Tapping a keg of beer is an art in itself. The experienced bar waiter can hear when the tap is in. The experienced politician acts more as if he had a clue. This is important this summer, after the deprivation caused by the epidemic, there are folk festivals all over the country again. The politicians usually get a small, much lighter mallet than the professionals, they should cut a good figure. Hours of training are known from the mayors of Munich before they go on the big stage to tap at the Oktoberfest. The goal: two hits, then the beer should flow.
It’s the same at the Plärrer in Augsburg, which takes place twice a year. There is not quite as much publicity as at the Wiesn, but on his pre-election campaign tour across Bavaria on Easter Sunday in the spring, Prime Minister Markus Söder did not miss the opportunity to attend the tapping in the beer tent. This is well documented, videos of it are well clicked on the internet: It is rather rare that a prime minister gets something on her fingers from a mayor, in the literal sense. Augsburg’s mayor, Eva Weber, should be defended, as she certainly didn’t want to start an internal CSU feud. It all started harmlessly and professionally. Söder heats up the audience, Weber hits it the first time, the second time, then it stops. A decent performance, apparently thinks Söder, who nods contentedly: two hits, and the beer is already flowing. Because he can’t wait, he grabs a beer mug and holds it under the tap – Weber hits it again, better safe than sorry, and smashes Söder’s beer mug. The father of the country looks puzzled and suddenly only holds the handle in his hand.
Söder, gallantly evasive, calmly took the fact that floral decorations and brewery advertising were then poured from the barrel. Nevertheless, he apparently still remembers the appearance about four months ago. As a precaution, he skips the new date for tapping the so-called Herbstplärrer on Friday evening. Instead, he travels to Augsburg a day later, which doesn’t sound nearly as risky: First he signs the city’s golden book, then he is allowed to take part in the parade in a carriage with Mayor Weber. It is unclear who holds the reins.