Base London's Gentlemen's Guide to...
October
Get It Right... Oktoberfest
Beer, birds and bratwurst, what more could a man want, this is Oktoberfest, the best thing to happen in Germany all year round. Millions pour into the German city of Munich for the annual festival for the country's biggest celebration. Beer tents a plenty, steins served up by a cleavage-a-plenty frauline, it's no wonder it's popular. Although the name Oktoberfest implies an October festival, it actually starts at the end of September, those crazy Germans! So go, drink and be merry with Base London's guide to... Oktoberfest.
What's It All About?
Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September, running into early October. An important part of Bavarian culture, it is the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. The first Oktoberfest occurred in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of the Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of SaxeHilburghausen. But that's all history... back to the drinking.
Stats
These guys can eat and drink, during the festival:
Visitors: 6.2 million
Beer: 7 million litres
Wine: 80,000 litres
Pork Sausages: 142,253 pairs
Staying There.
For the best options for staying within a decent proximity to the festival visit www.oktoberfest.de to check on hotels, expect to pay anything from around 200 Euros a night and book early!
Know The Lingo
Bierleichen - Beer Corpse - The festival is full of young pretenders who think they can handle a skin-full, inevitably some pass out and are taken to medical tents where hey are known as 'Beirleichen'.
Bieseln - 'to take a leak' - unfortunately too many want to save a couple of cents and 'wild bieseln'
Fingahackln - Bavarian sport. Two men hook their middle fingers and try to pull their opponent over the table. Popular activity at the Oktoberfest.
Ogschdocha - tipsy
Rauschada - drunk, a frequent sight at Oktoberfest
Dress For The Occasion.
For this you'll need to dress down, be casual, you've got a long day's drinking and eating ahead of you. If you really want to get in the party spirit then look into getting a traditional German outfit.
