The 2025 Starkbierprobe, held at the iconic Nockherberg venue, kicked off at 19:00 on March 12, 2025, bringing together Bavarian politicians for the annual tradition of Derblecken. This year’s event promised to be especially topical, taking place just weeks after the federal election held on February 23, 2025, which resulted from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s call for early elections.
During the event, which lasted until roughly 22:00, attendees enjoyed traditional Bavarian Starkbier alongside sharp political satire. The evening featured the widely anticipated Fastenpredigt delivered by comedian Maxi Schafroth, marking his fifth consecutive year as the preacher. This year’s Singspiel, entitled "Ein Wadl für Deutschland", was written by the long-time author duo Richard Oehmann and Stefan Betz, with music composed by Martin Probst.
The atmosphere was lively, filled with humor as well as pointed critiques aimed at the political elite. Among the performers portraying political figures were Thomas Unger as Markus Söder, Nikola Norgauer as Olaf Scholz, Christian Pfeil as Christian Lindner, and Eli Wasserscheid debuting as Dorothee Bär. This historical debut was notable since both Wasserscheid and Bär hail from Bamberg, making her portrayal particularly poignant.
Prior to the main events, the audience was welcomed by the well-known Luise Kinseher, who returned to the Nockherberg stage after previously serving as the Fastenprediger. She greeted the guests with traditional Bavarian warmth and injected energy and anticipation as the program began. Following her welcome, the signature phrase of the evening, "Salve pater patriae! Bibas, princeps optime!" was pronounced, setting the stage for the festivities.
One of the highlights was Schafroth’s Fastenpredigt which began at 19:23. Wearing the attire of a monk, he took jabs at several politicians, referencing current political events and societal issues. Aimed at the AfD, he stated, "Liebe Blaue, wenn ich nicht vorab einen Dringlichkeitsantrag hatte, verlasst Ihr ja neuerdings immer empört Säle!" illustrating the signature satirical style of the Derblecken tradition, wherein politicians are humorously criticized for their actions and decisions.
The political commentary didn’t shy away from pressing issues; Schafroth jokingly addressed the lethargy associated with infrastructure projects across Bavaria, remarking, "München ist so lahm, dass mittlerweile die Allgäuer zur Entschleunigung herkommen. Das zeigt sich spätestens bei der S-Bahn!" The audience laughed heartily as he continued to reference the incompetence of various officials.
Musical interludes played pivotal roles, with songs addressing recent political blunders. The performance drew attention to the absurdity of current policies and the tumultuous political climate. For example, the song "Zukunft schreibt man jetzt mit C" by the actresses depicted the controversies around immigration and cultural policies.
Throughout the Singspiel, actors navigated between humor and criticism seamlessly, generating laughter and groans alike. The sketches included cameos and caricatures of other political figures, providing the audience with more pointed commentary on party politics, including Friedrich Merz’s comedic portrayal by David Zimmerschied, who bemoaned the tonal changes within the CDU over the years.
The event was not merely for entertainment; it served as a platform for reflective dialogue about the current state of politics. Attendees remarked on the engaging nature of the performances and the melding of humor with serious discourse. Political and societal challenges were made light of, emphasizing the necessity for open dialogue among leaders regardless of party lines.
This year, the event was broadcast live by Bayerischer Rundfunk, reaching both local and wider audiences. The broadcast began at 19:00, allowing fans to partake virtually through the ARD-Mediathek for those unable to attend. The broadcast extended beyond the event as viewers anticipated comments and discussions from guests immediately following the performances, including the post-show analysis segment titled "Sauber derbleckt" which aired at 22:00.
Moving forward, the Nockherberg will continue to attract attention, especially with the Starkbierfest following from March 14 to April 6, 2025, enhancing Munich's cultural offerings during this festive season. The festive season is expected to resonate even beyond Bavaria, building on the enthusiasm displayed during this recent Starkbierprobe.
This year promised several new and challenging narratives, especially with the rapid-fire political milieu post-elections, creating a dynamic environment where every joke held the weight of real-world consequences.
With all eyes on the performers and politicians alike, the Nockherberg 2025, as always, upheld its tradition as not only Bavaria’s beloved political satire event but also as a space for community, reflection, and engagement with current affairs.