A significant increase in beer prices has been observed at the Oktoberfest celebration in Munich, according to a recent analysis by “Der Spiegel”. Prices for a Maß (traditional beer mug) have more than doubled since 1999, with the most expensive option projected to reach €15.80 in 2025.
In contrast, a liter of beer at the festival cost a maximum of 11.80 Deutsche Mark (€6.03) in 1999. This represents an overall increase of 161.9 percent. While the general price level has risen by 63.7 percent during the same period, the cost of beer has outpaced this average.
Peter Inselkammer, spokesperson for the Oktoberfest brewers, attributes the price increases to rising operational expenses, specifically mentioning rising labor costs. He indicated that the majority of these cost increases are being factored into the beer prices.
Data from the Federal Statistical Office indicates a 110.6 percent rise in the labor cost index within the hospitality sector since 1999. The statutory minimum wage has also seen a substantial increase, rising 50.8 percent since its introduction in 2015.
The impact on consumers has been further compounded by inflation and relatively modest real wage growth, meaning that, for many of the millions attending Oktoberfest annually, the real cost of a Maß has effectively increased beyond the stated price percentage.