Medieval town celebrates beer fest

Kirchheimbolanden will host its 15th Kerchemer beer week today through Sunday on the Herrengarten festgrounds, an area next to the county administration office (Kreisverwaltung).

The town has celebrated the biennial event since 1986 to honor the German brewing tradition and the strict brewing regulations which emphasize German beer’s high quality and purity.

City officials expect 10,000 visitors in their so-called little residence, those of whom are interested in tasting a variety of beer. The town derived the name “the little residence” because it was once the residence of the princess of Nassau-Weilburg for about 400 years. In 1368, it received town rights, when the town wall with gates and towers were built. The palace, palace garden, ball house, orangery, court church and Baroque-style houses were built in the 18th century and reflect the character of the town today.

More than 25 breweries will present more than 60 types of beer while an entertaining program performance takes place.

The beer king and the hop queen will officially open the fest by tapping the first keg of beer at 7:30 p.m. today. The regional band Brass Machine will provide the musical entertainment with rock and pop songs for the rest of the night.

Saturday entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. with German pop music by Kalli Koppold. At 9 p.m., the band Bayermän will play dance and party music.

A musical “Frühschoppen,” or early beer get-together, will feature German songs and folk music 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

The fest parade, with more than 1,000 participants, will be the highlight of beer week starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. The parade with floats, horses, music and walking groups will go through the streets in the center of town and end on the festgrounds in the historical old part of town. Beer and wine majesties will make their appearance at 5p.m. before the party band, The Entertainers, closes out the event. Admission to all performances is free.

Local restaurants, butchers and bakers will serve beer-specific and Palatinate food specialties.

Kirchheimbolanden is located north of Kaisers-lautern, about 25 kilometers from Sembach on federal street B40.