Christmas Eve in the beer fountain: a celebration of conviviality awaits the guests!

Christmas Eve in the beer fountain: a celebration of conviviality awaits the guests!

On December 22, 2025, the anticipation of Christmas can be felt in the Zweibrücken pedestrian zone. Tanja Rauch, who has been running the “Bierbrunnen” pub for 13 years, is expecting a packed evening again this year. “All hell breaks loose on Christmas Eve,” she reports, and not without pride. The traditional pub is open until 3 p.m. and a full house is expected. If the weather cooperates, the restaurateur will even open the front doors to attract even more guests.

In the region, the “beer fountain” is an integral part of the gastronomic offering, especially in the run-up to Christmas. Tanja Rauch, who also runs the “Cartoon” in Homburg, has extensive experience in the catering industry. The concept of your establishment remains stable, and new live broadcasts of the Bundesliga will also attract additional visitors in the future. The pub reopened on July 23, 2025 after closure due to an eviction due to financial difficulties of the previous operator. The Karlsberg Brewery made this public and handed over management to Rauch. Your return to traditional hospitality is welcomed by many people from Zweibrücken.

The catering industry in crisis

However, the situation in the catering industry is anything but rosy. According to that Deutschlandfunk Many landlords have given up in recent years. The corona pandemic has not only weakened the numbers, but also led to a massive decline in pubs and restaurants in Germany. While the number of cafes and bars has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, things are looking bleaker for pubs. Sales in the catering industry fell by 3.8 percent in real terms in 2024 compared to the previous year, and that is still 15.8 percent less than in 2019.

The reopening of the “Bierbrunnen” pub is a bright spot in this gloomy scenario. Nevertheless, restaurants in urban and rural areas are severely affected. Reports of the so-called “inn death” are increasing, particularly in rural regions of Germany. This also affects areas such as Brandenburg, where the number of restaurants has fallen from 2,200 to 1,800. In Bavaria, 35 to 40 percent of rural businesses have had to close in the last ten years, which means the loss of social meeting places.

Despite the difficulties faced by the catering industry, the “Bierbrunnen” remains a popular destination for many. Tanja Rauch has a good knack for running her pub in the heart of the city. On Christmas Eve she will once again do her best to offer her guests a cozy and festive atmosphere.