Verein gegen betrügerisches Einschenken

The Verein gegen betrügerisches Einschenken e.V. (VGBE), or Association Against Fraudulent Pouring, is a German consumer protection organization based in Munich. Founded in 1899 as the Verband zur Bekämpfung betrügerischen Einschenkens e.V. Sitz München, its original purpose was to combat the practice of serving less beer than the customer paid for—a common trick in Munich taverns where clay mugs (Keferloher) made it difficult to see the actual fill level. The association was banned during the Nazi era but was re-founded on 9 September 1970 by the folk actor Rudi Scheibengraber and Sigi Eder. Today, the VGBE has nearly 4,000 members, including prominent figures such as former Munich mayor Christian Ude and former Bavarian Minister-President Edmund Stoiber. Its volunteer inspectors conduct unannounced checks at taverns, beer gardens, and major beer festivals, including the Oktoberfest, the Starkbierfest at Nockherberg, the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart, and the Cologne Carnival. The association measures the liquid level of beer after allowing the foam to settle for one minute. Beyond inspections, the VGBE campaigns for consumer-friendly policies, such as more seating for locals at the Oktoberfest and a price cap on beer. In 2003, under the leadership of then-president Jan-Ulrich Bittlinger, the VGBE exposed organized serving fraud at the Oktoberfest, leading the city of Munich to tighten tolerance limits and introduce unannounced controls. Bittlinger was named honorary president in 2018. The VGBE remains active in advocating for fair beer prices and traditional festival culture.

The Verein gegen betrügerisches Einschenken e.V. (VGBE) traces its origins to 1899, when it was founded in Munich as the "Verband zur Bekämpfung betrügerischen Einschenkens e.V. Sitz München." Its mission was to combat the widespread practice of serving customers less beer than they paid for—a fraud facilitated by the use of clay mugs (Keferloher) that made it hard to judge the fill level. In the early 20th century, the association's efforts saw some success around 1910, but the two World Wars and the political turmoil of the Weimar Republic and Nazi era pushed the issue into the background. The Nazis banned the association outright. On 9 September 1970, the folk actor Rudi Scheibengraber and Sigi Eder re-founded the association, which has operated continuously since. The VGBE conducts volunteer inspections at taverns, beer gardens, and major beer festivals, including the Oktoberfest, the Starkbierfest at Nockherberg, the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart, and the Cologne Carnival. Its standardized method involves letting the foam settle for one minute before measuring the liquid level. In 2003, under President Jan-Ulrich Bittlinger, the VGBE exposed organized serving fraud at the Oktoberfest, proving that festival hosts were circumventing official controls through a warning system. The city of Munich responded by tightening tolerance limits, introducing unannounced inspections, and issuing warnings to servers. Bittlinger was named honorary president in 2018. The association has also campaigned for consumer-friendly policies, such as more seating for locals at the Oktoberfest and a price cap on beer. In 2007, it announced a citizens' initiative for more tradition and coziness at the festival, and in 2012 it launched a petition for fair beer prices. The VGBE currently has nearly 4,000 members, including former Munich mayor Christian Ude and former Bavarian Minister-President Edmund Stoiber.

• 2018

  Bittlinger named honorary president.

• 2012

  Launches citizens' petition for fair beer prices at Oktoberfest.

• 2007

  Jan-Ulrich Bittlinger becomes president; VGBE announces Oktoberfest citizens' initiative.

• 2003

  Exposed organized serving fraud at the Oktoberfest, leading to stricter controls.

• 1970

  Re-founded on 9 September by Rudi Scheibengraber and Sigi Eder.

• 1933

  Banned by the Nazi regime.

• 1910

  First successes in combating fraudulent pouring.

• 1899

  Founded in Munich as Verband zur Bekämpfung betrügerischen Einschenkens e.V. Sitz München.

Non-partisan, social, persistent consumer protection for beer drinkers.

1. 1VGBE - Verein gegen betrügerisches Einschenken e.V.vgbe.org
2. 2Geschichtevgbe.org
3. 3Verein gegen betrügerisches Einschenkende.wikipedia.org
4. 4Wikidatawikidata.org