18 November 2007

Sydney (dpa) - A Bavarian-born Sydney restaurant manager in Sydney on Friday claimed the world record for carrying beer steins after lugging 20 of them for 40 metres.

Reinhard Wurtz, 40, claimed the title for his adopted Australia and made no apologies to his folks back home in Friedrichshafen.

"I don't think the people of Germany will be offended that the record has gone to Australia," Wurtz said. "I'm happy for them to try and claim it back."

He took the world title from Munich barmaid Anita Schwartz, who managed to cart 16 steins the requisite distance.

Wurtz said it was the amino acids in his favourite wheat beer that gave him the strength to carry close to 50 kilograms across the bar in the harbourside Lowenbrau Keller, Australia's biggest German beer barn. Also helping was a ready supply of bretzel, the home-baked Bavarian pretzel.

Next year Wurtz is contemplating a bid to improve his record.

DPA

Subject: German news