Editing Beer garden

{{short description|Outdoor area in which beer, other drinks, and local food are served}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
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A '''beer garden''' (German: ''Biergarten'') is an outdoor area in which beer and food are served, typically at shared tables shaded by trees.

Beer gardens originated in [[Bavaria]], of which [[Munich]] is the capital city, in the 19th century, and remain common in [[Southern Germany]]. They are usually attached to a [[brewery]], [[beer hall]], [[Public house|pub]], or [[restaurant]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://thedrinknation.com/articles/read/7000-A-Brief-History-of-Beer-Gardens/|title= A Brief History of Beer Gardens |author=Dan Packel |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=27 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=wirts>{{cite web|url=http://www.munichbeergardens.com/Wirtsgarten|title=Munich Beer Gardens - Wirtsgarten |website=munichbeergardens.com|access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Rescript Max I. Joseph 1812-01-04.png|thumb|left|upright|Decree by King [[Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria]], dated 4 January 1812, allowing Munich brewers to serve beer from their cooling cellars, but no food other than bread]]

Facilities of this kind existed for example in Bamberg since 1605 under the German term [[:de:Bierkeller|"Bierkeller"]] ("Beer cellars"). At that time, the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bamberg|Archdiocese of Bamberg]] was directly subordinated to Rome and not yet to the [[Duchy of Bavaria]]. Hence, the first "Biergarten" in the strict sense of the term and of the decree of 1812 by the [[Kingdom of Bavaria]] developed at the beginning of 19th&nbsp;century in [[Munich]]. While it is unknown which brewery was first, it was likely one of Munich's big six: [[Löwenbräu]], [[Hofbräuhaus]], [[Augustinerbräu]], [[Paulaner]], [[Hacker-Pschorr]] and [[Spaten]].<ref name=Gemutlichkeit>{{cite web|url=http://allaboutbeer.com/article/gemutlichkeit/|title=Gemütlichkeit - All About Beer|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=5 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202015/http://allaboutbeer.com/article/gemutlichkeit/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Seasonal limitations on when beer could be brewed were already in the Bavarian brewing regulations by 1539. In 1553, Albert V decreed a period from 29 September, the [[Michaelmas|Feast of St. Michael]], to 23 April, the [[Saint George's Day|Feast of Saint George]], for its production. The cool seasons were chosen to minimize the risk of fire when boiling mashed grain into [[wort]]. Numerous conflagrations had occurred, which resulted in the prohibition of brewing during the summer months. In response, large breweries dug cellars in the banks of the River [[Isar]] to keep their beer cool during storage. "Beer cellars" for consuming beer on premises naturally followed.

[[File:Jan Steen (1)Wirtshausgarten.jpg|thumb|180px|Tavern Garden. Painting by [[Jan Steen]], {{Circa|1660}}]]
To further reduce the cellar temperature during the warm seasons, 19th-century brewers layered gravel upon the cellars by the bluffs and planted [[Aesculus hippocastanum|horse-chestnut trees]] for their dense spreading canopies and shallow roots, which would not damage the cellars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäffer |first=Albert |date=2012-05-21 |title=120 Minuten sind nicht genug |trans-title=120 minutes aren't enough |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/biergaerten-120-minuten-sind-nicht-genug-11759037.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]] |access-date=2016-10-11}}</ref> Soon afterward, serving cool beer in a pleasant shaded setting emerged. Simple tables and benches were set up among the trees, creating the popular "beer garden" that is known today. Food service followed, aggrieving smaller breweries that found it difficult to compete, and they petitioned Maximilian I to forbid it. As a compromise, beer gardens allowed their patrons to bring their own food, which is still a common practice. Most beer gardens offer clothed tablesets, whose guests must buy food from the house. Those who bring their own food must use the bare table sets, unless—which is common—they bring their own cloth(s) also. With the advent of widespread [[lager]]ing in the later 19th century, beer gardens grew more popular than ever.

Maximilian's decree is no longer in force, and many beer gardens forbid victuals not sold through the establishment. Common [[Bavarian cuisine|Bavarian fare]] such as ''Radi'' ([[radish]]), ''Brezn'' ([[pretzel|soft pretzel]]), ''[[Obatzda]]'' (cheese dip), ''halbes [[Hendl]]'' (half a grilled chicken), ''[[Hax'n]]'' (knuckle of pork), and ''[[Steckerlfisch]]'' (grilled fish) are often served. Equally important to the beer garden is an atmosphere of ''[[Gemütlichkeit]]'',<ref name=Gemutlichkeit /> conveying a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and belonging. Reinforced by shared tables, it is often accompanied by music, song, and fellowship among strangers.

