On March 12, 2025, the annual Nockherberg Starkbierprobe kicked off, blending Bavarian tradition with sharp political satire. This event, held at the Paulaner brewery, featured the now-iconic "Derblecken," which translates roughly to mockery of politicians—a beloved highlight of Bavarian culture.
Starting at 19:00, hundreds gathered to witness the evening, which promised political commentary interwoven with humor and music. The evening was hosted by Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) and broadcast live, allowing viewers nationwide to join the laughter.
Maximilian Schafroth, stepping up for the fifth time as the Fastenprediger, took to the stage clad in monk robes and prepared to roast significant Bavarian political figures. He kicked off the proceedings by reflecting, "Bleibts menschlich," urging politicians to remain grounded and human amid the political chaos.
Notably, the evening saw performances by notable doubles of high-ranking politicians—Thomas Unger as Markus Söder, David Zimmerschied as Friedrich Merz, and Nikola Norgauer reprised her role as Olaf Scholz, among others. This year's Singspiel, titled "Ein Wadl für Deutschland," was penned by seasoned writers Richard Oehmann and Stefan Betz, incorporating both humor and current political events.
One of the most pointed moments arrived when Schafroth directly addressed the mood within the crowd, referencing the heated political climate: "Euch ist nichts heilig!" This line directed at the opposition garnered mixed reactions, signaling both laughter and seriousness within the room. He carried on with razor-sharp critiques of various politicos, with many wondering how they would respond once their segments aired on public television.
Another notable highlight of the evening was the musical performance by the doubles portraying Söder and Merz, singing, "Demut ist erste Pflicht/ Nur mit protzen geht das nicht." This catchy tune, which poked fun at the duo’s tendency for self-promotion over humility, set the crowd laughing and clinking glasses. "Ich finde es bewundernswert, was du in deinem Alter noch zu leisten versuchst," Söder told Merz, showing camaraderie amid the mockery.
The spectacle continued as Luise Kinseher appeared alongside Michaela Kaniber, belting out the song, "Zukunft schreibt man jetzt mit C." This clever number jokingly intertwined contemporary issues within their performance, making light of current political trends whilst engaging the audience.
The stage was adorned with classic Bavarian decor—blue-and-white colors, lions, pretzels, and other cultural motifs, all adding to the immersive Bavarian experience. Schafroth ensured throughout the evening to reinforce the reasons for the gathering, as well as to deeply satire figures such as Aiwanger and the AfD, drawing laughter through pointed critique.
The Nockherberg’s annual tacos became more than just beer and food; they transformed the atmosphere charged with anticipation for the comedic roast of the powerful. Notably, Schafroth addressed the abrupt scheduling changes forced by the recently held federal election, stating the pressure it placed on writers and performers alike to address ever-changing political landscapes.
By the night’s end, the atmosphere was electric, with guests relishing the moments of humor as they offered up commentary on the pearly lightheartedness wrapped within the serious observations about politics. Political heavyweights were put on notice— not to take themselves too seriously, lest they become the butt of the next round of jokes.
Schafroth concluded the evening with the hope of promoting more conversation among politicians, referencing the past year’s events and aiming for unity: "Ich übernehme nur euren Sound," he remarked, alluding to the trend of harsh political rhetoric and the need for discourse.
The response from attendees indicated success: criticism delivered with laughter is the heartbeat of what Nockherberg embodies. Attending the Starkbierprobe is not only about enjoying the focused brews of the night, but about embracing Bavarian wit and tradition with open arms.
The Starkbier fest is set to follow, running from March 14 until April 6, 2025, proving the cultural significance of this beverage among Bavarians during Lent. With over 2.6 million people tuning to the Nockherberg event last year, there seems to be no sign of the Starkbierprobe slowing down anytime soon.
With the promise of future performances and events, Nockherberg remains firmly on the calendar. Its happenings, during the Starkbier season, continually spotlight the intersection of Bavaria's rich cultural traditions with contemporary political happenings.