Hans Steyrer (1849 in Allach – 25 August 1906 in Munich[1]) was a German butcher and innkeeper who became a strongman known as the "Bavarian Hercules."

Hans Steyrer
Born1849
Allach, Germany
Died25 August 1906
Munich, Germany
Occupation(s)Butcher, Innkeeper, Strongman
Known for"Bavarian Hercules"

Performing around Europe, Steyrer would dead lift a 200-kg stone from the floor with his middle finger.[2][1]

As an innkeeper, Steyrer was involved in the development and expansion of the Munich Oktoberfest in the late nineteenth century. He is credited with initiating the tradition of the "entry of the innkeepers" on the first day of Oktoberfest. In 1887, Steyrer's private procession of eight carriages caring his family, workers, and beer was broken up by the police and he was fined 100 marks. Undeterred, Steyrer organized a similar procession the next year. Other innkeepers eventually joined in and their parade is now a feature of the first day of Oktoberfest in Munich.[3]

Steyrer died in Munich on 25 August 1906 and is buried in the Ostfriedhof.

Hans Steyrer's tombstone in the Ostfriedhof

References

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  1. ^ a b "La Mort de l'athelète Bavarois Steyrer Hans". La Culture Physique. 3 (41): 686. 15 September 1906. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  2. ^ Desbonnet, Edmond (2022). The Kings of Strength: A History of All Strong Men from Ancient Times to Our Own. McFarland. pp. 258–259. ISBN 9781476687247. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  3. ^ Dredge, Mark (2019). A brief history of lager : 500 years of the world's favorite beer. London: Octopus. ISBN 9780857838001. Retrieved 26 September 2022.