Of course, constructing such a building had its price. A financial genius, Maximilian I. recognized wheat beer’s potential and transformed his peoples’ thirst into hard cash. In 1610, he issued an edict that allowed Munich ’s tavern keepers to purchase beer from the ducal Hofbräuhaus and to serve it not only to the court servants, but also to the “common folk.” Although this had been done on the sly before the decree was issued, it was now officially sanctioned by the court.