Oktoberfest GUIDE © ADOBE STOCK OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | HISTORY WILHELM VON KOBELL/PUBLIC DOMAIN Oktoberfest Time Line Break out the buttery 1880 minister president of Bavaria. Electricity was introduced to the pretzels and the icy Oktoberfest, which included 400 1960 brews, it’s time for booths and tents. The last year of the horse races, and the first year lederhosen and dirndl Oktoberfest. But how 1881 were picked as the official garments. did this celebration of Bratwurst makes its first appearance. all things German come 1980 DIGITAL CAT FROM MÜNCHEN, BAVARIA/CREATIVE COMMONS 1892 Terrorists plant a pipe bomb at the about? The people at Beer is served in glass mugs. main entrance of the festival. More than 200 people were injured and 13 Kegerator (who know a 1914-1918 killed. thing or two about beer) Oktoberfest canceled due to World War I. 2005 put together a history. Quiet Oktoberfest hours are intro- 1919-1920 duced to curb the hard partying and Keep reading for some milestones in Oktoberfest replaced by a smaller make a family-friendly time for visiting. the life of the Oktoberfest. autumn festival after World War I. © ADOBE STOCK 2008 OCT. 17, 1810 1939-1945 A smoking ban at Oktoberfest causes The first Oktoberfest didn’t have any- Oktoberfest after it grew large enough Oktoberfest canceled because of unrest. Several politicians are voted out thing to do with beer at all. Instead, it to include contests and carnival World War II. It was again followed by a of office. was a wedding reception for Prince booths. smaller autumn festival at the war’s Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese Soon after, it turned into a 16-day end. 2010 of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Everyone festival from late September through For the Oktoberfest’s 200th anniver- enjoyed the party so much, the happy the first weekend of October. 1950 sary, horse races returned and a special couple suggested making it an annual Two new traditions start: The 12-gun beer was brewed. event. 1850 salute and the official tapping of the The statue of Bavaria was unveiled first keg at noon, when the mayor of 2011 1819 and has watched over Oktoberfest ever Munich will scream “O’zapft is!”, tap A record 7.5 million liters of beer is The city of Munich takes over since. the keg and serve the first mug to the served. OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | ATTIRE What Are Lederhosen, Anyway? Those funny pockets, a hip pocket, a knife pocket and a drop front. For looking green Oktoberfest, the wearer may shorts became the also done haverlschuhe, or stockings, and a classic white official costume of shirt. the Oktoberfest in DIRNDL 1960. But, they’re This is the feminine version way more than just of lederhosen, the dirndl is also based on Alpine peasant wear. a weird costume. The skirt is a light circular cut, Here’s more about gathered at the waist, and fall- ing below the knee. It is worn lederhosen, the with a bodice and a blouse with official costume of short, puffed sleeves, and usual- ly an apron. For the winter, the Oktoberfest. dirndl includes heavy skirts and thick fabrics, designed for warmth. Colors and accessories HARD WORK, vary from region to region and SHORT PANTS even town to town. The knee-length deerskin shorts were originally worn OTHER ACCESSORIES during hard physical work, What’s a festival without a where they were more durable stylish chapeau? Tirolerhute, or than fabric pants. Popularity of Bavarian hats, are popular the traditional work clothes during Oktoberfest. The jaunty dropped off sharply in the 19th little hat is crowned with a tuft century, considered uncouth of chamois hair, once highly peasants’ clothes. prized. The more or bigger tufts In the 1880s, clubs formed in you had, the richer you were. Munich and other cities that Now, of course, imitation cham- sought to preserve traditional ois hair makes this a poor gauge rural clothing. It was then that of wealth. the garment, previously worn You can see all this pomp and throughout central Europe, finery on display on parade became closely associated with during the Oktoberfest on the Bavaria. first festival Sunday. Participants in a glittering array of historical FESTIVAL GEAR costumes march about four Now lederhosen are consid- miles from the Maximillaneum ered a symbol of virility and to the Oktoberfest grounds. The masculinity. Men wear them parade includes costumes, of working outdoors or doing course, but also rifle clubs, other outside activities, but also bands, flags, and decorated car- to folk festivals and beer gar- riages, horses and carts. The dens, much like the Scottish kilt. clubs in the parade come from All lederhosen have two side all over Europe. © ADOBE