Hoppy Travels episode 1: Adventures in Oktoberfest
As Oktoberfest fades from my recent memory, I finally have my thoughts pulled together to tell all my BMore Brew Crew mates about this adventure. Oktoberfest has been on my to-do list for decades, ever since my cousin came home on leave from deployment in Germany and told me about all the food and festivities that occur during the weeks that it happens. And his stories did not disappoint when I made it into one of the world’s largest Volksfest (peoples festival). The crowds, the lights, the fair rides, the beer tents, and all the food lived up to what I thought and held a few surprises.
First off, a bit of background. Oktoberfest (or as locals refer to at as Wiesn, after the location), started off as a celebration in Oktober 17th of Crown Prince Ludwig I (not the mad king Ludwig II of Neuschwanstein fame) of Bavaria, and his bride Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The original started with a large horse race, and in the following years the party continued, showcasing the farming achievements of Bavaria.
As the years passed, carnival rides started to show up, the event lasted longer and longer, and in 1890’s the fest was moved to September due to allow for warmer days and better weather for everyone participating. Fast forward to today, and the event has over a hundred carnival rides and 12 beer tents (that yes, are set up and taken down just for this event). Each year the people of Munich welcome a few hundred thousand revelers from around the world to enjoy the occasion. I was able to meet and talk to people from around the world, Japanese, Australians, Daines, Americans and many more amazing people around the globe. The event is lighthearted, and reminds me of the Maryland state fair, just much, much larger. There are 6 breweries at the event, as only the 6 breweries in Munich are allowed to participate. They will have Dunkel, Festbier, and Marzen on tap, with a few others in bottles.
One of the main things that I was not expecting on top of the enormity of the event was that Oktoberfest is a major family event. Afterall it is a Volksfest and the majority of the festival grounds is setup for carnival rides and games of for all ages. Even in the beer tents families were a common sight, kids enjoying their rotisserie chickens (a fest favorite) and even teenagers with the ubiquitous 64-ounce beer glasses were common (Drinking age is 16, and it is enforced). But the festival carries that vibrance of the young running around with their parents or their friends, and everyone having a good time.
Another thing to know is Oktoberfest is also about food. From the pretzels to rotisserie chicken, to the braised ham hocks, there is a massive amount of food and places to eat within the festival. As you stroll through the fest you nose will be happy to smell all the various foods being prepared and eaten around you. Take time for all of the various candy-coated fruit, gummies, chocolate, and other calorie packing enjoyment. But remember that this is Europe, I averaged about 17 thousand steps a day, and I ended up losing a few pounds while over there.
In the end, the fest is about friends and family and creating those memories, I was happy to have 2 friends along and we had a great time exploring Munich, as well as some neighboring cities and locations. I do encourage you to go if you can. Take friends and family. Ride a roller coaster, the log flume, win a bear in a traditional outfit (they are everywhere, both being worn and for sale), get lost in carby goodness, and sing Sweet Caroline with six thousand of your newest friends in a tent. It’s an experience that is definitely worth the trip.
Are you hoping to go to Oktoberfest? Just some things to know!
1. Oktoberfest is free to enter, you only need to pay for ride tickets, and the usual food/beer.
2. Beer tents are also free! HOWEVER… I would get a reservation, there can be long lines to get in waiting for a seat (for hilarity, look up people running the gate in the morning to claim a table).
3. Book hotels EARLY. Hotels are usually booked up by mid-late January, I recommend going through a group to get a better hotel rate, and tent reservations.
4. Don’t stand on the tables! That is bad form, and it will get you kicked out.
5. Please don’t be one of the ones on “Drunk hill” you will be internet famous in a bad way.
6. Don’t go to drink. Though it is a great time with your tipsy friends with the food, the music (G&R carried the day at Hofbräu) but Munich is an amazing city, with the BMW factory/museum for gear heads, old architecture, glockenspiel at town hall, more food, museums and just sitting back and taking in the culture, you can even surf and take in a log raft ride on the local river.
7. Plan day trips – Bavaria is a beautiful area of Germany with the alps and farmland. Take time to see Neuschwanstein, a mountain top, or the many hikes or bike paths.
8. Try not to fly in and out of Munich, the airport will be extremely busy, and it is not designed very well. With the rail network it is very easy to fly into another airport and take the train into Munich’s main station, which is only blocks from the fest.
