Balthasar Hauser is celebrating his 80th birthday

A special birthday, an extraordinary life’s work and an evening full of personal encounters: on 8 August 2026, Balthasar Hauser celebrated his 80th birthday at the Stanglwirt in Going am Wilden Kaiser – together with his family, friends, colleagues and numerous long-standing companions.

It was not an evening of grand spectacle. Rather, it was the personal encounters, the music and the many shared memories that defined this special birthday. For the celebration was not just for a milestone birthday, but for a host whose life story has been inextricably linked with the Stanglwirt for decades.

A birthday celebrating home and community

Right from the start of the evening, it was clear what has always been particularly important to Balthasar Hauser: his connection to his home town and the people who have supported him along the way. The staff of the Stanglwirt entered the venue together for the celebrations, accompanied by the Going Brass Band, the Going Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Going Rifle Company.

Among those offering their congratulations were numerous well-known figures from the worlds of politics, business and society. Tyrol’s Governor Anton Mattle and Going’s Mayor Alexander Hochfilzer were among those celebrating, as were former Austrian EU Commissioner Franz Fischler, former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Franz Posch and DJ Ötzi, alias Gerry Friedle.

„I wish you all the very best on my birthday!“

Balthasar Hauser welcomed his guests – down-to-earth and full of humour, just as his family, friends and colleagues have known him for many years.

Incidentally, 8 August was a special day for Gerry Friedle in two ways: he celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife Sonja. The couple had got married at the Stanglwirt back then – and so, to mark their anniversary, they returned to a place that is also closely linked to their own family history.

The evening’s most emotional moment belonged to the family

Although so many friends and prominent well-wishers gathered that evening, the most moving moment of all belonged to the family.

The children and grandchildren had composed their own songs for their dad and grandad. When they performed them together, the large birthday gathering turned into a very personal family celebration for a few minutes. The songs clearly moved Balthasar Hauser. Finally, the children, grandchildren and the guest of honour all embraced one another.

When friends sing for a friend

Folk music and singing have been a part of the Balthasar Hauser’s life since his youth and remain an important part of it to this day. His 80th birthday was celebrated in a similarly musical spirit.

Among those present were his long-standing singing friends Georg Anker and Toni Pirchl Sr. from the ‘Stanglwirts Buam’. Other musical companions offered their congratulations with personal serenades, whilst the house band ‘SASA’ from the Zillertal provided the musical backdrop throughout the evening. The result was not a traditional birthday gala, but rather a large gathering of people whose paths have crossed time and again over many years and decades at the Stanglwirt.

Favourite Tyrolean dishes to mark the 80th anniversary

The guest of honour was also the centre of attention when it came to the food. Head chef Thomas Ritzer put together the birthday menu based on Balthasar Hauser’s personal favourite dishes .

The menu featured down-to-earth classics such as barley soup, schnitzel, Kasspatzln and Kaiserschmarren – dishes that are a perfect fit for a host who, despite the Stanglwirt’s international growth, has always remained true to his Tyrolean roots.

Bar manager Bernd Staber contributed a special tribute: with the specially developed‘Hauser Spritz’and its cranberry flavour, the guest of honour even had his very own birthday drink.

A quiet evening at the inn

And so this special birthday finally came to an end right where the history of the Stanglwirt has been unfolding for centuries: at the ‘Stangl’ inn.

Family, friends and companions sat together on the terrace by candlelight. There was music, storytelling and laughter. Stories from decades gone by were recounted and shared memories brought to life.

After all the congratulations, serenades and emotional moments, there was no need for a grand stage. Perhaps Balthasar Hauser’s 80th birthday could hardly have ended more fittingly: with the people closest to him, with music, friendship and gratitude – and with that down-to-earth nature that has characterised both him and the Stanglwirt for decades.