Real Estate Innovation

Suds and Cuds at Oktoberfest in Munich

Oktoberfest is a serious German beer drinking festival in Munich. Perhaps this explains why, despite the name, most of the festival actually occurs in September instead of October. More than a few travelers find this date quandary out the hard way each year.

For 2008, the ultimate beer drinking get together will be held in Munich from the twentieth of September through the 5th of October. It is not a festival where you can just show up. You need tickets to participate. If you don’t have them, you don’t get in.

At the start of the festival, the first keg will be tapped to the sound of a twelve gun salute. Who gets the honor of opening up the first Oktoberfest keg? Why, the mayor, of course! As soon as that first keg is tapped, the drinking begins. Just make sure not to end up a Bierleichen.

You can not just show up at Oktoberfest and throw back beer after beer. Tourists are famous for passing out left and right. They are called Bierleichen by locals, which means beer corpses! As you might expect, the Germans have a plan for you.

Once you are down and out from consuming adult beverages, you will be collected. You German hosts will haul you off to a medical tent where you will be checked out and steps will be taken to return you to the living again.

To avoid the tent, keep two things in mind. First, drink in some sort of moderation. Second, eat some of the hearty German food available. It is definitely a meat eating diet, but excellent soft pretzels are available to vegetarians.

Due to noise problems, Oktoberfest is no longer the all day beer rampage it used to be. The action does not get rolling until after six in the evening these days. That is okay. You can slowly get into the mood by hanging out outside before hand with thousands of others.

Oktoberfest days are filled with a much more diverse crowd. From young kids to the elderly, you will see everyone enjoying a more relaxed pace and softer music. Whether you are there to inhale beer or enjoy the full day, Oktoberfest is something you have to do at least once.