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Drink The World's Best Beer at Munich's Oktoberfest
Published by Bill Lehane, Writer
Country: Germany 
The Experience
Undoubtedly the world's most famous beer festival, Munich's Oktoberfest draws a remarkable six million visitors each year. The 16-day festival celebrating Bavarian beer and culture has become something of a rite of passage for any young European who likes a beer, and attracts plenty of travelers from further afield as well.
Oktoberfest history dates back to 12 October 1810, when crowds were invited to a meadow in the city to celebrate the wedding of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. It subsequently became an annual fair that initially included horse races and agricultural conventions. Local businessmen working with city breweries created the first massive beer tent in 1896, and the festival has been all about beer ever since. The area where that famous wedding was held 200 years ago has since been renamed Theresienwiese in honor of the bride, and remains the venue for the festival to this day.
The modern Oktoberfest boasts about 15 tents, each offering the beer of a different German brewery as well as other local treats to eat. The most famous tent is probably the Schottenhamel tent, where the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg at the stroke of midday on the first day to open the festivities. When you hear him exclaim, 'O'zapft is' ('It's tapped'), the beer will begin to flow around the festival.
Other well known tents include Hofbrau-Fezelt, where the famous Hofbrau beers are served, and the Augustiner-Festhalle, which is the favorite of most locals because of its popular Augustiner brews and the fact that it uses wooden kegs instead of steel vats. If somehow you arrive at the festival without a taste for Oktoberfest beer, there's also the Weinzelt tent, which offers 15 different kinds of wine.
Of course you're bound to get hungry sooner or later, especially given all that beer. Be sure to try some of the Bavarian speciality dishes that abound at Oktoberfest - look out on the menu for favorites like sauerkraut, himmel and erde (blood sausage with pureed apples and potatoes), schlachtplatte (mixed sausage plate), hassenpfeffer (rabbit stew) and of course the schweinshaxe (pork knuckle). You'll definitely become fast friends with the festival's large pretzels, which arrive at your table lassoed around your next beer.
While you're at Munich's Oktoberfest you're sure to meet plenty of locals and visitors dressed up for the occasion in the traditional clothes, known as lederhosen for men and dirndl for women. There's also likely to be plenty of Bavarian rock and pop music performances around the festival, so be prepared to listen even if you don't like German music! In the unlikely event of you getting tired of drinking beer, there's also a funfair at the festival with a ferris wheel, roller coaster and other Oktoberfest games. Prost!
Oktoberfest history dates back to 12 October 1810, when crowds were invited to a meadow in the city to celebrate the wedding of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. It subsequently became an annual fair that initially included horse races and agricultural conventions. Local businessmen working with city breweries created the first massive beer tent in 1896, and the festival has been all about beer ever since. The area where that famous wedding was held 200 years ago has since been renamed Theresienwiese in honor of the bride, and remains the venue for the festival to this day.
The modern Oktoberfest boasts about 15 tents, each offering the beer of a different German brewery as well as other local treats to eat. The most famous tent is probably the Schottenhamel tent, where the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg at the stroke of midday on the first day to open the festivities. When you hear him exclaim, 'O'zapft is' ('It's tapped'), the beer will begin to flow around the festival.
Other well known tents include Hofbrau-Fezelt, where the famous Hofbrau beers are served, and the Augustiner-Festhalle, which is the favorite of most locals because of its popular Augustiner brews and the fact that it uses wooden kegs instead of steel vats. If somehow you arrive at the festival without a taste for Oktoberfest beer, there's also the Weinzelt tent, which offers 15 different kinds of wine.
Of course you're bound to get hungry sooner or later, especially given all that beer. Be sure to try some of the Bavarian speciality dishes that abound at Oktoberfest - look out on the menu for favorites like sauerkraut, himmel and erde (blood sausage with pureed apples and potatoes), schlachtplatte (mixed sausage plate), hassenpfeffer (rabbit stew) and of course the schweinshaxe (pork knuckle). You'll definitely become fast friends with the festival's large pretzels, which arrive at your table lassoed around your next beer.
While you're at Munich's Oktoberfest you're sure to meet plenty of locals and visitors dressed up for the occasion in the traditional clothes, known as lederhosen for men and dirndl for women. There's also likely to be plenty of Bavarian rock and pop music performances around the festival, so be prepared to listen even if you don't like German music! In the unlikely event of you getting tired of drinking beer, there's also a funfair at the festival with a ferris wheel, roller coaster and other Oktoberfest games. Prost!
