Der »Spandauer Bock«

In the 19th and first half of the 20th century, the "Spandauer Bock" was one of Berlin's biggest pubs. On some days it was visited by twenty thousand people. The success of the "Bairisch Bier" served here led to the founding of the "Spandauerberg Brewery", which soon became one of the most important breweries in Berlin and was soon involved in the legendary "Berlin Beer Boycott". The popularity of the entertainment centre encouraged the establishment of the world's first overhead electric tram line. It travelled right up to the gates of the "Spandauer Bock". Its fame reached as far as Australia and the USA, so it is not surprising that it was echoed in literature in many different ways. Fontane was related by marriage to the founder of the "Bock", Conrad Bechmann. The "Spandauer Bock" was often used as a meeting place due to the wide range of catering options. The socially critical left in particular met here from the very beginning. In the end, this prompted the SA to operate a torture cellar at this meeting place for political opponents. This entertainingly written and richly illustrated account of the history of the "Spandauer Bock" uses an original example to paint a vivid picture of a century and a half of Prussian and German history. And above all the history of Berlin.