Oktoberfest beer festival starts this year on September 19
The history of mass festivities with raucous songs and a sea of beer began on October 12, 1810. On that day, Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. In honor of the momentous event, a loud celebration was held on the outskirts of Munich. And the meadow where tables with food and drinks were set up was named after the new bride.
The idea so pleased the townspeople that from 1819, after the exhausting Napoleonic Wars, by a special decree of the city council the festival was declared annual. Over the past centuries, it has been cancelled only a few times – due to cholera epidemics, hyperinflation, and military actions. However, in 1980, when a terrorist attack on the Theresienwiese claimed 13 lives, Oktoberfest continued as if nothing had happened.
Contrary to its name, the festival begins in the second half of September and lasts a little over two weeks, but in such a way that its end falls on the first weekend of October. The tradition was established in 1904 solely because the weather in Munich is much more comfortable in mid-September. This year, the festival will run from noon on September 19 to midnight on October 4.
Oktoberfest starts with a festive costume parade accompanied by brass bands, which moves from the city center to the Theresienwiese. Exactly at noon, the mayor ceremonially drives the tap into the first beer barrel, accompanying this simple operation with the cry "O'zapft is", which in the local dialect literally means "It's tapped". He also drinks the first mug. From that moment, the festival is considered open.
Only Munich beer brewed in accordance with the regional 1487 Beer Purity Law is allowed to be served at the festival. Therefore, by tradition, six Munich breweries present their products: Paulaner, Augustiner-Brau, Löwenbräu, Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu. Each brewery sets up its own branded tents on the meadow. Some can accommodate up to ten thousand people. To avoid getting lost in the labyrinth of beer passions, it makes sense to get a guidebook in advance. A small booklet costs 7.99 euros.
Oktoberfest has a strict rule: only those who are seated drink beer. The total number of seats in all tents exceeds one hundred thousand, but at the height of the festival, it is not easy to find a free spot. While waiting, you can easily stand around all day. The occupancy level of individual pavilions, as well as the entire area, can be tracked online on the festival's official website, where information from webcams is posted.
To be sure of getting into the tent of your desired brewery, it is better to book in advance online. The service costs from 70 to 150 euros depending on the specific tent and time of visit. For this money, the guest receives not only a guaranteed seat, which is important in itself, but also two liters of beer and half a grilled chicken. But if the guest leaves their seat even temporarily, they instantly lose it. This is the second strict rule to remember.
Basically, Oktoberfest is beer, beer, and more beer. It is brewed in March, calculated so that it matures by the festival. It turns out a bit darker and stronger than usual – about 6.5% alcohol versus the usual 4.5%. By the way, only one brewery – Augustiner – pours directly from barrels. All others use steel kegs.
Over two weeks, millions of liters of foamy brew are consumed on the Theresienwiese. Local waiters and especially waitresses with impressive physiques tirelessly serve beer. An experienced waiter can carry up to five heavy liter mugs in one hand, while maneuvering between not-so-sober guests, and simultaneously taking orders without even being able to write them down. All this requires considerable agility, exceptional endurance, remarkable physical strength, and a brilliant memory. So the work of these people is a captivating sight in itself. And – yes, they undoubtedly deserve tips!
As accompaniments to beer, visitors are offered pretzels (signature salted pretzels), white Bavarian sausages, pork knuckle, spit-roasted meat, potato salad, and other simple but extremely appetizing snacks. As a bonus, performances by national brass bands, which are interrupted only by noisy collective toasts accompanied by the clinking of thousands of glasses and mugs. It can be stuffy in the tents, but fortunately smoking is prohibited inside. Also, children under six are not allowed to be in the beer tent after eight in the evening even when accompanied by parents.
For the strong of spirit and body, various rides are set up on the Theresienwiese: a Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and much more. During the two weeks, so-called "family days" are provided, when prices for such entertainment are significantly reduced.
The festival grounds are completely safe. After the 1980 tragedy, this is treated with particular care. Selective screening is in effect. Patrols with dogs check guests for drugs. The police swiftly and quite harshly suppress any manifestations of aggression. Given the considerable amount of alcohol in visitors' blood, this is fundamentally important. Brawlers, hooligans, and petty thieves are sent to the police station with all the ensuing consequences in the form of painful fines and even court proceedings.
When visiting Oktoberfest, especially with children, one must be prepared for some unpleasant realities of the festival. First of all, there are a huge number of dead-drunk people on the Theresienwiese. Not all of them are able to reach the toilet independently and in time. Accordingly, traces of human activity and even the process of excretion itself can be observed in the most inappropriate places.
An ambulance is on duty for guests who have overindulged. Emergency bowel cleansing also takes place in full view of the public. Then the unfortunate person is taken to a clinic, where they are brought back to their senses. But for this, they will later have to pay a pretty penny.
If you plan to spend several hours at the festival, it makes sense to bring painkillers, anti-nausea medication, antiseptic, and a jacket in case of rain.
It should be remembered that during Oktoberfest in Munich, it is not easy to find accommodation, and it is not cheap either. Therefore, many people stay in the outskirts of Munich or even in other cities and come to the festival for one or two days. In principle, this is enough to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of one of the most famous festivals in the world without spending too much.
Guests take home not only vivid impressions but also numerous souvenirs. A beer mug with festival branding will cost from 20 euros, a glass from 5 euros, a traditional Bavarian vest from 75 euros, traditional leather trousers from 250 euros. The main thing to remember is not to turn the fun into a sad celebration with a severe hangover.