relaxed atmosphere. For us this includes
preparing all our dishes as fresh as possible. Including the hand made production of all our sauces, different breads and all patisserie,
as well as creating new dishes, that change monthly.
bon appetit, zest
Review from Zest Website
For more information on Restaurants / Cafés and Bars see this German Website
http://www.leipzigtagundnacht.de/
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