Munich (dpa/lby) - The EU Commission has granted the "Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)" seal of protection to the "Oktoberfestbier" in Munich. As the representation of the EU Commission in Munich announced on Friday, the new designation will be included in the list of 1,598 food products that are already protected. The Bavarian pretzel, Obazda, Allgäu mountain cheese and Nuremberg bratwurst can also be found there.
The seal stands for the close connection of a product with the region of origin, said the EU representative. At least one production stage - production, processing or manufacture - must be passed through there. The quality mark guarantees quality, protects against imitation of the product designation and thus also serves to improve marketing.
The production of Oktoberfest beer in Munich starts with grinding the malt and maceration and ends with a storage time of four to eleven weeks. A special feature is the water from springs that are up to 250 meters deep. "The prestige and distinctiveness of the "Oktoberfest beer" can be traced back to a traditional production process that has been developed over the centuries and to the exceptional reputation of the Oktoberfest," the commission representative said. The fact that the beer is brewed especially for the Oktoberfest has contributed significantly to the outstanding reputation.
