Overview
- German artist Benjamin Klapper built the installation at Cologne’s Rhein-Center using 63,000 beer mats over roughly 120 hours between Oct. 31 and Dec. 8.
- Klapper said the structure partially gave way under its own weight before completion, so he invited visitors to play an interactive “Beer Mat Jenga” with the remaining build.
- Footage from Jan. 10 shows the daughter of a helper removing a single coaster and the rest of the structure cascading down in seconds.
- The clip has drawn millions of views and mixed reactions online, including skepticism about authenticity and regret over the collapse.
- The attempt fell short of Guinness recognition, with the standing record remaining Sven Goebel’s 2004 build of 70,000 coasters.