If you are considering a vacation to Europe, there are many different countries you could potentially visit. For example, you could head to France and spend some time visiting Paris and the famous Eiffel Tower, or head to the south and take in some of the country’s stunning vineyards. Or how about heading to the UK to see Buckingham Palace or the mighty Big Ben? But if you really want to experience a fun-filled couple of weeks, then Oktoberfest has to be on your list of things to do in Europe. So, what is Oktoberfest, and where is it held?
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in the German city of Munich. It is held over the two weeks prior to the first Sunday in October. The history of Oktoberfest dates to 1810, when on 12th October, Kronprinz Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen were married. A five-day festival was held to mark the event, which included a horse race. The same race was held the following year and combined with a state agricultural fair. The event grew over the years with the addition of food and drink stalls until, by the end of the 20th century, the booths had become large beer halls.
These days, millions of people from across Germany and beyond visit Munich for Oktoberfest, where each of the city’s brewers erect structures capable of seating up to 6,000 people each. Because of its popularity, versions of Oktoberfest are held in towns and cities across the world. Nevertheless, the Munich festival is the real deal and where you will get the most authentic experience.
What to Expect at Oktoberfest
As the name implies, you can expect to see lots of beer. With each brewer having their own structure, you can expect to find only one type of beer in each tent. You can visit the various tents to try out the different beers. According to the good folk at CedarStone Industry, the beers found at Oktoberfest will have different flavors and aromas to what North Americans are typically used to. The differing tastes depend on the ways the beers are brewed. Different brewers use different methods, such as unitank brewing or conical brewing. The ingredients used will also differ, with each brewer adding their own personal touches to create a unique taste. Remember, the beer in Germany tends to be stronger than those we drink here in America, so take it easy.
If you are there for the start of the festival, you will witness the mayor of Munich tapping the first beer keg to mark the event open. The event opens at 12 PM (local time) on the first day and closes at 10.30 PM. For the rest of the festival, doors open at 10 AM on weekdays and 9 AM on weekends and holidays. It will close at 10.30 PM every evening.
You can bring your own beer to the grounds of Oktoberfest, but it is not permitted inside the tents. You must be drinking beer if you are in the tents and the price of beer is roughly €10 per liter. Food is also available both inside and outside of the tents. Prices for food tend to be cheaper outside.
You can expect the atmosphere inside the tents to be wild, with people dressed up in lederhosen and dirndl. Dressing up might be out of your comfort zone but you will likely feel more out of place if you don’t join in. However, it is probably best to look for an outfit before you travel as purchasing traditional attire could cost you a small fortune in Munich.