Oktoberfest 2008
It is nearly that time of year again, when the big tents go up at the Wiesn and millions of people descend on Munich for just over two weeks of festival fun, i.e. drinking. The Oktoberfest, so-called due to the traditional start date of the festival in October, actually now always begins in September; the date was brought forward to utilise the better weather.
What can you expect from this festival? Beer. Loads of it. It is not known as the Munich Beer festival for nothing. However, there is lots to gain from attending even if you are not a big drinker. The fairground is absolutely massive and a big crowd pleaser, which makes the event family friendly. The traditional clothing worn by many locals and non-locals alike can be very beautiful and adds to the traditional atmosphere. In the beer tents, which can house thousands of people each, you will find live entertainment, food (usually roast chicken and bread are the favourites), dancing (usually on the seats after a few drinks) and good conversation. Anti-social behaviour is rare and dealt with very quickly, so a relaxed atmosphere is guaranteed.
At the opening ceremony at the start of the Oktoberfest, the 12 local breweries who partake (only Munich breweries are allowed to take part in the festival) all form a horse-drawn procession from their individual premises to the Wiesn, carrying huge casks of their beer on wagons. Once the first keg is opened by the Munich Lord Mayor, the beerfest begins. Just over two weeks later the festivities are capped off with a fireworks display. In-between, the stats are impressive; check out how many chickens are eaten, beer drunk, women impregnated, people too drunk to find their way back to their hotel, etc. Very interesting indeed.
All in all, well worth the effort to visit Munich during this period. Be aware though that hotel prices and travel over these weeks is very expensive, so book well in advance. Alternatively, bring some camping gear. Check out www.talkmunich.com for more information and discussions on the Oktoberfest, cheap accommodation, local advice etc. One last piece of advice… the beer is served in 1 litre glasses called a Mass and the alcohol content is a lot higher than normal beer, usually about 2 times the amount. So be careful as it goes down far too easily… before you know it you will be sleeping on a park bench wondering where your hotel is.