European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 20, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                File Quot a regular meal Quot in a Mug by Steve Taylor Munich Bureau the brewing of Beer in Munich dates Back about 900 years and it has become a Staple in the daily diet of Many residents. For some the 9 . Coffee break could be called the morning Beer break. It is a not uncommon sight around the City. Quot a quart of Munich Beer is a regular meal Quot norwegian writer Knut Hamsun enthusiastically proclaimed after Downing a Mug of the famous brew. That holds True whether the time is late morning or late evening. The pronouncement has caught on and is now a common saying throughout Munich. It is indeed a Well known fact that Munich is sometimes known As the Beer capital of the world and its easy going lifestyle adds to the account. The products of Munich s breweries Are exported to More than 140 countries throughout the world. With six major breweries in Munich today More than 4,000 people Are employed in brewing some 135 million Gallons of Beer each year. Munich which has a 1,000-year history of brewing Beer also claims to have the oldest food Law on the books. The bavarian purity act of 1516 was passed by Duke Wilhelm a and was fils the packed grounds of the Theresie Wiese take on a carnival atmosphere. Intended to serve As the basis for the Quality of Munich Beer. According to this Law which still applies Only Barley hops yeast and water May be used to brew Beer. Beer has such a Strong hold on Munich that even its year is divided into Quot Beer seasons Quot beginning in March with the Starkie Zeit or Quot dark Beer  this Strong Beer packs an alcohol Content of up to 9 percent. Different Beer seasons continue through the summer until oktoberfest Beer known As wies n Mae zen is served As it has been since 1872. At one time the brewing of Beer was forbidden from april 24 until sept 29, so one Clever Brewer came up with the idea of serving a Beer brewed in March hence the name. This Beer was Darker and stronger than other types making it longer lasting. For years this Beer was the Only Beer served at the oktoberfest. Only in the last few years has its popularity been replaced by a lighter oktoberfest brew though some dark Beer can still be found. This year the six major Munich breweries will serve their versions of oktoberfest Beer each one a Little different but All with a malt Content of at least 13.5 percent making them a Little less Stout than the dark Beers. Again this year alcohol free Beer will be served. Two of the breweries Lowenbraun and Paulaner will sell the non alcoholic Beers at oktoberfest. 0 6 stripes Magazine september 20, 1990