Surviving the Munich Oktoberfest
Could you survive Oktoberfest? Surely, there couldn’t be a limit to the amount of beer you could consume? Or, the amount of bratwurst you could eat? Think again…
Surviving Oktoberfest can be quite the challenge.
After all, the celebration continues for over two weeks – a whole 16 days in total. The unseasoned partaker might find themselves as used up as a half eaten pretzel by the end of it all. The most popular festival in the world attracts a crowd to rival the busiest shopping mall in Tokyo. So strap on your lederhosen, it might be a bumpy ride.
What are our top tips for surviving Oktoberfest?
Hop between tents
Weekend queues make it smart to pick a different tent to visit each weekday of the festival. This means you can experience as much as you can of what Oktoberfest has to offer (as opposed to spending it waiting in a line).
Make sure you visit the local’s fave for some authenticity
The Augustiner-Festhale tent is considered by many to be the best tent at Oktoberfest. It sells the famed native brew “Augustiner”. Also, this tent serves beer in an individual wooden keg – which sets it apart from the rest of the tents as they use stainless steel vats instead.
Plan time to visit (and recover from) the largest tent at Oktoberfest
Hofbrau-Festzelt is the most popular among young beer drinkers. It’s a rowdy and boisterous bunch you’ll find here. Plan your biggest day here and then make sure you plan a much quieter schedule the next.
Tuesdays are family festival days
So, you can take some (probably much needed) respite. Seats are hard to come by on the weekend, but much more readily available during the week so you can chill out and experience Oktoberfest at a slightly slower and rested pace.
Refuel with lunch
It’s going to help you soak up all that beer! Look for wurst (sausage) you won’t have to look far… it’s the universal food group of Oktoberfest. Or, perhaps a hot, fluffy pretzel the size of your head? Try roast suckling pig sauced up with what else but BEER!
Save time looking for a potential date or Oktoberfest squeeze
The position of the bow on the traditional dress signifies a woman’s relationship status. Albeit, a fair few girls may be unaware of this, but, it can’t hurt to take a precautionary peek! It’s called a dirndl bow. Find it tied on the right and you have yourself a committed woman. Waitresses and windows are meant to tie theirs at the back. As for the lefties – well… SCORE! Keep an eye out for those.
Don’t get so drunk you get lost
Oktoberfest is a BIG place and should you be so very VEWWY drunk there is always the handy option to send off a postcard should anyone wonder what has happened to you. You’ll be able to buy postcards constructed just for Oktoberfest mailboxes, which you will find about the place. Manage to send some off and eventually someone may send out a search crew.
There you have it: top tips for surviving Oktoberfest. Beer drinking is always a serious matter and Oktoberfest is the ultimate test of your talent to consume a mighty barrel. We hope to have bolstered your resolve to be the ultimate beer champion at the next Oktoberfest and to live to tell the tale!
Want a free Oktoberfest Survival Guide? Just contact us and we’ll send it to your inbox.
