Deutsch
English
ItalianoUpdated 30.04.2022
Governor Günther Platter opened Gauder Freitag in the sold-out Zillertal Bier Festzelt in the traditional manner with the beer tapping. This was followed by the entry of Beer King Gambrinus and the acceptance of new Gambrinus friends. The highlight was provided by the cabaret artist Luis from South Tyrol, who poked fun at the political and business celebrities present in his Gambrinus speech.
After the Gauder Fest was kicked off on Thursday, the official opening took place on Friday with the tapping of the beer by Governor Günther Platter. "It is always a pleasure for me to be able to tap the beer at the Gauder Fest and to be a part of this historic festival," said Governor Günther Platter, who made the first barrel of Gauder Bock flow with two skilful strokes.
Gambrinus' speech as a highlight
Year after year, the guests are particularly excited about the Gambrinus speech. Prominent guests such as Federal Minister for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism Elisabeth Köstinger, ski jumper Philipp Aschenwald and ski racer Stephanie Venier were present this year. The celebrities represented from politics and business followed the speech attentively to find out if they themselves were being taken for a ride. Before he came to them, Luis from South Tyrol (alias Manfred Zöschg) first had a few words to say about the Gauder Fest itself: "The Gauder Fest is an integration stadium. Today you can toast with each other, discuss, bang heads verbally. Anything is possible while enjoying the Gauder Bock, the truth serum from Zell, at the biggest integration festival in Austria." Then he didn't mince his words any more and threw side blows in all directions: "Last time I said that politicians don't like to take the train because on the platform they say. please step back. But the train doesn't run as often as you change chancellors in Austria." The Zillertal also got its comeuppance: "What about the hydrogen train? Hydrogen is political. It's highly explosive, but it also evaporates easily. I would run the bahnele on hot air. Hot air coming from politics is plentiful and the energy would be put to good use."
Gambrinus Friends - in the service of a good cause
As is tradition, a Gambrinus Friends reception was held again this year, where personalities are inducted who put themselves in the service of a good cause. "The Gambrinus Friends are constantly expanding and we are happy that there is great interest in being a part of it," said Martin Lechner, chairman of the Gambrinus Friends and managing director of Zillertal Bier.
In 2004, the Gambrinus Friends founded a social fund to support innocent Tyrolean families in need. Since its foundation, around 680 families have already been helped quickly and unbureaucratically with a total of over 425,000 euros. The Gambrinus Friends include prominent personalities such as Governor Günther Platter, Federal Minister for Digitalisation and Business Location Margarete Schramböck or the Zillertal ex-ski stars Leonhard Stock and Stephan Eberharter. New guests this year include Federal Minister Elisabeth Köstinger, State Secretary Claudia Plakolm, Landesestrachtenverband chairman Alexander Schatz and Tyrolean artist Thomas Riess, who designed this year's artwork for the Gauder Fest motif.
Austria's strongest festival beers from Zillertal Bier
Beer lovers once again had plenty of reason to rejoice at the Gauder Fest. Traditionally, the Zillertal Gauder Bock was served, which is brewed especially for the Gauder Fest. In a tradition dating back more than 500 years, Zillertal Bier, on whose farm the festival was originally held, brews beer in Zell am Ziller. Every September, the Gauder Bock is brewed and then left to mature for eight months. At 7.8 percent by volume, this speciality is the strongest festival beer in Austria and has already achieved cult status. Also unique is the Zillertal Gauder Steinbock, a bock beer speciality brewed according to a recipe from the 1920s with 10.4 percent by volume. These festival beers and other drinkable beer specialities await visitors in the Zillertal Bier festival tent.
The entire programme for the Gauder Fest can be found at: www.gauderfest.at
You can find more pictures on the press portal.