From the third week of September to the first week of October, takes place the Oktoberfest, the famous beer festival in Munich, Germany. Visitors from around the world, crowd the streets and beer stands in the city every year for about two hundred years. To find out how to get into the Theresienwiese, the large lawn where the Oktoberfest is held, and all information on this year, read further. Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival in the world which attracts about 6.5 million visitors, this year begins and lasts until September 19 to October 4, 2015.
Many countries of Germany have their own beer festival, held usually in August or September. The most famous is undoubtedly the Oktoberfest in Munich which is called Wiesn. Apart from the traditional carousel with huge warehouses of the breweries, this festival is also a giant festival that includes many shows, parades and folk music of various types. The Mayor of the city of Munich of Bavaria opens it. Stitching the first mug of beer will speak the traditional phrase "O'zapft is" (The first keg is tapped).
Every year for two weeks, Munich in Bavaria becomes the world capital of beer and Oktoberfest, founded in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig who in 1825 rose to the throne as King Ludwig I married Princess Therese von Sachsen- Hildburghausen and later became the world's largest folk festival.
More than 6 million people flock to the huge stand located at the Theresienwiese (Therese's Meadow), a large open area on the outskirts of Munich about 1 km south-west the central station. Various stands, each decorated and furnished in a different way (you may want to visit them all to taste colors, music and atmosphere), they have a huge capacity. 7,000 seats in only one the Hofbrau and belong to the major breweries that for centuries they have their headquarters in Munich.
On 12 October 1812 the Bavarian Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I, grandfather of the famous Ludwig II who built the castles of Bavaria fabulous) married Princess Therese of Saxony and this wedding was the occasion of a great feast held in an area which at the time was still out of town, on a large lawn that has since called Theresienwiese (Theresa's Meadow). The party did the inhabitants of Munich and it was repeated the following year.
Thus was born a tradition that until now has not stopped, even if the character of the festival has changed a lot. At first the offer of rides was very limited and also the points of sale of beer were few. But towards the end of the 800, when the two protagonists of the first party were already dead for some time, the party gradually took on the characteristics of today: a giant carousel with real beer warehouses managed by the six largest factories Bavaria beer.
The Oktoberfest is open from Monday to Friday from 10 to 23:30, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (October 3) from 9 to 23.30. The beer is served until 22:30. The stand "Käfers Wiesnschänke" and "Weinzelt" close at 1 (the beer is served until 0:30). These stands are the most elegant and often frequented by celebrities. Tradition has it that on the day of the inauguration, the mayor of Munich at 12 o'clock opens the first barrel of beer in the new year with the famous phrase " O'zapft is!
The ceremony takes place on the stand in front of thousands of revelers Schottenhamel of Munich, tourists and cameras of TV from all over the world. The most convenient stop of the subway to go directly to the Oktoberfest is "Theresienwiese" (lines U4 and U5). As an alternative there is the stop "Goetheplatz" (lines U3 and U6).
The six major breweries in Munich will be present at Oktoberfest with 7 pavilions. The largest pavilion that of the Hofbräuhaus host as many as 10,000 visitors. In the Hall of the Spaten-Franziskaner will be offered an ox on the spit, a very popular specialty. In all halls beer comes from the containers, and only in that of the ' Augustiner from the barrels. Löwenbräu , Paulaner and Spaten also sell non-alcoholic beer.
Oktoberfest is a public holiday , open to all, as a sort of huge amusement park. You can do a spin freely in the various tents - with the exception of the stand that is historic, allowing free places to eat and drink. The stands of the different breweries are huge and can accommodate thousands of people in large wooden tables. All of the most popular beers in Munich have their own tent at the Oktoberfest. With orchestras atmosphere within them is typically Bavarian and fun is guaranteed! Make a place by booking your table in the "Festzelt"!
Do not miss the tents belonging to breweries oldest and most famous:Lowenbrau, Hofbrau (Munich is located in the center of the Hofbräuhaus, the most famous in the world!), Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr and Augustiner. The beauty of these stands also derives from the beautiful decorations that adorn the walls and ceilings and waitresses who dress according to the typical Bavarian costumes.
