Beer, oompah music as Merkel treats Obama to folksy welcome

Kruen

With a "Bavarian breakfast" of soft pretzels, oompah music and frothy beer, German Chancellor Angela Merkel treated US President Barack Obama to a folksy welcome yesterday, driving home the enduring strength of transatlantic ties. 

As fighting in Ukraine flares and Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to exploit any cracks in the united Western front on sanctions, Merkel treated Obama to a homely reception heavy on symbolism.

Before the other Group of Seven leaders got down to business at a summit at the luxury Elmau Castle resort nestled in the German Alps, close allies Merkel and Obama visited the idyllic nearby village of Kruen. 

Locals dressed in their finest traditional "Tracht" -- lederhosen (leather trousers) for the men, dirndl smocks for the women, and girls in dresses with their hair in neat plaits.

Storms overnight had washed the sky crystal blue as warm sunshine lit up the picture-book Alpine homes with sloped roofs, mountain-scene frescoes and geranium-lined wooden balconies.

After barrelling down mountain roads in a black sport utility vehicle, Obama emerged to greet Merkel, who was wearing a robin's egg blue blazer, with two kisses on her cheeks. He offered her husband, reclusive chemist Joachim Sauer, a handshake and a firm pat on the shoulder.

The two leaders signed the guestbook of Kruen, whose history stretches back to the 13th century, before taking the podium for remarks underlying their shared values. 

Later they tucked into plates of white sausage and soft pretzels, washed down with local wheat beer.

"There's never a bad day for beer and Weisswurst," Obama quipped on his fourth official visit to Germany, after calling out the Bavarian greeting "Gruess Gott!". 

As the sun beat down, Obama removed his dark suit jacket as he shook hands and chatted with locals, who snapped photos with their mobile phones.