Think about Oktoberfest in the German city of Munich and the mental images that start queuing up are of a huge gathering of people, often dressed in traditional Bavarian attire, consuming lots of beer, eating pretzels and singing, though not necessarily all at the same time.
But while beer does play the lead role in the three-week-long celebration, there are a few more interesting facts to it than most commonly know. My other half being a born and raised Bavarian, he lets me in on a few lesser-known bits of information about Bavaria’s biggest annual event.
Origins
For starters, while Oktoberfest now starts in September, it used to kick off in October. The dates were changed because the weather is milder in September – still, Oktoberfest always ends on the first Sunday in October.
Strangely enough, Oktoberfest originated as a wedding. On October 12, 1810 Prince Ludwig (who went on to become King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The event was so grand that the people of Munich were invited to join in the celebrations. The crowning event, if you’ll forgive the pun, were the horse races, held in the newlyweds’ honour. It was precisely these horse races that led to the event becoming a regular one. While horse races are not a regular feature at Oktoberfest, one is held every 50 years.
Clothes
While it’s common to see people at Oktoberfest dressed in lederhosen (leather breeches) and dirndls (a bodice, blouse, full skirt and apron), these only came back into fashion as recently as the 1980s and 1990s. These outfits originally became the traditional garb of attendees in 1887 when Oktoberfest was opened with a parade led by the mayor and other civic leaders, followed by horse-drawn brewers’ carts, bands and townspeople wearing the costumes.
Food and drink
Until the mayor officially opens the beer fest, no food or drink is available. The mayor must open the first cask. To do this he uses a hammer in order to slap the tap out of which beer flows into the cask. It’s believed that to be a good mayor you should be able to hammer this in two or three strokes. The pressure is on for the mayor and many have been reputed to get some training so as not to look mediocre in front of the thousands of people who attend the opening ceremony.
Then, the feast of wursts of beef, chicken, veal, or pork, slices of beef, pieces of chicken, sauerkraut, potato salad, cabbage, onions and pretzels can begin.
The beer is a bit stronger than regular Munich beer – instead of the more common five to 5.5 per cent (always depending on the brewery) of alcohol, Oktoberfest beer is usually about one per cent stronger. While beer is drunk out of glass mugs (or steins), these were actually originally made out of clay. Look out for the bartending ladies who can carry up to 10 steins at a go.
Rides
While many visit Oktoberfest for the beer, a lot also go for the rides. There are about 80 rides, run by families, most of whom have been working for the fest since the early 20th century. If you are a fan of fun rides, carousels and the like, Oktoberfest holds joy without end for you. One of the oldest rides is the Krinoline, a nostalgic merry-go-round. Until the 1930s this used to be operated using manpower.
Paris Hilton
Not the first name that comes to mind when you think of Oktoberfest. After the American socialite showed up in 2006 in her skimpiest dirndl to promote a brand of canned wine, without having made any arrangement with the organisers, she was met with such public outrage that she was banished from ever returning.
If you’re visiting
More than six million people attend Oktoberfest every year. Weekends are understandably very busy, so it’s a good idea to try going on a weekday during lunchtime, when it’s not so crowded. It’s also advisable to go early when you stand a better chance of getting a table. Better still, make a reservation in advance.
Oktoberfest in numbers
• 1.8m: The number of gallons of beer consumed
• 205: This year will mark Oktoberfest’s 205th anniversary
• 4,000: That’s how many lost and found items were reported in 2013
• 10,000: The number of people that the largest tent – Hofbrau-Festhalle – can accommodate.