Ozapft is! Munich’s mayor tapped the ceremonial first keg at noon yesterday with two brisk swings of the mallet. Bring on the drunken revelry.
We spent the first evening in the Ochsenbraterei tent. We had a table reserved, which is the only reason we even considered going opening day. All the tents were full, and some very forlorn tourists practically begged us for our armbands as we headed towards the door.
The tent was sweltering hot, much hotter than I remember being last year. Dirndl-skirt-sticking-to-your-ass hot. Perhaps it was because of the heat that the beer* tasted particularly good.
The music was particularly repetitive, and not particularly good. Not that Oktoberfest music ever really qualifies as “good”, but still… Achy Breaky Heart? Come on, people.
After a couple hours we couldn’t take the heat anymore, so we headed out into the cool night to ride a ride and head home. There’s nothing more fun than spinning around upside down in the air after two liters of beer.
Luckily we didn’t see too many guys walking around in these.
* Spaten is served in the Ochsenbraterei tent.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Spaten at the '04 Wiesn — I'm typically more of a Weißbier guy than a Helles guy.
How did you like it? Especially compared to what else is available?
Cliff – Ofest beer isn't helles, it's a special brew just for the event (a märzen, I think). So there's not necessarily a correlation as to which brand you'll like best. I tend to like Oktoberfest beers better than helles overall, but I can't say whether I have a favorite yet. I'll try to pay more attention this year to which ones taste the best. The Spaten was pretty yummy.
And one tent – the Weinzelt – serves Weißbier instead of Oktoberfest beer. It's my favorite tent.
Geesh, maybe I really should come check out Oktoberfest–although I suspect it's better in theory than in reality–at least for me.
Adam – You'd love it. So many lederhosen.
I tried to go this year but I didn't book in time….maybe next year
Jul: 'was there for opening day, and it was great. A meter of brat; a liter of beer — like Wisconsin on steroids. What more could I ask for?
As you say, the tents were sweltering, and I was glad not to have a reservation. However, it was easy to wander in and out and see several until they were filled about two. I did see the parade (a little trouble controlling the horses here and there) and the countdown inside one of the tents.
Wow, people do dress up for this, don't they!
The stand-up beer counter outside the Nymphenberg tent was not very crowded and turned out to be the easiest place to get a beer all day. The carnival area was much bigger than I expected (I love the idea of having schnapps and tequila stands for the adults amidst the kiddie rides). I was tempted by the olympic roller coaster but didn't end up spending time on the rides. Prices were reasonable in general, and public transport was perfect.
People were getting a little glazed over by six pm (I could tell because drunks kept trying to nip the end off my brat as I carried it), but the guidance you gave was perfect and the event was surpurb. Thank you, thank you !
Is smoking allowed this year? I think people were allowed to smoke in the tents last year, weren't they?
Matt – I think a lot of people must have waited too long to book this year. It feels much emptier than last year.
Dave – glad you enjoyed it! Next time you'll have to pick up some lederhosen. 🙂
Chantal – yes, lots and lots of smoking. I think it will be a long time before it gets banned, since the tents will basically have to be redesigned before that can happen.