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| A heartfelt welcome ! |
Oktoberfest is still the world's greatest party, and we were so glad to see that the partying is as much fun as ever. Security of course, is much more apparent, and bags are checked before you can enter the grounds and again at each individual tent, but we were surprised that there were no metal detectors.
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| The four Supsics take on Oktoberfest 2017 ! |
As always, it felt as if all of Munich and much of the world was here! We met people from all over the map including far off places like Brazil and Australia. We asked the Aussies why they traveled this far, and they said, "Because we like beer too!"
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| Partying at Pschorr-Braurosl beer hall |
Well, as you know, we like beer too, and the folks at Oktoberfest serve up some of the best beer in the world! It was especially fun to share all of this with M&M who were seeing it all for the first time. So many things about the fest are surprising. Like the large number of amusement rides and children too. And the fact that these sturdy looking beer "tents" are dismantled at the end of the fest and stored until they are reconstructed the following year. We figure the Germans had every piece identified and elaborate schematics detailing exactly how each piece gets assembled.
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| The beautiful Spatenbrau Ochsenbraterei |
The beer halls are remarkable, so colorful, and each one has it's own personality. The Spatenbrau Ochsenbraterei is decorated in blue and white streamers (colors of the Bavarian flag) held by painted, wooden figures at each end. One was even named Franck!
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| Roasting oxen carcass on spit |
The Spatenbrau tent even had a full-size ox roasting on a spit inside the beer hall. Germans sure do like their meat!
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| Himmel der Bayern at Hacker Festzelt |
There is another tent that looks like a hunting lodge with animal heads hanging from the walls. This is the Ambrustschutzen Festhalle, and one of our favorites. Hacker Pschorr calls itself "Himmel der Bayern" (Heaven in Bavaria), with beautiful mural paintings on each wall.
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| Reverlers dance on the benches at the Hofbrau tent |
For true craziness, the Hofbrauhaus Festhalle was the liveliest beer hall on the grounds. This tent is known to be the rowdiest, and it lived up to its reputation. There was a constant low roar of noise and so many people were standing on the benches and tables, we sometimes felt like we were in a tunnel.
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Anne & Michelle show those crazy
youngsters how it's done! |
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| Overloaded waiter delivers beer to table |
We decided it was time to leave when a girl near us started flicking the foam off her beer at people, and a guy next to Marc nearly fell off his bench and spilled beer all over Frank's seat.
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| Johanna, one of our favorite waitresses |
We have to recognize the waitresses! Not only do they carry 8 -10 loaded beer steins at a time, they have to try to control the patrons (not easy) and clean up after them (not fun). They are well-prepared with squeegees for spilled beer and sawdust to sprinkle on the vomit.
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| Ein Prosit! Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit! |
The beer, of course, is served in giant steins that all hold a liter of liquid, and toasting goes on all day and into the night. The favorite toast is a little chant, "Ein Prosit. Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit! A toast, a toast to delightfulness, coziness, and pleasantness (something that does not translate well into English), but means good feeling and great happiness. We were certainly feeling a lot of "der gemütlichkeit" ! Frank and Marc also like the follow-up to the toast Eins, Zwei, Drei, Gsouffa (one, two, three, drink!).
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| Marc and Michelle in Augustiner beer tent |
BTW all the beer was outstanding but the Augustiner beerhall and tent is recognized as serving the best. Frank and Marc agree -- very fresh with just a touch of ale-like bitterness.
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Nothing goes better with German beer than wurst and
sauerkraut ! (At the Paulaner tent) |
The food was good too with many more choices than when we were here three years ago. The roast chicken, spaetzle (like mac & cheese), and wurst with sauerkraut and senf (mustard) were all superb. We also found Anne's favorite dessert: Apfelstrudel mit Vanillian Sauce (like an apple strudel sitting in a puddle of vanilla pudding) -- yum!
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| Marc, the pretzel boy shows his bretzl |
And who could forget the bretzn (German for pretzels). Seems like we were eating German pretzels for breakfast, lunch , and dinner!
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Revelers in traditional garb
enjoying the evening |
The entertainment was marvelous too. Each tent had its own mini-orchestra that had nearly non-stop oompah bands all day. Not only traditional German music, but some jazzier stuff worked its way into the evening set of music. The young folks seem to like that music better than us old folks!!
Oktoberfest represents so much of what we value in western culture: great food and drink, music, and good camraderie with people all over the world!
More pics:
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| M & M eating wurst at Paulaner tent |
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| Helpful signage (if you can't find the bathroom) |
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| Adorable German madchen! |
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| Lovin' the fest after dark ! |
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| M & M at the fest ! |
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| The Lowenbrau horses and wagon |
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| Wild girls at Oktoberfest ! |
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| Partiers in crazy hats |
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| Frank and son Marc enjoy some time together |
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| Anne hoists a stein ! |
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| The ladies toast each other |
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| Love that Oktoberfest beer !!! |
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| Just follow the stenciled sidewalk to Oktoberfest |
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| Auf Wiedersehen to Oktoberfest 2017 |