That is so integral to beer garden culture that the ''Bayerische Biergartenverordnung'' (Bavarian Beer Garden Ordinance) of 1999 permits traditional tree shaded venues that allow their patrons to bring their own food to close later and exceed the noise limits that are otherwise in force.<ref>Bavarian Minister of the Environment and Health: ''[http://www.stmug.bayern.de/umwelt/laermschutz/recht/doc/biergart.pdf Bayerische Biergartenverordnung von 1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215114624/http://www.stmug.bayern.de/umwelt/laermschutz/recht/doc/biergart.pdf |date=2010-02-15}} (Bavarian beer garden decree of 1999)'' (German)</ref> The term ''Biergarten'' is not otherwise restricted, and anyone can call any kind of open-air restaurant by that name,{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} but purists{{who|date=July 2015}} distinguish between a ''Wirtsgarten'',<ref name=wirts /> in which only the brewery's food is sold (such as the outdoor tables at the [[Hofbräuhaus am Platzl]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munichbeergardens.com/Hofbr%C3%A4uhaus|title=Munich Beer Gardens - Hofbräuhaus|website=munichbeergardens.com |access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref> and a ''Biergarten'', in which patrons may bring their own.

==Around the world==
[[File:Pilgrim's Rest08.jpg|thumb|right|A beer garden in [[Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga|Pilgrim's Rest]], South Africa]]

The term "beer garden" (''Biergarten'') has become a generic term for open-air establishments where beer is served. Many countries have such establishments. The characteristics of a traditional beer garden include trees, wooden benches, a gravel bed, and freshly prepared meals. Some modern beer gardens use plastic chairs, fast food, and other variations of the traditional beer garden.

The largest traditional beer garden in the world is the [[Hirschgarten]] in [[Munich]], which seats 8,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hirschgarten.com/|title=Koeniglicher Hirschgarten Munich - restaurant - event location - beer garden - Muenchen - Bavaria - Germany|first=Herr Eichmeier|last=Johann|website=hirschgarten.com|access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref>

===Australia===
[[Australia]] has many beer gardens, typically as part of a pub, or often next to [[Pitch (sports field)|sports fields]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/the-best-beer-gardens-in-australia/story-e6frfq89-1226774335421 |work=[[News.com.au]]|title=The best beer gardens in Australia|date=23 January 2015|access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://craftypint.com/news/508/Australia-s-Best-Beer-Gardens|title=Australia's Best Beer Gardens|access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com.au/travel/articles/australias-11-best-summer-beer-gardens|title=Australia's 11 best summer beer gardens - MTV|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081404/http://www.mtv.com.au/travel/articles/australias-11-best-summer-beer-gardens|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Austria===
In [[Austria]], the beer garden is called ''Gastgarten'' (guest garden).
They serve food such as ''ein Paar Würstel'' (a pair of the German ''[[Bratwurst]]'') or ''Schweinebraten'' (German pot-roasted pork). When ordering beer, the choices are usually a ''Pfiff '' ({{cvt|0.2|L|disp=sqbr}}), a ''Seidel'' ({{cvt|0.3|L|disp=sqbr}}), or a ''Krügerl'' ({{cvt|0.5|L|disp=sqbr}}).

=== Canada ===
[[File:Beer-garden-6696.JPG|thumb|A beer garden in [[Churchill Square (Edmonton)|Churchill Square]] in Edmonton, Alberta, during the "Cariwest" Caribbean festival]]
Canada has traditionally lacked an outdoor eating culture conducive to beer gardens.  Cold weather and biting insects are part of the reason.  However, with increased urbanization during the 20th century, drinking at outdoor cafes and restaurant patios became more common. Such patios are usually attached to licensed establishments. They became particularly popular with smokers in the late 20th and early 21st century as smoking was prohibited in public indoor spaces, however as of {{year}} such bans have been expanded in most jurisdictions to cover licensed patios as well.

[[Alcoholic beverages in Canada#Legal issues|Canadian alcohol laws]] generally forbid drinking in unlicensed public places, although in recent years such policies have been relaxed in some jurisdictions. In Canada, beer gardens are generally a segregated area attached to an event such as a concert or festival. They may be outdoors and/or indoors, depending on the season and other circumstances. Eligibility for the specific license needed to operate such an event varies by jurisdiction, and is often effectively limited to non-profit organizations.

Despite the name, most beer gardens in Canada today serve other alcoholic beverages as well. Beer gardens are very popular at large sporting events such as the [[MasterCard Memorial Cup|Memorial Cup]] in hockey. It is usually illegal to remove alcohol from the area or bring in outside alcohol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcliquorstores.com/files/LDB_SOL_brochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602162242/http://www.bcliquorstores.com/files/LDB_SOL_brochure.pdf |title=Everything You Need to Know About Special Occasion Licenses |website=[[BC Liquor Stores]] |archive-date=2 June 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aglc.ca/pdf/Licences/SEL_PublicResaleCommunity_5268.pdf |title=Special Event License Public Resale - Community |website=[[Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission]] |access-date=2012-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016030404/http://aglc.ca/pdf/Licences/SEL_PublicResaleCommunity_5268.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Germany===
The words ‘beer garden’ derive from the German ‘Biergarten’, they are still a very common cultural aspect throughout Germany, where some of the world's oldest breweries are still active. The majority of towns and even villages have at least one small beer garden.  Larger cities will have many throughout its neighbourhoods, including some of the largest beer gardens in the world. The [[Hirschgarten]] restaurant in [[Munich]] is noted for its beer garden, which is possibly the largest in the world. It has seating for well over 8,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destination-munich.com/hirschgarten.html|title=Hirschgarten beer garden Munich|website=www.destination-munich.com|access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref> The restaurant dates back to 1791.

