Octoberfest Beer Festival Opens in Munich

Octoberfest Munich

The 178th Oktoberfest opened in Munich, Germany, on Saturday 17th September with the arrival of the tent patrons in a parade through Munich. The traditional tapping of the first keg of beer was done by Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, shouting "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!"). The Bavarian festival takes place over 17 days, and some 6 million people are expected to attend.

Last year, visitors drank more than 7 million one-liter mugs of beer. Attendance is free, but the beer will costs about  $12 a mug at any of the tents this year.

Oktoberfest is the world's largest annual fair attracting people from all around the world. It began way back in1810 as a celebration of the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and has since grown to become one of the world's most renowned annual festivals celebrating  beer.

Octoberfest Munich

Octoberfest Facts

- Seats in the festival halls: approx. 100,000
- Visitors: 6.4 million
- Beer: approx. 7,100,000 litres (1,875,621 gallons)
- Wine: 89,259 liters (23,579 gallons)
- Chicken: 505,901 units
- Pork sausages: 119,302 pairs
- Fish: 40,850 kg
-  Pork knuckles (haxen): 69,293 units
- Oxen: 119 units

Major Munich Breweries represented with tents at this years festival:include Augustiner Bräu, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu München, Paulaner, and Löwenbräu.

Munich's Mayor, Christian Ude,tapping first keg of beer

Opening Hours

Saturday 17 September – Monday October 3rd, 2011.
Beer Serving Hours Weekdays: 10am - 10:30pm, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9am - 10:30pm

Daily Tent Closing Time: 11:30pm
The "Käfer Wiesn-Schänke" and the "Weinzelt" are open until 1am. Last call for alcohol: 12:15am.

Sales Booths (souveniors etc.)
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 11:30pm, Friday: 10am - 12am (midnight), Saturday: 9am - 12am, Sundays and holidays:9am - 11:30pm

Carnival and Rides
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 11:30pm, Friday, Saturday: 10am - 12am, Sundays and holidays: 10am - 11:30pm

Traditional Costume Parade

Highlights at This Years Octoberfest:-
- Traditional costume parade through Munich, Monday 19 September 12.00 a.m.
- Special lunch for senior citizens in the big tents, Tuesday 20 September 12.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
- Family day: with all rides and performances at reduced prices, Thursday 22 September 10.00 a.m.
- Traditional religious Oktoberfest mass in the Hippodrom-tent, Sunday 25 September 11.00 a.m.
- Traditional concert of the Oktoberfest brass-bands at the feet of the Bavaria, Monday 26 September 6.00 p.m.
- "Rosa Wiesn" in the  Fischer Vroni tent, Tuesday 27 September 12.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. 2.

- Family day: all rides and performances at reduced prices, Wednesday 28 September 12.00 a.m.  
- Senior showman meeting in the Hippodrom, Monday 3 October 12.00 a.m.
- Traditional gun-salute on the steps of the Bavaria monument.

Beer Tents at Octoberfest

Of course the big attraction of Octoberfest is the beer tents. At this year’s Octoberfest there will be 34 different beer tents. Some of the most popular beer tents at

.

1. Schottenhammel Tent

Schottenhammel Tent

Dating back to 1867, Schottenhammel is the oldest tent at Oktoberfest - and some say, the most important one. At 12 p.m. sharp on Oktoberfest's opening day, Munich's Mayor kicked off the festival by tapping the first keg of beer at the Schottenhammel tent. Schotenhammel is the largest Oktoberfest tent with 10.000 seats and the place to party for young people. Beer Served: Spaten Franziskaner

2. Hippodrom.Tent

This colorful beer tent is one of first tents you will see when entering Oktoberfest. It is one of the hippest tents at the festival and attracts young crowds and local celebrities. Besides Oktoberfest beer, you can also sip on Sekt (champagne). Weekends and evenings are notoriously crowded and it might be difficult to get in - but you can also have a great time on a weekday afternoon at Hippodrom.

Beer served: Spaten Franziskaner

Hofbräu Beer Tent

3. Hofbräu Beer Tent

The famous beer hall Hofbräuhaus in Munich's old town has its own beer tent during Oktoberfest. With Bavarian Oompah bands and many guests dressed in traditional costumes, the Hofbräu beer tent is very popular among international Oktoberfest visitors, and you'll find many American beer lovers here.

Beer served: Hofbräu

4. Augustiner Beer Tent

A great option for families, the Augustiner beer tent offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere; Tuesday is "Kid's Day", and small guests can eat and drink for less. The music is very traditional, and many Muenchner consider this to be the best tent at Oktoberfest.

Beer served: Augustiner

5. Hacker Pschorr Beer Tent

Hacker Pschorr Beer Tent

With almost 10.000 seats, Hacker is one of the largest tents at Oktoberfest. Its ceiling is painted with blue skies and white clouds; and because blue and white are also the colors of the Bavarian flag, locals like to call this tent "Himmel der Bayern" (Heaven for Bavarians).If you need a break from traditional brass bands, the Hacker tent is the right choice for you: in the evening, a rock band gets people dancing on the wooden benches.

Beer served: Hacker Pschorr

6. Käfer's Wies’n-Schänke

Want to spot some celebrities? Your chances are pretty good at the Käfer's Wies’n-Schänke. With 3000 seats, it is one of the smaller Oktoberfest tents; the atmosphere is less hectic and loud compared to other tents, and the tent is famous for its gourmet food. Longer than any other Oktoberfest tent, the Käfer's Wies’n-Schänke is open until 12:30 a.m., although it is pretty difficult to get in after 11 p.m.

Beer served: Paulaner

Bräurosl Beer Tent

7. Bräurosl Beer Tent

The Bräurosl beer tent has been around since 1901, and it is still owned by the same family. The tent was named after Rosl, the daughter of the original brewery owner. Alongside Oompah bands, the Bräurosl is proud to have its own authentic Bavarian yodeler.

Beer served: Hacker Pschorr

9. Weinzelt – the Wine Tent

Graving a glass of wine at Oktoberfest? Then visit the wooden Weinzelt, where you can enjoy an extensive wine and champagne selection. Besides traditional Oktoberfest dishes, the wine tent also has seafood and even Thai delicacies on its menu. The tent is not as crowded as other Oktoberfest venues, and you'll find many families among the visitors. Wine and Beer served: more than 15 different wines and champagne (e.g. Nymphenburger); Paulaner Weissbier

9. Löwenbräu

Löwenbräu Beer tent

The 15-foot lion sitting above the entrance of the Löwenbräu tent is hard to miss; every now and then it lets out a majestic roar and takes a sip from its beer. No wonder that the soccer players of the local team TSV 1860 and their fans like to come here - their nickname is "The Lions".

Beer served: Löwenbräu

10. Fischer Vroni

True to its name, Fischer Vroni is famous for its yummy fish dishes. Try the traditional "Steckerlfisch", fish on a stick. It is grilled right then and there on 50-feet long skewers.

Beer served: Augustiner

Why is the Munich Octoberfest held in September and not October? Apparently it is that little bit colder in October, so today the Munich Beerfest traditionally takes place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October. Oktoberfest 2011 started on Saturday, 17th September. However in 2011 Oktoberfest goes until Monday the 3rd of October. Ann extra day just like in 2010.