Munich Oktoberfest

[highoctane]

Maybe a shot in the dark, but anyone ever been to Oktoberfest in Munich? Since I am living in England right now, this is about as cheap as it is ever going to get for me and can't pass up the opportunity. I am specifically wondering if I should try and make the ceremony the first day, tapping of the first keg, and other festivities. Or if it really doesn't matter. Also, perhaps advice on how to actually get a table. I've heard there is etiquette regarding where to sit and who to buddy up with. Any advice from the experienced much appreciated.

Or if you plan on attending let me know.

Calendar of events for those interested: http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/article/Ab ... 2011/2300/

[Steelers&Beer]

get there early, don't go on a weekend, talk to the staff about what tables are reserved and the "rules" for getting served, follow the rules, and have a blast. make sure you know the words to "Country Roads" by John Denver. and make sure you eat. Make sure you know how to ask if they speak English in German if you don't know how to speak German. Have fun! Talk to everyone and drink motherfucker drink!!!!!

[yellowcolumbia]

Wife and I and another couple went in 2009, for the first two days. Opening day, we got there at ~0830, and the Schottenhamel tent where the mayor taps the first keg was full, with a line around the side of the building and across the street. The other tents we checked out were full as well, but no lines like at Schottenhamel. We skipped the line, and sat in the outdoor seating in front of the Schottenhamel tent. From there, you can get a good view of the parade into the tent, but don't get to see the tapping. At noon, when "O' zapft is!", the beer starts flowing. Would have been cool to see the tapping, but I'm fine without it.

With four of us the first day, it was pretty hard to get seats, other than our first ones when were were 4 hours early. The second day, with just my wife and I, it was quite a bit easier. We would just walk around, looking for a spot with a bit of room, and ask if there was room for the two of us. Got turned down several times, but did eventually get seats in every tent we wanted to hit.

So yeah, if you decide that you want to see the tapping, get there really really really early. Otherwise, just get there really early. I've heard that week days are quite a bit easier. Make sure you get a hendl; it was the best chicken I've ever had.

[highoctane]

Cool, thanks for the advice guys. Early...check.

My elbow only moves at one speed so hopefully I'm not too toasted by early afternoon.

[whoateallthepies]

I also went in 2009. We were driving around Europe at the time and we camped with the Fanatics at their campsite cos I had a couple of mates coming over from London.

All I can say is have fun, which is a pretty hard thing not to do there. Everyone is so friendly. You will meet people from all over the world, including stacks of Bavarians who really do get dressed up in leiderhosen and dirndls.

The best advice I can give, is if you need a deuce. Go to the spirits tent across the road from I think the Lowenbrau tent. Cleanest dunnies at the Oktoberfest. And no lines.

[Bobbo]

I've been to Muenchen for Oktoberfest 4 times. It's a wonderful experience. The food is great, the people are wonderful, and I really don't even need to mention the libations...

Even though there will be MASSIVE SWARMS OF PEOPLE, the language never seemed to be a barrier. It helps to know a little German, but people always find a way to communicate. If the person to your left doesn't speak English, the person to your right will probably speak some. Either way, be friendly and open and you will make more friends than you can imagine.

As far as getting a seat in the tents goes, it's really not difficult if you have the whole day devoted to the fest. By that, I mean get there early. Several hours before they start serving.... If your by yourself, it's probably easier to find a seat on the fly than if you are with a group... Finding a seat later in the day is usually a challenge, but you can sometimes get lucky. This being your first time to the fest, you will be faced with the need to explore and see all the sites. You don't really want to be tied down to a table all day. You will miss out on so much. If you are going for more than a day or two, I'd suggest just taking the first day and exploring.

After consuming so much beer, you will certainly want to use the outside facilities. I believe on the East side of the grounds, they have an outdoor pisser. There are walls for privacy, but it's open air. Believe me, the vapor of the indoor facilities is enough to kill you....

Be careful of intoxicated people coming off of carnival rides... they often come out running... can't steer... and lose control of the contents of their stomachs very easily.

Regardless of where you are staying, public transportation is very good. I've always found the bahn (train) to be most cost effective for getting to the fest, except for the times when we stayed at The Bavarian which is only a few blocks away. Agreed with the previous poster, be up on your John Denver songs.

Learn to pace yourself as well. By 3:00pm, you will begin to see those that could not pace themselves on the ground around the edge of the fest.... sleeping... puking.... sleeping in puke... or worse. I don't mean to paint an ugly picture, but this kind of event separates the men from the boys.

Don't smoke? Carry a pack of cigs with you anyhow. You'll be asked by a few dozen people if you have a smoke, or a light. You'd be suprised how many people will buy you a beer when you just helped them get through their nicotine craving.

There is a huge world outside the fest... Make sure you get over to the Augustiner-Brau for dinner. There is one over just East of the Karlsplatz bahn stop, and there is another, close to the fest near the Hackerbruke stop. Make sure you try the schweinshaxe.

If you get off at the Marienplatz bahn stop you can check out the Glockenspiel. A block East is a great outdoor market. A block West and North is a good cigar shop with real cubans. (if you like cigars, it will save you a great deal to go here rather than buying them at the fest)

I could go on.... Have a great time. Wish I was going back...

B

[highoctane]

Just wanted to cap this thread and say that the amount of drinking at Oktoberfest is completely absurd. I managed a table opening night, and if it wasn't for a couple German friends who camped out at 6am outside the Augustiner tent, there would not have been a chance of getting a table. But being in there, at a table with locals, was something else. I am actually incapable of describing what I saw and experienced. It really is a must experience thing for anyone who likes festivals, happy foreigners, and copious amounts of beer.

I wish I had taken pictures, but glad I left the camera home for this event. I was walking around the first day and rolling my eyes at the paramedics and stretchers outside of every tent. Until we started drinking, then I realized, they are in fact very much needed. Other Europeans call it Beerfest, I think it is a more fitting name...