Zoigltag 2025: Celebrate Upper Palatinate brewing traditions!

Zoigltag 2025: Celebrate Upper Palatinate brewing traditions!

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, the Upper Palatinate Zoiglculture will be celebrated as part of the nationwide “Open Monument Day”. This day of action will be converted into “Zoigltag” and will focus on the region that practices traditional brewing in historic communal breweries. The day aims to connect intangible and material cultural heritage and offers a colorful program in the participating towns of Eslarn, Falkenberg, Mitterteich, Neuhaus and Windischeschenbach. oberpfalz24.de reports that it ranges from music to tours to culinary specialties.

In Eslarn in particular, the festival starts at 10.30 a.m. at the Kommunbrauhaus. Traditional white sausages and partridge zoigl are on the menu here, accompanied by lectures and children's activities. Windischeschenbach and Neuhaus also invite you to linger with guided tours, exhibitions and concerts. The Zoiglwirtshäuser in Falkenberg and Mitterteich open their doors and offer typical regional dishes. A shuttle bus conveniently takes visitors from place to place so that they can easily explore the diverse offerings.

What defines the Zoigl culture?

The Zoigl culture, which has been recognized as Bavaria's intangible cultural heritage since 2018, is based on a centuries-old tradition of communal brewing. In the historic communal breweries, the so-called Zoigl brewers brew their beer using artisanal methods and pre-industrial brewing equipment. The production and knowledge about the brewing craft is passed on primarily orally. The result is a bottom-fermented beer with a variety of flavors that are characterized by old recipes and the art of craftsmanship. unesco.de explains that the Zoiglstuben are also a place for communication and sociability, where songs are sung, business is done and local political issues are discussed.

Norbert Neugirg, the chairman of the “Echter Zoigl vom Kommunbrauer” protection group, emphasizes that the Zoigl culture is firmly anchored in the northern Upper Palatinate, in contrast to other regions such as Upper Bavaria or Franconia. This is to be promoted through the efforts of the protection community, which aims to bring the Zoigl culture onto Germany's list of intangible cultural assets. zoiglbier.de reports that such initiatives not only help preserve traditions, but also increase awareness of regional and sustainable specialties.

A look into the future

Although Zoigl culture is gaining popularity, Neugirg expresses concerns about possible excessive tourist numbers and emphasizes that changes in the scene should be done carefully and authentically. However, the traditional-minded Zoigl brewers appreciate the initiatives of young brewers in the region, while still sticking to the roots of their craft.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the program and timetables can visit www.zoigltag.de inform. The event promises, as always, to be a real feast for the senses, where the focus is not only on the beer, but also on the people and their stories.