go through the streets of munich in october it’s a real party. The city, which the rest of the year remains calm, serene and with a population that loves order and structure, is transformed during this month. well, it happens the beer festival, Oktoberfest, one of the most desired in the history of Germany.
Colors, cheerful spirits, fairs, children’s attractions, music and lots and lots of beer, are the elements that take over this German city. The arrival of Oktoberfest is not only a local festival, but the perfect reason to welcome travelers from all over the world who, lovers of beer, come to enjoy it in the best place: Germany.
Today in Supercurioso we tell you the story of the most important beer festival in Germany. Join us to discover the fascinating Oktoberfest history. That yes: We do not assure you that after reading, you do not want to go racing for a cold and foamy beer…
Discover the history of Oktoberfest
Between the curiosities of germany we find many interesting facts. From the power of his peculiar gastronomy, the dark moments of its history, especially linked to the Second World War, and even its passion and talent for soccer. But just as they are lovers of good food, the Germans also pay great honor to good drinking. The beer tradition is remarkable, but interestingly enough, the history of Oktoberfest did not initially have a specific link with the popular drink.
This party, which became the most popular in Germany, to the point that it is already imitated in destinations as different as Brazil, Argentina, Chile or Venezuela, has a fairly long history…
The beer festival in Germany was held for the first time in the year 1810. It was specifically the day October 12 °when the crown prince, later King Ludwig I, He married Princess Teresa di Sassonia-Hildburghausen.
The fields located in front of the city gate were the setting in which a Big partyto which all the citizens of Munich at that time were invited.
The whole of Bavaria was adorned with that event, in which the fields were named after “Theresa Fields”, in honor of the new queen. To close the festivities, a showy horse race was called.
That event seemed to be isolated at first, but a year later it was decided to repeat the festival, focusing on horse racing. And that is how the history of Oktoberfest began, the biggest beer festival in Germany and in the whole world.
The evolution in the history of the beer festival in Germany
The history of Oktoberfest has gone through different stages. What was no more than a wedding party, the following year became a great fair to promote the farming and the economy of the region.
Then, an agricultural fair was added to the horse races, which still takes place every four years in the southern part of the Wiesn (Oktoberfest). It was in 1818 that the first carousel and two swings were added. Since then, the nuance of fun has become part of the essence and history of Oktoberfest.
At the time, the Germans did one of the activities they most enjoyed among friends at their party, drinking beer. That custom grew in proportions, until it became the essence of the celebration.
For the year 1910, when the first hundred years of the beer festival would be celebrated in Germany, the consumption of about 120 thousand liters of beer was recorded, a record total for those times. It was also inaugurated, for the year of 1913, the Brauroslthe largest meeting tent, with no less than twelve thousand seats.
Why is Oktoberfest celebrated with beer?
As we have told you, the history of Oktoberfest does not have much to do with beer in its origins. In factit is not until 77 years after its first edition, in 1887, when the alcoholic beverage prevails as the queen of the event. The beer festival in Germany is consecrated as such, thanks to the fact that the owners of the Munich breweries begin to participate in the celebration. Soon the population responds, and drinking beer becomes the most important activity.
Since then, the history of the Oktoberfest has been particular. Although it has spread to other German and Bavarian cities, in its original location, the city of Munich, only beers brewed by the city’s six breweries can be served. These are:
- Augustiner, founded in 1328
- Spaten, founded in 1397
- Hacker-Pschorr, from 1417
- Löwenbräu, dating from 1524
- Hofbrau, from 1589
- Paulaner, founded in 1634.
As you can see, the German beer festival is run by brands with centuries and centuries of history.
Another curious fact in the history of Oktoberfest is that not just any type of beer is served. In fact, these six breweries will prepare a special drink. It is known as the oktoberfestbier or Oktoberfest beer.
This must comply with the Reinheitsgebot (beer purity law) and have a minimum of 13.5 Stammwürze (what we would translate as must), which is equivalent to 6% alcohol.
Other curiosities in the history of Oktoberfest
1. A very heavy jug
The beer festival in Germany is full of peculiarities. One of them is that the mug in which the beer is served is really very heavy. It’s called maßkrug or maß, and it’s a sturdy, dimpled, thick glass container with a big handle. When empty it weighs one kilo, and full of beer, it weighs up to two.
Another curiosity is that what is customary is to sit at the tables and ask the waiters for beer. But they are not employees of the breweries, they pay for the beer with their own money and earn tips from customers.
So if you pay him fair value for the beer, he probably won’t want to serve you more, because he won’t be earning anything. Another detail about the jars: Do not try to take them as a souvenir, you can be fined for it!
2. It starts to hit
Another peculiarity in the history of Oktoberfest is the custom of opening the party, literally with a clean sledgehammer. This tradition has been in force since 1950. Since then, the mayor of Munich opens the beer tap with a sledgehammer to the cry of “O’zapft is!” or what is the same “it is open, let the party begin!”.
However, it is not an easy task. Mayor Ude broke the speed record, opening the tap in just two blows. But there was a mayor who took 19 strokes to open the long-awaited beer tap.
3. He drinks a lot, a lot of beer
The beer festival in Germany fully lives up to its name. And it is not a suitable place for those who drink little. Just outside of Munich, Oktoberfest involves the consumption of some six to seven million liters of beer. Incredible! Nope?
Don’t be surprised if you see people walking with difficulty, literally striding under the influence of a few liters of the golden drink. And since the Germans are good eaters, well, every year the beers are accompanied by some 500 thousand sausages.
4. Oktoberfest attire
A vital part of the identity and history of Oktoberfest is the clothing worn. The streets are filled with women in traditional German dress, and men in typical shorts.
The Treatchen or typical costume, which is worn not only in Germany, but in alpine regions such as Tyrol, Salzkammergut or the Principality of Lichtenstein, enjoys great popularity. The male version is called Lederhose. These are leather shorts, brown, green or black. It is accompanied by shoes with long socks, white or plaid shirts for the youngest, and a wool jacket.
The female costume is called Dirndl. It is a traditional dress that was originally worn by servant girls and peasant women. A rural design, which was later also adopted by the upper classes, and which today completely transcends social barriers. It is usually a dress with a loose skirt and a little below the knee. It is usually made with fabrics such as wool, linen, velvet or cotton. It has short sleeves and a deep neckline. Sometimes it is accompanied by an internal white blouse.
In short, the history of Oktoberfest is that of a party in which a people joins in full, to celebrate life, friendship and tradition, in the heat of a cold beer.
If you visit Munich, it is well worth doing it in October, to taste the delicious product of one of the famous six breweries and experience the German beer festival in full. And if you are, like us, a declared lover of this delicious drink, don’t miss the article in which we tell you everything about it. origin of beer. Until next supercurious topic!