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Oktoberfest

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RamblingRose
RamblingRose
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5 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Oktoberfest

  • January 7, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Roozie from Los Angeles, California
Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is something I have always wanted to go to. I didn't know that it was about more than just beer- it was like the world's largest carnival, but with people cruising around in lederhosen and cutesy low cut dresses. The food was delicious and no matter where we went, the chicken was to die for. This is the only place I have ever been where public drunkenness was actually encouraged and no one went over the top.

The beer tents were phenomenal. Thousands of people pack into them, and there is no room unless you get there early. We never got there early enough! And some tables are even reserved, but you probably have to actually speak German to make that magic happen. We made do with sitting outside, which wasn't so bad until it rained, then the beer tents were more crowded than ever. There were times that people were standing on tables and singing songs, the most puzzling of which was "I had the time of my life" from Dirty Dancing. People would spontaneously break out into that song. It would catch on like the wave and before you knew it, the entire tent would be shouting it at the top of their lungs. It was baffling.

There are tons of waitresses wandering around and taking orders. It helps to try and speak German even if you aren't very good at it. The Germans really appreciate the effort.

The beers and pretzels were bigger than my head, and a little intimidating but I gave it my best shot. At 5 foot 2 I got tore up pretty quick and had to slow it down, so I started getting Radlers instead, which is kind of like 7 Up and beer. Whatever it was, it was delicious. The pretzels were perfect- crunchy and salty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Add a little bit of mustard and ahhhh... perfect!

There are all kinds of beer tents, rides, and vendors selling souvenirs and hats. My favorite things were the hats. Some of them were very creative. They also sold cookies to wear around your neck, Flavor-Flav style. They all had different things written in frosting on them, but since I don't speak German I went with something safe- "Oktoberfest". Everyone was wearing them, and tons of people were dressed in traditional Bavarian dress.

We hit up several beer tents, but our favorite was Hacker-Pschorr. It was done up in bright colors and had the largest outdoor patio, and was close to the bathrooms.

The bathrooms are set up specifically for Oktoberfest, so don't expect a hard foundation (and sometimes not even a toilet seat). They are also pay bathrooms and there is usually a cleaning attendant outside taking the money. It doesn't cost much though and I usually overtipped them because they had to work while everyone else was having such a good time.

From journal Oktoberfest Madness

Oktoberfest

  • October 12, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by fish388 from Cincinnati, Ohio
Oktoberfest

This is the largest and longest-lasting party that I have ever seen, with about 6 million people over 16 days. The beer drinking is done in the tents only. Seating in each is approximately 8,000 and meals are also served. Outside is food, souvenirs, and amusements. On the weekend we tried to get a seat inside a tent but were unable, so we settled for a seat outside in the small beer garden of one tent on Sunday. Monday during the day it was easy to get a seat inside. Try to leave before closing time if you want to avoid the largest crowding.

From journal Our Second Trip to München

Editor Pick

Octoberfest

  • September 8, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Sunskin from Jacksonville, Florida
Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer bash. In fact, it's the largest gathering of any festival, averaging a whopping 6.8 million visitors per year. Visitors from all over the globe consume 5.5 to 6.0 million litres of Bavaria's best local bier. The breweries are Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Hofbrauhaus, and Lowenbrau. All are good in their own way. My personal favorite is Augustiner, which is definitely the most popular with local Bavarian folk. I also love Paulaner. With 14 large bier and wine tents to visit, countless carnival type rides and games along the midway, and excellent food, there is no place I would rather be. The Hofbrau tent, or zelt, is the largest, accommodating close to 11,000 at capacity. The Hippodrom, serving Spatenbrau, is open the latest, till 1am most nights. The festival runs from the third Saturday in September till the first Sunday in October each year. Definitely 16 days of fun! Get there early, even during the week, as seats in the large bier tents go very fast. Hours for the 16 day event are 10:30 or 11am till 10:30pm each night. Beers are served in litre or Mas glasses and will cost approximately 7€ to 8€ in 2005.

From journal A Stroll Around a Bavarian Gem

Oktoberfest München

  • April 2, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by fish388 from Cincinnati, Ohio
Oktoberfest München

The largest festival in the world is not just about the food and drinks, as a large part of the grounds are occupied by amusement rides. Another thing to keep in mind is that beer can only be purchased if you are seated at one of the beer-tent tables and cannot be removed from that tent.

While the large grounds are crowded in the evening, the people will not be spilling beer on you as you walk around. Only the six München brauerei may serve beer on the festival grounds. The grounds are easily accessible by numerous means.

Beer is served until 10:30 and closing is at 11pm.

From journal First Trip to Bavaria

Oktoberfest

  • September 23, 2003
  • Rated 5 of 5 by vivalastephie from Boston, Massachusetts
Oktoberfest

Arriving at the park and seeing the rides and tents was such a surprise--it was so much larger than I had imagined. Sitting on the balcony in the Paulaner tent gave us a great view of the whole place, with everyone standing on the benches hoisting their mugs. We went three nights in a row and had a different experience each time. Singing and dancing with people from all over the world was such fun, and everyone we met was friendly, even if we couldn't speak the same language.

From journal Oktoberfest in Munich

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