Beer-gushing fountain triumphs over coronavirus
Žalec, 8 May - Beer lovers and others who would like to cheer up lockdown can rejoice since the Green Gold Fountain, the first beer fountain in the world, is reopening in Žalec on Saturday after a seasonal break. The event will see 20 brewers showcasing almost 30 Slovenian beer brands while heeding anti-Covid-19 measures.
Žalec
The Green Gold beer fountain in Žalec's central park.
Photo: Lili Pušnik/STA
Žalec, a town lying in the Lower Savinja Valley, will thus again see an arrival of beer enthusiasts and those curious to catch a glimpse of the fountain.
The event will take place in line with guidelines drawn up by the National Institute of Public Health to prevent the spread of coronavirus. There will be a so-called safe trail inside and around the fountain, enabling controlled movement of visitors and physical distancing.
Only three visitors will be allowed inside the fountain structure at the same time. They will have to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres as well. Moreover, hand sanitisers will be provided, the organisers, Žalec Culture, Sports and Tourism, told the STA on Friday.
Visitors will be able to indulge in beer brewed the old-fashioned way as well as Slovenian dark beer, and for the first time they may top up their beer-tasting cards. A live stream of the event will be available so that those staying at home could watch it unfold as well.
The mainstay of the region is hop growing with the fountain paying homage to the tradition. The opening has been postponed for more than a month due to the epidemic - the hop growing season usually spans from April to late October.
The fountain was inaugurated in September 2016 with almost 190,000 pints sold since then and more than 111,000 litres of Slovenian beer gushed down.