Munich is always worth a visit, but what about a citytrip to Munich during the Oktoberfest? Our MEININGER Hotel München Zentrum is next to the Theresienwiese where the Wiesn takes place: the ideal starting point for a few days at the Bavarian festival. The Oktoberfest is a world of its own and we show you its fun facts.
- The Oktoberfest exists since 1810. Initially it was an alcohol-free festival. Alcohol was only sold outside the festival area. But let’s be honest: What would the Oktoberfest be without beer? The organizers and the municipality felt the same and allowed the sale of alcohol.
- The famous physicist Albert Einstein worked at the Oktoberfest. In 1896 he was a laborer and took care of the construction of the Schottenhammel tent.
- Each year, the mayor of Munich starts the Oktoberfest with the traditional key tapping and the exclamation “O’zapft is”. Record holder is Christian Ude, who managed to open the barrel in two strokes. The last place is given to Thomas Wimmer: He needed 19 strokes in 1950.
- Beer mugs are popular souvenirs and many guests try to smuggle them. In 2010, the supervisors brought back 130 000 beer mugs to the tent owners after guests wanted to take them home.
- The waiters have a stressful job. They carry beer mugs all day long to serve the party crowd in their tents. The world record holder is Oliver Strümpfel from Abensberg. In 2013 he dragged 24 full beer mugs for 40 meters to the finish line.
- Oktoberfest – This is actually the time for traditional costumes, Lederhosen, Dirndl and Bavarian elegance. A visitor had a different interpretation of the Bavarian style and wanted to play it safe. He wore a bulletproof vest, handcuffs and shin guards.
- Who wants to be a host at the Oktoberfest, should gear oneself up to a long wait. You have to wait up to 20 years till you are allowed to open a tent as the waiting list is very long.
- Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit! This parable can be heard all the time at the Oktoberfest. But it is not even Bavarian. It was invented by the musician Bernhard Dittrich from Chemnitz.
- There is a so-called Wiesn taxi. But it does not carry you home! The Meadow taxi or “banana” is the barrow of the Red Cross to transport the injured and drunken people. This taxi is used hundreds of times at the Oktoberfest.
- Church and Oktoberfest: This does not fit together? Yes, it does! Every first Thursday of the Oktoberfest a church service is hold in the Hippodrome tent.
- The Oktoberfest shines bright for years, but the consumption is enormous: 2.7 million kilowatt hours are consumed every time – that would be enough for more than 1,000 households for one year.