Since 2010, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest, is set up a ' nostalgic memory area in the southern area of Theresienwiese managed by the Augustiner. The stand historical - Oide Wiesn - allows you to enjoy the party as the nineteenth century, with special care and wine and the musical accompaniment. In addition to the marquee is an area dedicated to children with historical games. Oktoberfest , the largest folk festival in the world, was inaugurated in 1810 on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig - later King Ludwig I - with Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. This year 's Oktoberfest celebrates 200 now years. Over the years 24 " Celebrations "did not take place because of the war and in 1854 and in 1873 cholera epidemics prevented the preparation of the Beer Festival.
First of all technical information: mug of beer with means 1 glass containing 1 liter of beer and that is called " ein Maß "(pronounced mass-ain). The price is around 9.50 Euro. Of course you can also order half-liter steins but virtually all start from 1 liter. The special parking Oktoberfest Camping (-De Gasperi-Bogen, Munich) is reached by taking the A99 motorway until the intersection München-Ost and then the A94 until the exit Feldkirchen-West, following signs Messe / ICM (Fair of Munich). From here the Oktoberfest can be reached in about 20 minutes by subway U2 to Innsbrucker Ring, then U5 to Theresienwiese.
The inauguration of the festival begins with a parade of landlords and breweries. During the opening parade through the city until the " Theresienwiese ", where the festival takes place, the family of innkeepers daughters of floats decorated with flowers, the bands that will play later in the halls, the maids of picturesque wagons pulled by beautiful horses and wagons of individual breweries. Leading the parade will be the Münchner Kindl, the symbol of Munich who will lead the procession on horseback through the streets of the city. At its parade followed the chariot of the Mayor. The parade was held for the first time in 1887.
The first Sunday of Oktoberfest will take place on the parade of folk groups and the marksmen (riflemen and shooters). About 8,000 guests from Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Switzerland and other European countries will participate in the parade that will take place for about six kilometers. It's a real pleasure to watch the parade of historical uniforms, the marksmen, folklore groups with their picturesque costumes, local gangs and the magnificent horses. The parade of folk groups dates back to 1835 and was organized to celebrate the silver wedding of Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria.
Oktoberfest will take place on the second Sunday in an outdoor concert during which the band will perform with approximately 400 musicians participating in the festival. The final evening - which according to tradition will be held on Sunday as many as 60 marksmen seconded by the musicians of the "Pavilion of marksmen "shoot the prejudice of honor. This completes the largest folk festival in the world.
In the great plain of the Theresienwiese stands the monumental Ruhmeshalle with a central Bavaria, the bronze statue personifying Bavaria. This neoclassical temple was built in the mid-nineteenth century at the behest of King Ludwig I to honor the great Bavarian consisting of a series of marble busts. From the top you can admire a beautiful view sull'Oktoberfest and you can even climb inside the statue, watching the party from the eyes and Munich in Bavaria. Sunday, September 28th, at the foot of the statue of Bavaria, is held the usual concert of bands involved in the various stands. Beginning at 11 am in bad weather postponed until 3 October.
The parade to the input of the hosts , with the participation of about 1,000 people, takes place Saturday, September 20, 2014 starting at 10:50 along this route: Josephspitalstraße, Sonnenstraße, Schwanthalerstraße, Hermann-Lingg-Straße, Theresienwiese.
The parade of traditional costumes and shooters (marksmen), with the participation of about 8,000 people, takes place Sunday, September 21 from 10 am along this route that touches the old town and the district of the festival: Maximilianstraße Residenzstraße, Ludwigstraße (up the Galeriestraße), Odeonsplatz, Briennerstrasse Amiraplatz, Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strasse, Promenade Square, Pacellistraße, Lenbachplatz, Stachus Sonnenstraße, Schwanthalerstraße, Paul-Heyse-Straße, Georg-Hirth-Platz, Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz, Theresienwiese.
The costume parade was first organized in 1835 to celebrate the silver wedding of King Ludwig I and Queen Therese and later at events and special occasions. Only since 1948 is held annually and is one of the most anticipated events of the Oktoberfest. During the two weeks of Oktoberfest, local breweries in Munich organize special events, parties and after party. In particular, in the historic Löwenbräu (Stiglmaierplatz) every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 18.30 till dawn is recreated in Wiesnzelt the atmosphere of the tents of the beer festival with live music, renowned DJs, Bavarian cuisine and beer mugs at will.
