Wet Weather Woes Stall Thuringia Beer Garden's Kickoff
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Inclement weather hinders commencement of beer gardens' operational period. - Adverse weather conditions put pressure on outdoor beer-drinking venues
The debut of Thuringia's alfresco dining scene has had its ups and downs, mirroring the unpredictable weather recently. "At the beginning of May, beer garden proprietors were buoyed by optimism for a prosperous season, but alas, their hopes were cruelly dashed," laments Dirk Ellinger, CEO of Dehoga Thuringia, the Hotel and Restaurant Association. Whilst the odd warm day graced us, it wasn't sufficient to lure many patrons to the beer gardens.
The primary roadblock, aside from the nippy temperatures, was the harsh wind. Though less apparent in more secluded urban centers of major cities, the weather in rural areas and exposed locales was uninviting for outdoor revelry. "We're crossing our fingers for a sweltering June to recoup lost revenue," shares Ellinger.
Evading the VAT Tax is a glimmer of hope
Apart from the identical hurdles faced by other restaurateurs, including increased costs and staffing shortages, operators anticipate a tax reduction as well. Specifically, the beer garden trade yearns for a change in legal stipulations from daily maximum working hours to weekly maximum working hours. This alteration, according to the industry association's CEO, would enable operators to allocate staff more effectively, even during long, balmy summer evenings.
Could lemonades overshadow beer gardens?
Ellinger foresees a general shift in choices towards mixed drinks. However, there's a clear decline in beer consumption, tells Stephan Fischer from Borntal Steakhaus in Erfurt. This slip can be attributed to a growing sobriety in one's drinking habits.
Instead, homemade lemonades and other low-sugar concoctions are in higher demand, shares Fischer. "The price disparity compared to beer is no longer as significant, so many patrons prefer refreshing long drinks they might not prepare at home."
Steffi Herrmann from Restaurant Platzhirsch in Erfurt's Old Town concurs with this trend. "People increasingly appreciate a prime locale and superior gastronomic offerings."
In the city center, it's becoming increasingly challenging for restaurateurs to entice enough customers just a stone's throw away from the hotspots. As for beverage trends, cool summer drinks such as wine, beer, and mixed spritzers are becoming more popular.
The operators remain optimistic that decent weather will coax many patrons to the beer gardens. "People innately yearn for beer gardens. Following the harsh winter and atrocious weather, many are eager to once again bask outside," Fischer conjectures.
- Dirk Ellinger, CEO of Dehoga Thuringia, suggests a change in community policy to alter legal stipulations from daily maximum working hours to weekly maximum working hours, enabling beer garden operators to allocate staff more effectively during long, balmy summer evenings.
- Stephan Fischer from Borntal Steakhaus in Erfurt notes a growing preference for food-and-drink options like homemade lemonades and other low-sugar beverages, as contrasted with beer, due to a changing lifestyle and a desire for refreshing alternatives that are not significantly more expensive.
- In city centers, restaurant operators are adapting to the challenge of attracting customers, with a focus on offering a prime lifestyle experience and superior home-and-garden amenities to complement their food-and-drink offerings. Outdoor-living options, such as cool summer beverages like wine, beer, and mixed spritzers, are becoming more popular as patrons long to bask in the warmth and enjoy the alfresco dining scene.
