Free Republic

Local Beer Only at Oktoberfest, Unless It's Belgian, of Course By MARK LANDLER MUNICH (MUNCHEN), Sept. 19 — The Oktoberfest starts here this weekend, and even before noon today, the vaulted main hall of the Hofbräuhaus was teeming with tourists in boisterous training. But in Bavaria's breweries, bitterness is spoiling the season. Some of Germany's leading beers have been sold into foreign hands, and to defenders of national pride, something of Germany's birthright has been sold with them. Earlier this week, one of Germany's oldest breweries, Gabriel Sedlmayr, announced it would sell its famous beers, which include Löwenbräu, to Interbrew,...