When to Go to Oktoberfest Munich
As well as Oktoberfest, there are a number of other attractions in the Munich area. Chief among them is probably the Neuschwanstein Castle, a beautiful 19th Century Bavarian palace that sits on a hill outside the city and is the most photographed building in all of Germany. Beer drinkers will particularly appreciate the Andechs Monastery, a Benedictine monastery and brewery on top of a hill known as the Holy Mount, where you'll find a both a brewery pub with fantastic open air seating and monastery restaurant.
Odds n' Ends
While ordering a beer at without speaking German isn't exactly complicated, any use of the local language will be appreciated, just like in most parts of the world. For example, the liter mug your Oktoberfest beer comes in is called a 'mass', 'prost' means cheers and 'danke' or 'danke schon' is thanks or thank you.
If you plan on attending Munich's beer festival, to make it the best Oktoberfest experience possible, be aware that it is somewhat of an endurance challenge. Each tent gets full with all-day drinkers very early on, and while it's free to get into Oktoberfest in most cases you will need a seat in order to buy a beer. Get to your chosen tent before 10am to guarantee a spot on a bench, and know that if you leave it will be taken when you get back!
If you plan on attending Munich's beer festival, to make it the best Oktoberfest experience possible, be aware that it is somewhat of an endurance challenge. Each tent gets full with all-day drinkers very early on, and while it's free to get into Oktoberfest in most cases you will need a seat in order to buy a beer. Get to your chosen tent before 10am to guarantee a spot on a bench, and know that if you leave it will be taken when you get back!
Want a Guide?
- Oktoberfest Tours
- This company offers four-day weekend packages including hotel, food, day trips and tent reservations at the festival from US$1,150 per person.
- Oktoberfest Pub Crawl
- This tour is one for those who just can't get enough - the 12-night tour takes in the festival plus two other German cities, Maria Alm in Austria and Prague, with no sightseeing whatsoever! US$2,700 per person.
- Oktoberfest 5 Day Coach/Camp
- This tour represents great value for anyone traveling from the UK to the festival. Coach, ferry, tent and day trips are included in this five-day tour for US$350 per person.
Places to Eat
- Hofbrauhaus
- This huge pub is also one of Munich's oldest and most famous breweries. Upstairs you'll find a great selection of Bavarian cuisine - treat yourself to half a roast chicken for US$11.
- Oktoberfest
- As well as all the beer, there are a number of eating tents at the festival, serving Bavarian favorites such as the famous pork knuckle, rabbit stew, sauerkraut, roast chicken and much more.
- Bayerischer Donisl
- This traditional restaurant has been open for more than 200 years in the central Marianplatz area. Enjoy Bavarian specialties and local beer, as well as the great view of the Frauenkirche cathedral.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Hotel Senator
- This three-star hotel is eminently suitable for maximum inebriation, given that it's right outside the main gate of the festival. Prices during Oktoberfest start at US$100 for a single room.
- Hotel Mariandl
- This hotel-pension is a great option for the Oktoberfest, given that it's only a few minutes from the festival and is located above a restaurant and jazz bar. A double room with toilet and shower on the corridor is US$140 per night.
- Camping Thalkirchen
- One of the most popular ways to visit Munich is by camping - tents are provided on site at this massive camping area 4km outside Munich, with rates only US$6.40 per person per night.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
The Hotel Seibel is located in Munich's Maxvorstadt, a short stroll to Augustiner Bräu. It provides good-value accommodation with free Wi-Fi access. Munich city centre ... 0 miles away
$49 EUR+
The 3 star hotel Krone in Munich is well known for its personal atmosphere with 30 rooms-Each room offers a bathroom-minibar-satellite TV-telephone and WIFI internet ... 0 miles away
$54 EUR+
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More Experiences Nearby
- Drink a Mass at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich
- Drinking a mass at the Hofbrauhaus delivers a delicious taste of Germany! This definitive Munich experience provides everything you'd expect when you think of Bavaria: oompah bands, lederhosen, and beer, all done in a big way. Waitresses whiz about the bustling hall balancing several 1 litre beer steins on a tray, as if it's nothing at all. The noisy chatter of over 4,000 thirsty patrons mixes with the catchy music coming from the lederhosen clad band. Looking around the Hofbrauhaus, you'll see people from all over the world, and undoubtedly, they will be laughing, smiling and enjoying a brew. The ...2 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Due to the World War II bombings by the Royal Air Force, there is little evidence left of Hitler and the Nazi party's presence, however ...1.53 miles away via Munich.
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