The "Lager Muncher" is a special beer that is produced for centuries in Munich and is a bottom-fermented beer, as well as the "Marzen", drink beer during Oktoberfest and other famous German beers.
The Bavarian beers
Here are some of the best beers produced by breweries of Munich.
Augustiner
The Augustiner of Munich is a beer light in color, the taste of hops, intense and strong, dominating the other flavors and malt mellows the flavor. Ideal in combination with rice dishes.
The Augustiner brewery is located in Neuhauser Strasse 27. To get there: all S, U4/U5 stop Karlsplatz (Stachus)
Ayinger Brau-Weisse
This Weisse beer, hazy blond color, is produced in Ayinger , a town at the foot of the Alps, not far from Munich. The taste is pleasantly fruity aroma dominated by yeast and fine and persistent foam.
Lowenbrau
The Lowenbrau is one of the most famous breweries in Munich and its beer, brewed with spring barley, Hallertau hops and yeasts, is one of the protagonists of the Oktoberfest. The color of this is golden pilsner, hops dominate the flavor and the foam is abundant. It goes well with vegetable risotto.
The beer Löwenbräu is located in Nymphenburger Str 2 and is open daily from 11am until 1am.
To get there: U1, trams 20, 21 stop Stiglmaierplatz
EKU 28
The EKU 28 is produced in the city of Kulmbach, north of Nuremberg. His Dopperbock Lager has a dark amber color, a taste decidedly malty, fruity aroma and a compact and persistent foam. Due to its long maturation and the consequent high alcohol is recommended to accompany this doppiomalto with red meats and game.
Erdinger Weissbier
The Erdinger is considered the most important producer of Weizenbier for the use of yeast to high quality, instantly recognizable taste. Golden color, the foam and persistent and the smell of grain, this beer goes well with cheeses and cold cuts.
Franziskaner
The famous Franziskaner is one of the beers of Germany's oldest and is produced with carefully selected wheat and barley. Golden in color, this has a Weizenbier abundant and persistent foam and the nose smells of yeast. Its slightly bitter taste goes well with the typical Bavarian white sausages and smoked cheeses.
Hacker-Pschorr
Founded in 1820, this Weizenbier of Munich has a fruity aroma and a fine and persistent foam. The yeast dominates the flavor and aftertaste is a recognizable scent of smoked that accords with the pasta sauce and white meat.
HB Münchner Kindl
The Münchner HB is a typical example of lager produced in Munich. Golden, from compact foam, aroma of malt and sweet taste, ideal served with cold meats and boiled fish.
Paulaner Hefe Weissbier
The Paulaner brewery is the largest of Munich and his weisse is characterized by spontaneous fermentation and the taste slightly bitter. The foam is abundant and persistent, the golden color and the aroma is dominated by wheat, ideal to accompany a grilled freshwater fish.
The Paulaner brewery is located in Kapuziner Platz 5, and is open daily from 11 to 24. To get there: U3/U6 stop Goetheplatz, bus 58 Kapuzinerplatz
Paulaner Munchner
For the Münchner Lager Paulaner wheat harvest is used only in the vicinity of the factory to ensure freshness dl final product. Since those golden, from the abundant and persistent foam, delicate flavor and slightly bitter, it goes well with pork cooked in the oven.
The Paulaner brewery is located in Kapuziner Platz 5, and is open daily from 11 to 24. To get there: U3/U6 stop Goetheplatz, bus 58 Kapuzinerplatz
Spaten Munchen
The Spaten, an old brewery in Munich, now belong to the group Lowenbrau lager produces a golden yellow color and aroma of grass that is one of the most appreciated during Oktoberfest. The foam is fine and quite persistent and its slightly bitter taste goes perfectly with cheese.
Curiosity
The glasses
For the "lager" and "pils" is usually used glass "tulip", ideal for enhancing the properties of these types of beer. The famous "German stein" is the 1-liter glass of beer, called "ein Maß". For true fans, but also for those who want to have a typical souvenir Oktoberfest beer mugs are sold at the stands of the Theresienwiese.
Raddlermass
In Munich, when you do not want to overdo it you can order a Raddlermass, half a pint of beer and the other for gas.
Perhaps because of its size, today has lost some 'of its characteristics, or rather the typical features were a bit' fossilized. But despite the marketing of the event the party has still retained a certain charm, and if you've never gone, then get ready.