As with most festivals in Europe there is a huge historical and cultural background as to why there is the world's biggest beer festival in the middle of Munich. Whilst it is one of the largest parties on earth, the more you understand the culture and history behind the festival the better your experience will be.
We would recommend that you try your hardest to learn a bit of German before you go - even if it's only to say 'thank you' to the big German bloke in lederhosen who has dragged you on to a table for a dance to the oompah band!
The festival starts on the 4th Saturday in September. A parade, the grand entry of landlords and breweries starts at 11am and includes the bands that will be entertaining the crowds in the beer halls and waitresses dressed in traditional Bavarian costume. The first barrel of beer is tapped by the Lord Mayor at midday and when the tap is in, he says 'Ozapft is!' which is the keyword for everyone to start partying.
Each of the 6 main breweries in Munich has at least one 'tent' at the Beerfest grounds, along with various other temporary structures erected to keep the estimated 7 MILLION visitors fed and watered.
6,500,000 litres of full strength beer at the Beerfest grounds alone
27,000 litres of wine
19,000 bottles of bubbly
250,000 cups of tea and coffee. (hey, somebody's gotta drive)
680,000 chickens consumed
470,000 pork sausages. (A German speciality with over 1,500 variations on sausage. Blood sausage, brain sausage... if it moves, the Germans will kill it, grind it up, and find a way to make a sausage out of it)
94 oxen
62,000 pork knuckles
1,400 toilets
12,000 employees
103 acres
Beerhalls are open from 10.30am - 11.30pm, with last drinks served at 10.30pm. Sundays they start even earlier, first drinks 9am! Many of the much smaller wine cafes stay open for an hour or so later. If you want to carry on into the small hours of the night, Munich is well equipped to cater to your desires. The area of Schwabing is in close proximity to the university and offers a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars, from ultra cheap to super trendy. Near the Ost Bahnhof (an underground station) you'll find Kunstpark, one of the best concentrations of nightclubs in Europe. Entrance and drinks can be pricey, but most of these clubs are extremely well decked out, and German dance music has always been noted for breaking new ground.
As in most European countries, there is considerable froth, or head, on the beer. But Oktoberfest is about a lot more than just beer. It is a celebration of Bavarian culture, and includes a giant carnival, which was a bigger attraction than the beer initially. Music is also central to festivities, and the bands that perform in each tent normally mix traditional German songs with more well-known contemporary music. Oompah bands are a definite highlight, playing a brassy, grin-inducing variety of tunes, most famously 'Ein Prosit'.
During the day, Munich offers attractions such as Neuschwanstein, a fairy tale castle commissioned by Ludwig II, also known as 'Mad King Ludwig'. Dachau concentration camp is only 20km's from the city, and is one of the more moving memorials to the horrors of WWII. In Munich itself, you have the Englischer Garten, a huge park in the heart of the city, complete with jogging, cycle and horse trails, and of course, beer halls. Nude sun bathing is also a popular pass time, although maybe not in October. Then there's the famous Glockenspeil, a clock that puts on a show at 10am, 12 noon and 5pm, located in Munich's main square Marienplatz. From there it's a two minute walk to the Hofbrauhaus, one of the most famous drinking establishments in the world.
Oktoberfest?
Why 'Oktoberfest' when it actually begins in September?
The first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honour of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on 12th October 1810 and ended on October 17th with a horse race. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated and later, the festival was prolonged and moved forward into September.
By moving the festivities up, it allowed for better weather conditions. Because the September nights are warmer, visitors are able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over 'Die Wiesen' or 'the fields' without feeling chilly. Historically, the last Oktoberfest weekend is in October and this tradition continues into present times.
Serving hours
- Weekdays: 10am - 10:30pm
- Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9am - 10:30pm
- Daily Tent Closing Time: 11:30pm
- The 'Käfer Wiesn-Schänke' and the 'Weinzelt' are open until 1am. Last call for alcohol: 12:15am
Beer Prices
The estimated beer price will range between €8 and €8.30 per litre
Highlights
- Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen's Parade
- The parade happens every year on the first Sunday
- Other important events are the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Official Tapping of the Keg and the 'Böllerschießen' (handheld canon salute)
Traditional Bavarian food
Bavarian food is very 'hearty', and largely revolves around meat dishes. There are however plenty of alternatives for vegetarians. Following is a brief list of a few traditional dishes:
- Leberknodelsuppe: Typical Bavarian soup with a dumpling from pork liver
- Schweinsbraten: Pork served in slices with gravy, accompanied by knodel (noodle)
- Schweinshaxe: Pork Knuckle!
- Krautspatzen: Spatzle (eggs, flour, water, salt), served with sauerkraut
Oktoberfest Do's & Don'ts
- Good shoes are recommended, some tents will not allow flip-flops/thongs
- Know your limits! The beer is brewed particularly for Oktoberfest, with some lager in excess of 7%
- Eating is NOT cheating.
- Learn a few words in German. Most Bavarians will speak English, but they will appreciate the effort
- Respect the locals and their culture. We are their guests
- Only take what you need. Thousands of items are lost each year (Including passports)
- Remember where you are staying
- It is a criminal offence to remove steins from the Beerfest tents. Police and security will check your bags and issue a hefty fine if you are found sneaking one out. It is cheaper to buy one from a shop
- Have the time of your life!