Biergartens typically are of a particular local or regional brewery, meaning they serve only the beers of the brewery they are associated with.
The world's oldest brewery, [[Weihenstephaner]] (estd. 1041) has its beer garden next to its brewing facility and the [[Technical University of Munich]], where a brewmaster degree is offered.

In 2011, the world record for 'The world's longest beer garden' was set in Berlin by the Berlin Beer Festival, measuring {{cvt|1820|m|ft}} long.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bierfestival-berlin.de/weltrekord.html |title=Internationales Berliner Bierfestival |publisher=Bierfestival-berlin.de |access-date=2015-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923012459/http://www.bierfestival-berlin.de/weltrekord.html |archive-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Japan===
Beer gardens are popular in Japan. Many are located on the roofs of department stores and hotels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1406_beer.html |title="Beer" – A Summer Necessity in Japan |publisher=Japan Monthly Web Magazine |access-date=16 September 2016 |archive-date=19 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919070356/http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1406_beer.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jpninfo.com/55740 |title=How Different are Japanese Beer Gardens From the Rest of the World? |publisher=Japan Info}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
[[File:The Black Horse pub, Chipping Barnet.JPG|thumb|right|A beer garden in England]]
In [[United Kingdom|Britain]] a beer garden is an open space which is attached to a [[pub]]. In the countryside they usually provide a surrounding view of the area; in towns and cities a beer garden is an open garden space.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/britains-best-beer-gardens-with-views/|title=17 of the most remarkable views from the UK's best beer gardens|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=11 September 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Pubs located along [[Canals of the United Kingdom|canals]] will usually have a canal-side beer garden. Many pubs compete throughout the year to be named 'Britain's best beer garden' in numerous awards. Some provide open air music, as well as food, beer and other drinks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/08/competition-britains-best-beer-garden/|title=Britains Best Beer Garden 2016|last=Nick|date=25 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/britains-best-beer-gardens-dctv5rmfs7h|title=Britain's best beer gardens|date=4 June 2006|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}</ref>

===United States===
[[File:Coasters Pub Biergarten, Indian Harbour Beach, FL.jpg|thumb|left|A beer garden at Coasters Pub, [[Indian Harbour Beach, Florida]]]]
In the United States, historically, beer gardens offered many pastimes besides just beer drinking. Some spots hosted shooting galleries, bowling alleys, and live classical music.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sismondo|first=Christine|title=America Walks into a Bar: A Spirited History of Taverns and Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops|url=https://archive.org/details/americawalksinto0000sism|url-access=registration|year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=USA|page=336|isbn=978-0-19-932448-4}}</ref> People could come for entertainment and events,<ref>{{cite web|last=Packel|first=Dan|title=A-Brief-History-of-Beer-Gardens|url=http://dc.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/7000-A-Brief-History-of-Beer-Gardens|publisher=Drink DC|access-date=13 March 2012}}</ref> even if they did not want to partake in the drinking. Today, many beer gardens have outdoor games, as well as board games, available to patrons.

The Raleigh Beer Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina holds the world record for largest selection of beer at a single location with 378 different beers on tap.<ref>[https://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/raleigh-beer-garden-largest-oktoberfest Raleigh's Record-Breaking Beer Garden Has 378 Unique Draft Taps, ''Travel & Leisure'', October 1, 2015]</ref>

American liquor laws condition how beer gardens can operate in each state (legal drinking age is 21). For example, Washington alcohol laws require organizers to apply for and receive a [[liquor license]], alcohol only to be consumed in the designated venue, the area to be fenced, and staff to "cut off" obviously drunk patrons.  Additional laws restrict alcohol-related signage associated with the event and prevent smoking in the beer garden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countonkitsap.org/Resources/GuidelinesBeerGardenBoH.pdf|title=Countonkitsap.org|website=www.countonkitsap.org|access-date=4 July 2017}}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Beer}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Drinking culture]]
* [[Hofbräuhaus am Platzl]]
* [[Hofbräukeller]]
* [[List of public house topics]]
* [[Ratskeller]]
* [[Oktoberfest]]
* [[Schanigarten]]
* [[Sidewalk cafe]]
* [[Weihenstephaner]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Beer gardens}}

{{Drinking establishments}}
{{Bartend}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Beer gardens| ]]
[[Category:German beer culture]]
[[Category:German cuisine]]
[[Category:Types of drinking establishment]]
[[Category:19th-century introductions]]
[[Category:Calques]]