Cheers to Oktoberfest-- Part 4: It's Huge in Munich

The German Beer Institute has these statistics about the annual Oktoberfest celebration in Munich.  Over six million attend it from all over the world.  They consume more than six million liters(1.75 million gallons of beer during the sixteen day event.  That's 30% of Munich's total beer production for the whole year.

Since 1950, Oktoberfest officially begins when Munich's mayor taps the first barrel of beer.

In Wisconsin, there are plenty of Oktoberfest beers to choose from A really good one is put out by Capital Brewery in Middleton (near Madison).  Their Oktoberfest brew is its most popular seasonal beer..

I love my Oktoberfest parties and, of course, those great Oom-Pah bands.

Oom-Pah Me.  --Cooter

Cheers to Oktoberfest-- Part 2: A History

On October 12, 1810, the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.  A crowd of 40,000 attended the wedding party which was held on the same land where today's Oktoberfest takes place in Munich.  Horse racing was the main attraction.

Everyone was impressed with the event, so much so that the anniversary of it was marked every year afterwards.  By 1814, beer stands were beginning to pop up and increased in number while the festivities were extended to several days.

This all fit in nicely with Bavaria's beer culture.

I'd sure like to go there, but really hate beer foam and every picture I've seen, the top fourth of those huge mugs.  Nothing against suds, but, you can't drink them.

--CootOkter