The End of a Bratwurst War

There is a German proverb: Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei (There is one end to everything; only a sausage has two). Finally, Freiburg's bratwurst war had only one end, and I'd say it had a lucky one, too.

Remember: initially, there were eight places for vendors of grilled sausages on Münster market, but the number was reduced to five, making room for a diversified offer with a veggie, a fish, and a regional product stand. When the bids for the remaining five bratwurst stands came in, two traditional vendors failed to meet the conditions and had to leave.

The following rumors and internal quarrels spoiled the appetite of many a wurst eater, so that the top contender, bio (organic) butcher Hügle, aggressed by his contenders, eventually threw in the towel. This created a slot for the initially disdained bratwurst vendor Uhl, leaving the people at Hauber's Wurststand still weeping. Recently, they announced they were going to court.

Suddenly yesterday, the situation turned dramatically. Twice the city had asked for bids for a stand selling regional products, but both chosen vendors eventually withdrew. In this situation, the town hall, toing and froing, decreed that the open slot would be attributed to Hauber.

From April 1 on (what a foolish date), we shall have peace again on Münster market with six vendors offering the Lange Rote in a bun or in half a baguette plus other types of bratwurst at the Meier's, Hassler's, Hauber's, Uhl's, Licht's, and Schuler's stands. In addition, and hopefully with correct German orthography, the already existing tofu stand, as well as Faths, not Fath's, Fish Snacks, will fill the remaining two slots.

Before

After (©BZ/Ingo Schneider)

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