Instant expert: Oktoberfest
The recipe for a good Oktoberfest is quite simple: Huge beer tents, parades, some guys in Lederhosen and girls in Dirndls, and a few contests. You're practically in Munich.
By Abby Wood
What is it? The original Oktoberfest is a centuries-old two-week festival held annually in Munich from late September to early October, attracting over six million people each year – making it officially the world's largest party.
Is it just an excuse to drink beer? First held to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810, it has since evolved into a non-stop drinking extravaganza showcasing the best beers in Germany.
Is there an art to it? There is. The beer for the official Oktoberfest is supplied by six German brewing companies known as the Big Six: Spaten, Löwenbräu, Augustiner, Hofbräu, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Initially, these were Marzen beers, dark lagers brewed at the end of the season in March and left to ferment until September. But that changed in 1872 when Spaten brewery introduced a Marzen-styled concoction created solely for the festival called Oktoberfestbier - now the name of all beer served at the festival. The five other breweries followed suit. These six breweries and their seasonal specialty brews remain the only beers consumed at the festival.
What makes a good festival? The recipe for a good Oktoberfest is quite simple. Huge beer tents serving bier are essential, as well as various types of greasy meats, like pork knuckle (yummy). Throw in some parades, some guys in Lederhosen and girls in Dirndls, and a few contests, and you're practically in Munich. Of course, when putting all these elements together some general debauchery is expected, hence the development of special tents for the drunk and sick.