Perth ‘drinking culture problem’ blamed for one-litre beer stein ban at Brotzeit German Bier Bar and Restaurant

A GERMAN-THEMED restaurant in Perth has been banned from serving beer in traditional one-litre stein glasses because of the city’s “problematic drinking culture”.

Eyke Czirr, executive chef at Brotzeit — his application to sell the traditional one-litre stein has been knocked back. Picture: Marie Nirme

Brotzeit, a Singaporean franchise with 15 outlets throughout South-East Asia, opens its first Australian restaurant in the CBD later this month.

It plans to serve authentic Bavarian-inspired cuisine and German draught beer at the landmark 140 William St development, near Jamie’s Italian and Koko Black.

The venue was last week granted a liquor licence, but was banned from using one-litre steins, which are traditional in Germany’s beer halls and at Munich’s Oktoberfest.

In his written decision, director of liquor licensing delegate Brett Snell ruled that only 300ml or 500ml mini-tankards can be used in Perth.

Mr Snell said he was convinced by the argument put forward by objectors that serving beer in one-litre glasses “sends a message that drinking large quantities of beer is acceptable”.

Mr Snell accepted evidence from the executive director of Public Health “that a high proportion of West Australians drink in a way that puts them in risk of harm in the short-term”.

He said the restaurant’s owners, Breadtime CBD, had not shown regard for drinking habits in Perth or account for “Perth’s problematic drinking culture”.

Breadtime CBD Pty Ltd, which plans to open three restaurants in Perth, declined to comment.

But the decision was slammed by Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods as another example of WA’s “nanny state” mentality.

Source : PerthNow    Peter Law   January 04, 2015