Thuringia wins bratwurst boxing match: Who has the oldest cuisine?

Thuringia wins bratwurst boxing match: Who has the oldest cuisine?

Who would have thought that a boxing match would resolve a culinary dispute over the oldest bratwurst cuisine in the world? In Mühlhausen, Thuringia, on September 26, 2025, amateur boxers Daniel Bertz and Hasan Arli from Nuremberg fought an exciting boxing match that made the hearts of around 300 spectators in the Bratwurst Museum beat faster. This unusual event was not only about sporting competition, but also about the question of where the oldest bratwurst kitchen can be found.

The dispute over the title has its roots in Bavaria, where the Regensburg restaurant “Wurstkuchl” draws attention with a documentary mention from 1378. But Nuremberg also claims the title: the restaurant “Zum Gulden Stern” was first mentioned in a document in 1419. On the other hand, Thuringia can point to an even older mention of a bratwurst from 1404, which complicates the situation even further. A research team from Erfurt has evidence of a bratwurst stand that may have existed as early as 1269 - in Erfurt.

The event in the Bratwurst Museum

The Nuremberg restaurateur Sofia Hilleprandt had the idea of ​​resolving this dispute through a boxing match, and the managing director of the Bratwurst Museum, Thomas Mäuer, happily agreed. He emphasized that the bratwurst is more than just a dish for Thuringia - it is a real cultural asset. Boxer Kay “Der Thüringer” Löwentraut entered the ring for Thuringia and the fight was a celebration for the spectators: the atmosphere was exuberant with beer, music and delicious bratwursts.

The fight ended after four exciting rounds by technical knockout. for Bertz, which brought Thuringia victory. Nevertheless, the conflicting demands were honored at an award ceremony in a complex compromise: While Bertz was proclaimed the winner, Nuremberg retained the title of the oldest bratwurst kitchen. A clear indication that culinary traditions often have to be viewed from many sides.

A true competition of traditions

However, this dispute is not new. Already 25 years ago there were disputes between Nuremberg and Regensburg over the title of the oldest bratwurst restaurant. The influence of Roman cuisine, particularly “Lucanica,” a seasoned bratwurst, shows how deeply rooted the sausage tradition is in European cuisine. Historical sources show that the Romans spread the bratwurst over long distances and that butchers refined the craft in the Middle Ages in order to meet the high demands of connoisseurs.

In this context, the bratwurst boxing match not only became more important for the two cities, but also for the bratwurst culture as a whole. The idea of ​​turning this old rivalry into a sporting competition could be seen as a breath of fresh air for regional identity and a creative means of promoting the culinary fascination of bratwurst.

We can only hope that such creative approaches continue to contribute to the vitality of regional cuisine and ensure good coexistence between the Rhinelanders and the Franconians. Ultimately, the bratwurst remains a treat for everyone that combines enjoyment and tradition.

How does it all continue? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the discussion about the oldest bratwurst cuisine is far from over.

For further information on the background and upcoming developments, read the articles on star, ZDF, and in Gatzemeier's blog.