STOCK OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | TERMINOLOGY © ADOBE STOCK © ADOBE STOCK © ADOBE STOCK Oktoberfest Glossary If you’re not fluent in German, never fear. We’re here to help. Here are some words and phrases you might hear around an Oktoberfest celebration. Wiesn: Another name for the knuckle, usually served with sau- Radler: A half-beer, half-soft grandaddy of them all, the erkraut or knödel, which are drink, also served in a liter mug. Munich Oktoberfest. It comes potato dumplings. For those in it for the long haul. from the colloquial name for the Weißwurst: A Bavarian sausage Altbier: A dark beer with malt- fairgrounds, Theresa’s meadows, made from minced veal, pork ed barley from the Düsseldorf or Theresienwiese. bacon, spices and herbs. It’s usu- area. O’zapft is!: Translation: It is ally served before noon, in a bowl Bockbier, doppelbock: Strong tapped! Traditional words that of hot water, along with sweet beers that originate from Einbeck © ADOBE STOCK open the fest as the first keg of mustard, a pretzel and wheat and are around 7% alcohol. beer is tapped. beer. Weizenbier, weissbier: A wheat Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit: Hendl: Roast chicken, another beer popular in Bavaria. A A traditional drinking song at the traditional Oktoberfest dish. Hefeweizen is more yeasty, while Munich festival, which roughly Schnitzel: Tender, boneless Kristallweizen is clearer and fizzi- translates to “a toast to cheer and meat fried in flour and bread- er. Around 5.4% alcohol with a good times.” crumbs. fruity, spicy taste. Bierzelt: A beer tent. The Spätzle: Egg noodles or dump- Märzen: A full-bodied, strongly Munich Oktoberfest (and many lings. malty beer associated with others) are a string of booths, Wurst: Generally, sausage. Oktoberfest. tents and pavilions serving great Die Bierleichen: Beer corpses. Leipziger gose: A tart beer fla- beer, good food and music. The name for those snoring off a vored with salt and coriander. It’s Brezel or brezn: A pretzel, usu- maß too many. usually served with cherry or ally sprinkled with coarse salt. Prost: Cheers! almond liqueur. Maßkrug: A glass mug of beer Gemütlichkeit: A general feel- Malzbier: Literally, malt beer. equal to a liter. Usually shortened ing of goodwill toward your fel- Sweet, aromatic, and brewed to a maß. low man. Not feeling it yet? Have mainly in Bavaria and Baden- Schweinshaxe: A stewed pork another maß. Württemberg. © ADOBE STOCK OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | FOOD © ADOBE STOCK Beer ‘n’ Brats Few things go together as chopped meat sausage, and is usually MAKING YOUR OWN BEER BRATS made from veal, beef or pork. They are So let’s fire up the grill and make Recipe from Kingsford Charcoal. well as beer and bratwurst. most commonly eaten as a snack on a your own beer and brats. First, make a If you can’t make it to white bread roll with mustard. In bars, trip to your local grocer and ask the 6 bratwurst it can be served with sauerkraut or butcher for some quality bratwurst. 2-3 cans of beer Munich, here’s how to get potato salad and a rye bread or a pret- You should be able to find a few vari- Sauerkraut your own taste of zel. It’s often sold as a street food. eties, or, if you’re really lucky, your Sauteed onions and peppers In the U.S., the name is commonly butcher makes his own. Oktoberfest right in your shortened to brats. Wisconsin claims The next most important ingredient Start a two-zone fire on your grill, with your coals own backyard. to be home to the beer brat, where is the beer. Don’t skimp here; even piled to one side. Place a pan over the coals, pour in bratwurst are simmered in beer with though you won’t be drinking it, it’s the beer, and add the brats. Cook for 10-15 minutes, butter and onions before grilling. still important to get a decent beer. or until the sausages turn white. Move the pan to SO WHAT IS IT? Madison, Wisconsin, hosts the Brat Pale lagers work best. If you’re a novice the cool side and put the brats over the fire using A bratwurst isn’t just any sausage. Fest over the Memorial Day weekend, beer drinker, ask the experts at your tongs, not a fork. You don’t want to puncture the It’s a German sausage that dates to the where you can eat your fill of local liquor store to point you in the skin. Rotate the sausages for an even sear. Let them early 1300s. It literally means a finely bratwurst. right direction. rest before serving. OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | FOOD What Is Sauerkraut? Sauerkraut is cabbage that has been fermented in a long, natural process. It has a long shelf life and a distinct sour flavor. The cabbage is pickled using lactic acid fermentation, similar to the process used to make traditional kimchi.