If beer is your poison, Munich is the place to find salvation. When Bavarian beauties carry frothy beer steins; people indulge in gluttony over grilled chicken; live jigs pep up the mood, and beer patrons turn into ‘beer corpses’, you know you are attending Oktoberfest. It’s a victory of gaiety over sobriety. More importantly, this 16-day drink fest makes it really hard not to get carried away. So, if you are in Munich this fall, learn how to say ‘Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit’ and enlighten yourself with interesting facts about this congregation of hedonists.
#1. Which is the only beer tent that serves beer from the wooden kegs? The answer is Augustiner, which is actually the name of the oldest brewery in Munich. There’s a classic feel to the place that still retains its rustic charm. Around 8,500 revelers can raise a toast together in one of the most friendliest tents during the Oktoberfest.
Ochsenbraterei is a 7400-seater tent that will celebrate its 135th presence at the 2015 Oktoberfest.
#2. Ochsenbraterei is a 7400-seater tent that will celebrate its 135th presence at the 2015 Oktoberfest. The figure of an over-sized ox at the entrance is very suggestive. The place offers a huge variety of oxen specialties. Once you have a look at the menu and see people around you, you will believe the story that has been doing rounds: between 70 and 90 oxen are consumed during the festival. There’s hardly anyone who has visited the tent and not tried the Ox Burger.
#3. You are not served beer during Oktoberfest, what you get is a special ‘Oktoberfestbier’. It has higher alcohol content and tad sweeter than the lager you get in any German pub. This amber drink is not for amateur drinkers. Step aside and make way for the seasoned ones.
Every Tuesday is a ‘Oktoberfest Family Day’ when the entire family try fun rides at a discounted price.
#4. The carnival is not just for beer fanatics. Kids also have a generous share of the pie. The little ones can take a ride in the Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and join traditional parades open to people of all ages. Every Tuesday is a ‘Oktoberfest Family Day’ when the entire family try fun rides at a discounted price.
#5. Beer makes you forget your worries, your hats, glasses, wedding rings, and even your dentures. Every year, thousands of interesting items get lost, not to be sought any more.
#6. Well, when you are in Munch, express your love as the Bavarians do. It doesn’t need a keen observer to find out people exchanging gingerbread hearts as gifts with someone they love and admire.
These breads, which are worn around the neck, come with thoughtful quotations, but the easy winner is the one that says “Ich liebe Dich” (I Love You).
#7. Albert Einstein, during his growing up years in Munich, had once worked as an electrician to help his brothers light up the beer tents for Oktoberfest. Ever since the festival got the genius touch, it never looked back.
#8. Oktoberfest is no more a local festival confined within the periphery of Munich. It has spread far and wide. Some of its famous clones could be seen in Canada (Waterloo, Ontario), Brazil (Blumenau), Australia (Brisbane), and the US (Ohio and Colorado).
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