Oktoberfest season is upon us! It’s a time for sausage, pretzels, lederhosen, dirndls, Bavarian flags, and most famously, beer. It is not uncommon to see your local downtown German restaurant or brewery covered in blue and white checkered flags and have large picnic tables surrounded by revelers. The steady thump of a tuba sets the pace for the Oom-pah band (named after the characteristic sound of traditional Bavarian music) as people clad in lederhosen and dirndls (traditional Bavarian attire) hoist steins or glass boots filled with amber-hue beer in celebration.
A man and woman wearing traditional German attire at Oktoberfest.
Photo Credit: Jessica Warren
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The festival originates with a party held in celebration of a royal marriage. On October 12, 1810, Kronprinz Ludwig (later King Ludwig I of Bavaria) married the Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Munich. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the wedding festivities held on Theresienwiese (Theresa’s Meadow), which had been renamed in honor of the Crown Princess. The celebration proved so popular the town decided to host the party again in 1811. This party eventually became an annual event known to the locals of Munich as Oktoberfest. Also, why is it spelled with a K? It’s pretty simple, the month of October is spelled with a K in the German language. Most non-German festivals keep this spelling to honor its German roots.
Oktoberfest is officially held in Munich from September 17 until the first Sunday in October or October 3rd, whichever comes later. The multitude of other Oktoberfest celebrations around the world occur roughly within this time frame. From 1811 on, Oktoberfest grew in popularity. The festival grew to include live concerts, carnival rides, an agricultural fair, horse races, and the famous beer tents. If there is one thing Oktoberfest is most famous for, it is beer. In fact, roughly 7.5 million gallons of beer are consumed each year at the Munich Oktoberfest alone!
Beer at the Munich Oktoberfest falls into a very specific category. Beers served must adhere to the German Rheinheitsgebot (the German law that defines the ingredients of beer), be brewed within the city limits of Munich, and fall under one of two styles known as Marzen or Festbier.
- Marzen (or March Beer) is the traditional beer of the Munich region. It is deep amber in color, features subtle amounts of German hops, and typically has an alcohol content between 5 to 6.5% alcohol by volume.
- Festbier is nearly identical to Marzen, except that it is noticeably lighter in color. This light color also makes the beer a bit less sweet and much more quaffable.
A stein filled with Marzen.
Photo Credit: Alex Butterbaugh
Many American craft breweries produce their own versions of beers for their own Oktoberfest celebrations. In addition to these two beers, it is highly likely you will find locally brewed versions of other German-style beers such as Weissbier, pilsner, bock, and others!
Furthermore, typical activities include stein hoisting, traditional German dancing and music, outfit contests, and a German-inspired food menu.
So, don your lederhosen or dirndl, grab a stein and pretzel and find your local Oktoberfest Celebration!
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.
FAQs
Oktoberfest, annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period and ending on the first Sunday in October. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
What does the mayor say when he opens Oktoberfest? ›
O'zapft is!
This phrase is what the mayor of Munich shouts out every year to mark the start of Oktoberfest – and of course that is after he has successfully hammered a tap into the very first keg of beer.
What is the saying at Oktoberfest? ›
"O'zapft is!"
A Bavarian saying and the official call for the start of Oktoberfest. It means the beer has been tapped. Without this phrase, Oktoberfest doesn't begin and you don't get your beer and pretzels. Listen for this phrase during the first day and enjoy!
What is the most important thing on Oktoberfest? ›
Beer Tents
One of the most important things about Oktoberfest are the tents (which are more like permanent looking warehouses than tents). There are fourteen of them scattered around the fair grounds, mostly along the main avenue. Every tent has a different personality.
What is the true story behind Oktoberfest? ›
Oktoberfest's roots can be traced back to 1810 in Munich, which is in the Bavarian region of Germany. On October 12th of that year, the future King Ludwig got married and invited the entire city to attend the celebration, which included a large feast and horse races.
Is Oktoberfest just about drinking? ›
Contrary to popular belief held by foreigners, Oktoberfest is not all about the beer. In fact in Germany it's not even considered a beer festival, but rather a traditional folk festival for the entire family (you'll even see parents pushing prams!).
What do Germans say before drinking? ›
Prost! Translation: Cheers! Toss on an “Ein Toast!” at the end to encourage a celebratory “bottoms up!” before drinking your Märzen with friends.
What do Germans chant at Oktoberfest? ›
Very often, Ein Prosit is followed by the simple toast, “Oans, zwoa, drei, gsuffa!”, which means, “one, two, three, drink”.
What is the Oktoberfest rule about beer? ›
OKTOBERFEST BEERS AND GERMAN PURITY LAWS
German Purity Laws date from 1516 and mean that beers in Germany can legally only contain hops, barley, water and yeast. This mean that the beers are clean, no bad crap in it that will make you feel extra hungover the next morning.
What do German locals call Oktoberfest? ›
If you want to fit in with the locals, DON'T call it Oktoberfest. Instead, you go to the “Wies'n”. This is actually a nickname for the place where Oktoberfest is actually held - Theresienwiese in central Munich.
Kellner /Kellnerin. German for Beer Maids and Beer Waiters. Staff at Oktoberfest Munich have to be incredibly tough!
What is the main song of Oktoberfest? ›
All of Munich's Oktoberfest Music features traditional German bands and every 10 or 20 minutes they break into a song called Ein Prosit.
Can you just walk into Oktoberfest? ›
Is the entrance to the Oktoberfest free? The Oktoberfest doesn't cost to enter; anyone can wander through the venue without needing a ticket.
What is the point of Oktoberfest? ›
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The festival originates with a party held in celebration of a royal marriage. On October 12, 1810, Kronprinz Ludwig (later King Ludwig I of Bavaria) married the Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Munich.
Why do they call it Oktoberfest? ›
The original Oktoberfest was, in fact, held in October—on October 17, 1810, to be exact, in honor of the nuptials a few days earlier of Bavarian crown prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
How important is Oktoberfest? ›
Every September, Munich hosts the largest folk festival in the world. Here's how the tradition got started. Every year, millions of revelers descend on a tent-filled meadow in Munich to celebrate the love of long-ago Bavarian royals at a celebration known as Oktoberfest.
What are the symbols of the Oktoberfest? ›
On white background symbols of Oktoberfest: mug beer, pretzel, tyrolean hat and maple leaf.
Why does Germany celebrate Oktoberfest in September? ›
"Because the weather in October was usually already cooler and the days are significantly shorter, one let the Oktoberfest begin in September," according to the festival's website. "Since 1872, (it has) always (been held) on the first Saturday after September 15 until the first Sunday in October."
What is unique about Oktoberfest? ›
It is forbidden to drink any beer other than Munich-brewed beer at Oktoberfest. The beer must have been brewed in the city walls and come from one of six special history breweries. This is designated “o*ktoberfestbier” - and all of the breweries are very very proud to be making it!
