Kastenlauf (literally beer crate-running) or Bier-Rallye, is a drinking game that is played in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It is a race among teams that consist of at least two people carrying a crate of beer, the contents of which must be consumed prior to crossing the finish line.[1][2] The first team to cross the finish line after drinking all of their beer is considered the winner. The teams are usually also required to retain all their bottle caps, as an anti-littering measure.

Kastenlauf participants in Harrislee

The route generally varies from 5 to 12 kilometres (3.1 to 7.5 mi) in length.[3]

In Munich, kastenlauf events have been organized since 1982.[4] Kastenlaufs are also common among young people while en route to a beer festival, especially on its first day. As no application was submitted for the Harassenlauf in 2010, the canton of Baselland and the municipality of Münchenstein declared the event illegal. As the initiators and fans called for participation on internet forums and social media, the police responded with a large contingent. Around 400 police officers confronted around 200 Harassen runners. Apart from minor provocations and skirmishes, the confrontation between the law enforcement officers and the mostly young Harassenlauf participants was peaceful.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ (in German) Fuldaer Zeitung: Tragischer Unfall beim Fuldaer Kastenlauf, 19. Juli 2006
  2. ^ (in German) A 2007 brochure about the Philosophy Department[permanent dead link], University of Würzburg
  3. ^ "Was ist eigentlich ein Kastenlauf?" (in German). June 26, 2006. Retrieved Jan 5, 2011.
  4. ^ (in German) "Die zehn Kultveranstaltungen im Münchner Uni-Kalender" Archived 2004-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, Mayers magazine, 2003, no.4
  5. ^ ""Harassenlauf" mit geringer Beteiligung auf Ausweich-Route". www.onlinereports.ch (in German). Retrieved 2024-03-28.