The season of beer and lederhosen has been clouded by allegations Munich is running a cartel that even a prince can’t crack.

Legal tensions are mounting around Oktoberfest, with claims that local breweries and organizers have coordinated pricing and distribution in violation of antitrust laws.

Authorities are investigating whether the Munich-based festival management has fostered anti-competitive practices among participating breweries, some of whom have dominated the event for decades.

The probe adds scrutiny to the world-famous beer festival, raising questions about market fairness in an industry long dominated by a handful of major players.