Oktoberfest is not only the world’s largest beer festival, but the largest festival in the world attracting more than 5 million people each year from all over the world. Having recently moved to Munich (just in time for Oktoberfest) I was curious to learn more about the history of Oktoberfest and headed straight to the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum.
Photos show the history of Oktoberfest and people that have played an important role in Oktoberfest.
The Bier and Oktoberfest Museum is housed in Munich’s oldest residential building dating back to 1327. It is a multi-story hodge-podge of a building with low ceilings, rickety stairs and wooden beams, in other words a fascinating building, but not one where I would want to live.
The character building itself was the highlight of the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum for me!
A re-created typical scene at Oktoberfest.
At the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum visitors will learn that the history of beer, dating back to its origins in Egypt through to the present monastery breweries (yep that’s right, monks who brew beer!). Tours to monasteries that brew beer can easily be reached through Germany Car Hire. Unfortunately many of the signs are in German and not being patient enough to take the time to read each sign, I only got the high level information.
Beer steins on display at the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum.
Visitors to the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum will also learn about the history of Oktoberfest and how it all got started 201 years ago. On October 12, 1810 the citizens of Munich were invited to attend the wedding festivities of the Bavarian Crown Prince Louis (who later became King Louis I of Bavaria) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghuasen. The festivities took place in a field in front of the city gates and were called ” Theresienwiese (Therese’s field in English) in the princesses’ honor. Today the field is simply referred as the “Wies’n” (the field in English).
When someone says “Welcome to the Wies’n” they’re simply welcoming you to Oktoberfest!
It must have been some party, since it was decided to host the event on an annual basis. Each year the festival grew. The next year an agricultural festival was added and which is still held once every four years at Oktoberfest. Six years later a carnival was added, which remains a key element of Oktoberfest today and are one of the reasons that there’s More Than Just Beer at German Beer Festivals. Over the course of the years the length of Oktoberfest was extended and now runs from late September all the way through to October 3rd, which is German Unity Day.
Over its 201 year history Oktoberfest has been canceled 24 times due to war, disease or other reasons.
Display of past Oktoberfest posters.
The Bier and Oktoberfest Museum features many photos, pictures and relics from Oktoberfest’s history showing visitors the transformation of what started off as a wedding celebration into an annual event still going over 200 years later. I enjoyed looking at the photos, but with most of the signs only in German, I think think I would have gotten more out of it had I signed up for one the tours which can be organized if you have 8+ people. Visitors on TripAdvisor have rated the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum 41/2 stars, but I would probably give it a 3, although I’m glad I visited it and felt it was worth my time. Having said that the €4 admission fee was reasonable and had I done the beer sampling that was available (unfortunately I’m allergic to beer) I’m sure that would have easily brought up my rating.
Would you go to the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum?
Know Before You Go to the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum:
- The Bier and Oktoberfest Museum is open Tue – Sat (closed on holidays) from 1:00 – 6:00pm
- It is located on Sterneckerstr. 2, just a 10 minute walk from Marienplatz.
Oktoberfest !! Always wanted to check it out sometime! cannot wait till you report about it!!
Annie recently posted..Japan(10)Shinjuku, Tokyo~Did You Bento Yet?(@Takashimaya)
I know people who drive down from Denmark to participate in the Oktoberfest. Now I also know the history behind the event. Thanks.
Mette Christensen recently posted..Where in Italy?
@Annie – This will be my first Oktoberfest, although I did go to the one in Stuttgart which is also big, so will definitely be writing about it.
@Mette – I met people from England at the Stuttgart Beer Festival who had just come from Oktoberfest, it’s really amazing that people come all over the world for it and I love its history.
A few years ago, I bought a beautiful stein when I was in St Goar in celebration of Oktoberfest. Unfortunately, I lost my bag that it was in and never saw it again. Can’t believe it’s that time of year already!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..The California State Capitol – a photo essay
I am such a fan of beer steins and I don’t even drink beer really….I love the unique craftsmanship that goes into making it.
Renee recently posted..Rafting the rapids with Dave Hansen Whitewater in Jackson Hole, WY!
I will visit Oktoberfest one of these days. I really want to see the barrels rolled down the street! Have fun, enjoy and I can’t wait to read your impression of the ‘real’ Oktoberfest.
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Salzburg Teasers
So cute, we celebrate Oktoberfest in Kitchener and it’s pretty big although nothing compared to Munich.
Ayngelina recently posted..How to take better travel photos
I had a blond moment: “eh, when is Oktoberfest… oh yeah, right, October”
I love the posters, they are pretty cool. Beer is definitely part of German culture!
Zhu recently posted..Picture of the Week: 9/11 and the American Embassy
Best wishes to you in your new home! I had no idea that Oktoberfest was the largest festival in the world. Would love to visit Munich sometime — probably when it’s not so busy as during Oktoberfest.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..A San Francisco Treat
Looks like an interesting museum. You’re allergic to beer? That is tragic!
Glen recently posted..Oyster Orgy at New Orleans Seafood Festival
A museum that explores the history of beer? Now, that’s a museum I would be interested in.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Travel Mishaps – Our Yellowstone Adventure
I didn’t even know they had a museum.
The Travel Chica recently posted..Best Restaurants in Columbus: The Liz Lessner Empire
any sample products at the museum? must get pretty thirsty with all that learning!
jamie – cloud people adventures recently posted..Under the Bridge – Melbourne Graffiti
Glad to see that you will be experiencing the Oktoberfest and the museum is fabulous. When I was a student I actually worked as a waitress at the Oktoberfest. Hard work but I finally managed to carry 3 steins in each hand, the best waitresses can carry 5.
inka recently posted..The sweet smells of Saida/Lebanon
Wow — I had no idea it was the biggest festival in the world! Will have to make it there one day…
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..An Inconvenient Death
I love how creative all the beer steins are.
adventureswithben recently posted..You Pick My Next Adventure Anywhere Around the World!
@Jeremy, oh no, well you’ll just have to come back again.
@Renee – I love beer steins as well, even though I’m not much of a beer drinker either.
@Debbie – I’m not a big fan of crowds, but have to go at least once, well probably more than once
@Ayngelina – I’ve heard the one in Kitchener is fun.
@Zhu – Actually Oktoberfest runs the last 2 weeks of September and finishes Oct 3rd (See? Not such a blond moment after all
@Cathy – I knew it was the largest beer festival in the world, but was surprised to see it was the largest festival in the world as well. I think I would choose to visit outside of Oktoberfest as well, plus the hotels are really expensive during it.
@Glen – I know, I live in Munich surrounded by great beer and I’m allergic to it.
@Christy – And one that lets you sample it as well
@The Travel Chica – Neither did I until I started doing some research.
@Jamie – You betcha!
@Inka – 3 would be hard enough, I have no idea how they manage 5 in each hand, those things are huge.
@Raymond – See ya there!
@Ben – Me too, if I start collecting anything it might be beer steins.
Wow, I knew Oktoberfest was big but didn’t realise it was the largest festival in the world. Being beer lovers, me and Barry really ought to try and attend this spectacle sometime! There’s a sizeable German community in Antalya not far from where we live and they do a mini-version of it but it just doesn’t seem the same.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Sightseeing In Izmir – A Stroll To Asansör