A heated debate has erupted between the states of Bavaria and Thuringia regarding the rightful inventor of the famous Bratwurst sausage. Bavaria's claim to fame lies with the "Wurstkuchl," reputedly the oldest Bratwurst stand in the world, located on the scenic Stone Bridge in Regensburg along the Danube River. This iconic tavern boasts documented evidence of a food stall dating back to 1378.
However, historians from Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, have unearthed a remarkable document from 1269. This document references a meat-roasting stand (Brathütte) along with a roasting pan (Bräter), predating the Bavarian establishment by over a century. Local historians are now on a quest to locate the original site of this sausage stand, although no restaurant in Thuringia has yet claimed this historical title.
Previously, the earliest written reference to Bratwursts in Thuringia was thought to be from 1404, mentioning an expenditure of "1 groschen for bratwurst casings" in the town of Arnstadt. Meanwhile, the Wurstkuchl continues to thrive, with its website stating that many of their traditions have remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. This includes their signature homemade sausages, open charcoal grilling methods, and locally fermented sauerkraut.
In response to Thuringia's recent findings, Wurstkuchl’s landlady, Alexandra Meier, expressed that the revelations do not concern her. She emphasized the pride her family takes in crafting quality sausages and that patrons visit for the taste, regardless of the longevity of their establishment's claim. “I don’t think people will say, ‘I’m not going there anymore because it’s only the second oldest,’” she added.
Interestingly, this debate is not new, as Bavarian cities Regensburg and Nuremberg have historically clashed over which town has the oldest sausage stand. Ultimately, past discussions concluded with Regensburg being granted the recognition. With this latest rivalry, the future of the Bratwurst's legacy continues to amuse both locals and tourists alike.
