Frühschoppen

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Frühschoppen is a German and Austrian tradition of meeting in a pub, inn, or tavern in the late morning, usually on Sundays, for drinks and company. The exact customs vary by region. It is often like a brunch, but it doesn’t always include food. It is also commonly part of fun fairs such as Oktoberfest or Cannstatter Volksfest, and in the Netherlands it can be seen at carnival near the German border.

In Bavaria (Lower Bavaria and much of Upper Bavaria), Frühschoppen is a special brunch with Weisswurst (white sausage), sweet mustard, pretzels, and Weissbier (unfiltered wheat beer). It began in rural areas and used to take place on Sundays at the Stammtisch (the regulars’ table) in a tavern. People may talk about everyday life and politics, and a band usually plays nearby, often traditional Volksmusik, though some places have pop, rock, or jazz.

In many other parts of Germany, Frühschoppen is understood more generally as a Sunday morning gathering in a pub after church, often with alcohol but not necessarily with a meal. As church attendance has declined, the tradition has become less common but is still found, especially in rural areas.