Bitte Bier. Oktoberfest!

 Stop 7: Munich for Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest was the first stop that we’d actually planned before we left California. Not planned as in actually making arrangements, but just planned meaning that we knew we wanted to go.  And we knew we’d have to get there before October to actually see it (contrary to what the name would have you think).  Oktoberfest is a difficult thing to describe, so instead of our usual blog entry we thought we’d write a song.  And then we thought better of it, and instead have posted our favorite pictures. Along with a short attempt at describing the phenomenon!  You can click on any of the pics to see them larger.

There are 8 tents (three on the left above), representing the 8 beers brewed in Munich. Beer is only served in a Masse, a one liter stein. The waitresses carry up to 10 full masse of beer, making them lean very far back to offset the weight. Many Germans proudly brag that they drank 8 or 10 masse at Oktoberfest.  But it's not just a drinking binge - people young and old in Bavaria anticipate Oktoberfest and go at least a few times each year.  And the food is as delicious as the beer!  Giant pretzels, half hens, and sausage galore.

We went to the festival three times, each time being a very different experience. Our third trip was the last day of the festival, and we were surprised to see families bringing their children to sit along-side them for a day of drinking. Many kids looked bored and not sure of why their parents thought beer drinking to be so much fun. Quick aside - check out the 'stache below (top left).

 Now, despite in not being just a drinking binge, there was still plenty of that.  David decorated a passed-out reveler with bottles and flowers (center, above), and we ran into one guy skipping the bathroom line by using his beer stein (left, above).  For some of the carnival games, they use real guns (below).

 And here's the breakdown.


It's True! 

• Bavarians really wear Leiderhosen. Not just for Oktoberfest, but all year. Leiderhosen is worn instead of suits for formal events like weddings, church, and birthday parties. And during Oktoberfest it's totally appropriate to go to work in them
• Oompah music is played in all the tents, and the "beer wenches" really do rock the Saint Pauly Girl look.

Who Knew?

• Oktoberfest favorite songs are Country Road and Que Sera, Sera.
• There are no kegs. Beer is brought in their brewing barrel.  
• Oktoberfest brews are actually stronger than their regular counterparts...but despite that, very little vomiting is going on.  We saw more at Bluesapalooza!

Best Times: 

• Seeing Edgar for the first time since college 7 years ago! 
• Learning the Oktoberfest songs and singing them with complete strangers turned friends
• People and drindel watching

Best Laughs:

• Misreading the street address and almost breaking into the house next door to our AirBNB at midnight when we first arrived.
• Drunk guy trying to seduce Robin by ignoring the language barrier and blowing in her ear.
• Drunk girl stumbling past our table and grabbing a huge chunk of David’s pretzel as she walked by.
• Robin falling down on the conveyor belt ride (she would also like you to know that she was one of dozens….it moves REALLY fast!)  See the entertaining/sad video.

Best Eats:

• Sugar-coated roasted almonds
• Weisswurst and sweet mustard 
• Giant Bavarian pretzels
• A half roast chicken that we got for free with a coupon!  Free food always tastes better.
• Beer (that counts as a food at Oktoberfest)