If you’re thinking about heading to Germany in October for the famous Oktoberfest, you’ll actually be a little late – because Oktoberfest traditionally takes place at the end of September and runs into the start of October. However, it’s a moveable feast within that time frame, so make sure to check the dates each year before you transport yourself to Munich, beer mug in hand!
Here are a few other fun facts about one of Germany’s best-known cultural institutions – despite its slightly touristy connotations these days, there’s a lot to enjoy in its traditions.
– There are only six local breweries that are officially allowed to serve beer at Munich’s Oktoberfest: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. All of them launch special Oktoberfest beers in advance of the event – if you’re lucky, you can even find some of them in specialist UK bottle shops.
– The beer style traditionally served at Oktoberfest is called Märzen, and is a more full-bodied, amber-coloured variety of lager.
– You’ll typically be served your beverage in a vessel known as a Maß (short for Maßkrug), which holds around a litre. It’s pretty typically Bavarian, so you’ll probably find that your beer comes in other shapes (such as slender Pilsner glasses) elsewhere in Germany.
– It’s not just beer at Oktoberfest these days – guests can also enjoy immersive games, a cinema and carnival rides (maybe not the wisest choice after a Maß or three…)
– Oktoberfest starts at 12 noon sharp with the mayor of Munich tapping the first barrel and announcing “O’zapft is!” (“It is tapped!” in Bavarian dialect) – although this tradition only dates back to the 50s.
Of course, Oktoberfest is now a popular German export too, popping up in cities across the world – so you might still get a chance to sample the festivities in a venue near you!