As autumn slowly creeps into the calendars and the days grow shorter, in the heart of Bavaria, on the spacious Theresienwiese, a spectacle unfolds that defies melancholy. The scent of roasted almonds, hops, and malt fills the air, the sounds of brass band music and cheerful chatter echo for miles, and millions of people from all over the world merge into a single river of celebrants. This is, of course, Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, which is currently underway and transforms Munich into the global capital of beer, tradition, and unforgettable fun. This year, the 190th in a row, the festival opened its doors on September 20th and will last until October 5th, offering visitors a unique insight into the rich Bavarian culture.

What we know today as a massive global gathering actually originated from a royal love story. The festival traces its roots back to 1810, not as a beer festival, but as a magnificent celebration of the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig, the future King Ludwig I, and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The wedding celebration, which began on October 12th, was so lavish that all citizens of Munich were invited. The highlight of the five-day festivity was a grand horse race held on a field in front of the city gates. In honor of the princess, that meadow was named "Theresienwiese" or "Theresa's Meadow," a name it still bears today, and which the locals affectionately call simply "Wiesn".

From a royal wedding to a global phenomenon

The enthusiasm of the citizens was so great that a decision was made to repeat the horse races, and with them the entire celebration, every year at the same time. Thus, the Oktoberfest tradition was born. The very next year, an agricultural exhibition was added to the celebration, with the aim of promoting the Bavarian economy. Although the horse races, once the central event, are no longer held today, the agricultural fair is still an integral part of the festival, taking place every three years in the southern part of Theresienwiese. The first small beer stands appeared very early, but it was not until 1896 that they were replaced by the first large beer tents, the forerunners of today's monumental halls that have become a symbol of the festival and the epicenter of fun. Throughout its more than two centuries of existence, the festival has been canceled only about twenty times, mainly due to wars, cholera epidemics, and, recently, a global pandemic, which attests to its incredible resilience and importance to the local population.

"O'zapft is!": The signal for the celebration to begin

Every Oktoberfest begins with a precisely established ritual that is eagerly awaited. On the first Saturday of the festival, at exactly 10:45 AM, the ceremonial procession of the beer tent owners and breweries ("Wiesn-Einzug der Festwirte und Brauereien") begins. Colorfully decorated horse-drawn carriages, accompanied by brass bands and staff in traditional costumes, move from the city center towards Theresienwiese, heralding the imminent start of the fun. The climax of the opening ceremony takes place at exactly noon in the oldest tent, Schottenhamel. At that moment, the Mayor of Munich has the honor of tapping the first beer keg with a loud shout of "O'zapft is!", which means "It is tapped!" in the Bavarian dialect. With twelve cannon shots in front of the Bavaria statue, a signal is given to all other tents that the beer tapping can begin. Only after this official act do millions of liters of the golden nectar begin to flow, and the sixteen-day celebration can officially commence.

The Golden Nectar of Bavaria: More than just beer

The beer at Oktoberfest is not just any beer. It is a special type, the so-called Oktoberfestbier or Märzen, which was traditionally brewed in March (März) because summer temperatures were too high for fermentation. This beer is stronger than usual lagers, with an alcohol content ranging from 5.8% to 6.3%, has a golden color, and a richer taste. According to strict rules, only beer brewed within the city walls of Munich, and which meets the criteria of the Bavarian Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) of 1516, may be served at Oktoberfest. This law stipulates that beer may only be produced from three ingredients: water, barley, and hops. Only six Munich breweries have the honor of serving their beer at the world's largest festival: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. The beer is served exclusively in one-liter glass mugs called "Maß," and the waitresses, known for their strength and skill, often carry ten or more heavy mugs at once.

A Gastronomic Rhapsody: The tastes that define Oktoberfest

Although beer is the center of attention, the experience in Munich would not be complete without the rich gastronomic offer that perfectly accompanies the golden beverage. Oktoberfest is a true paradise for gourmands, and the aromas wafting from the kitchens and grills irresistibly entice visitors. The absolute classic and best-selling dish is "Hendl," a delicious roasted chicken with crispy skin. Right next to it is "Schweinshaxe," roasted pork knuckle, and various types of sausages, from the famous white sausage "Weisswurst," traditionally eaten with sweet mustard and a pretzel, to grilled "Bratwurst." Also unmissable are the giant pretzels ("Brezn") sprinkled with coarse salt, which serve as a perfect base for beer. For those looking for something different, there is "Steckerlfisch" (fish, usually mackerel, grilled on a stick), "Käsespätzle" (pasta with cheese and fried onions), or even roasted ox. The sweet offerings are led by "Lebkuchenherzen," gingerbread hearts decorated with various messages, roasted almonds, and cotton candy.

Life in the Tents: The heart and soul of the festival

The real magic of Oktoberfest happens inside the fourteen large and twenty-odd smaller beer tents. Each has a unique atmosphere, decoration, and crowd. Some, like the Hofbräu-Festzelt, are known for their international audience and lively party atmosphere, while others, such as the Augustiner-Festhalle, cultivate a more traditional and family-friendly vibe. The largest tents can accommodate up to ten thousand people, and finding a free spot, especially on weekends, is a true art form. The interior of the tents is filled with long wooden tables and benches, and the sound of traditional Bavarian brass bands constantly echoes from the stage in the middle. They play a mix of traditional music and popular German and international hits, and the highlight of the performance is the song "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" ("A toast to coziness"), which is performed every fifteen minutes or so and encourages everyone present to raise their mugs and toast together. This collective energy and sense of community are what make the experience in the tents unforgettable.

Dirndl and Lederhosen: More than just costumes

A walk through Theresienwiese is also a kind of fashion show. The vast majority of visitors, both local and foreign, are dressed in traditional Bavarian attire. For men, this means "Lederhosen," leather trousers (short or knee-length) with suspenders, paired with a checkered or white shirt and woolen socks. Women wear the "Dirndl," a colorful dress consisting of a blouse (usually white with puff sleeves), a bodice, a full skirt, and an apron. The Dirndl is not just a piece of clothing, but also a means of communication. According to tradition, the position of the bow on the apron reveals a woman's relationship status: a bow tied on the left side signals that she is single, on the right that she is taken (married or in a relationship), in the front center that she is a virgin, and at the back that she is a widow or a waitress. Wearing traditional costume is not mandatory, but it certainly contributes to the authentic experience and the feeling of belonging to the large Bavarian family.

Oktoberfest in Numbers: A global impact and an economic giant

Oktoberfest is much more than a festival; it is an economic engine that generates over a billion euros in revenue for the city of Munich and its surroundings each year. Every year, the festival is visited by over six million people who drink around seven million liters of beer and eat hundreds of thousands of chickens, sausages, and oxen. Around 13,000 employees ensure the smooth functioning of this enormous mechanism. The energy consumption is also fascinating: in 16 days, the festival uses as much electricity as a family of four in 52 years. Its popularity has long crossed the borders of Germany, so today there are hundreds of Oktoberfest replicas around the world, from Brazil and Canada to Japan and Australia, but the original experience remains unique. It is a place where cultural differences are erased and where people from different parts of the world, side by side with Bavarians, sing, dance, and toast to life, confirming that Oktoberfest is truly a global phenomenon that celebrates tradition, community, and, of course, excellent beer.