Oktoberfest 2022

 

It’s coming up to that time of year again. Lederhosen and dirndls are selling fast, along with suspenders and beer steins and tirol hats. Beer steins and mugs are flying off the shelves, which means only one thing, Oktoberfest is just around the corner. In the spirit of the festive event, here are some facts about Oktoberfest you might not know.

 

 Although the event is called Oktoberfest, the traditional event in Munich actually begins in September each year. So why is it called Oktoberfest? To answer that question, we have to head back to 1810 when the festival first started, in… you guessed it, October! Over the years, the event has grown in popularity and size, and the total length of the festival now runs for approximately two weeks. This year, Oktoberfest starts on the 17th September and runs until the 3rd October. Many cities across the world also join in on the cultural celebration, hosting their own renditions of Oktoberfest, which take place between September and October.

 

 The festival originated in 1810 as a wedding celebration of the Bavarian crown prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival was originally named Theresienwiese (Theresa’s fields), and today is often referred to as d’Wiesn, which is another German name for Oktoberfest. Originally, the event finished with a horse race on the final day whilst in the presence of the royal family, marking the close of the event- in fact it was the decision to race horses in the subsequent year that gave rise to the Oktoberfest tradition. Also the following year in 1811, the decision to include an agricultural show as part of the festival was included, as a bid to boost Bavarian agriculture. Though horse racing no longer forms part of the event today, the agricultural show is still included every 3 years on the festival grounds. 

 

 In the year 1896, a young Albert Einstein worked as a lighting technician for Oktoberfest, helping to screw in lightbulbs for one of the beer tents. Back then, lightbulbs were a relatively new invention. 

 

 In its 212 year history, the event has only been canceled a total of 20 times, most recently due to the Coronavirus pandemic from 2020-2021, but also due to historical Cholera outbreaks as well as both the first and second world wars.

 

 There are strict regulations regarding the beer consumed at the festival:

• The only beer allowed to be consumed at the festival must have been brewed within the city of Munich itself. The breweries that are allowed to deliver beer to the festival include Augustinerbräu München, Hacker–Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu.
• The beer must adhere to the Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law), a 500 year old law which you can read about here.
• The beer served at Oktoberfest is quite strong- with a minimum of 6% alcohol

 

 The festival does not officially start until the mayor officially taps open the first keg. This is a famous tradition which is depicted in some of our authentic beer steins which you can view here.

 

 Thinking of bringing your children to Oktoberfest? Go ahead- Oktoberfest is considered a family friendly event that is suitable for all ages. With an array of festival rides, ferris wheels, roller coasters and games and traditional Bavarian parades and music, both adults and children alike can enjoy the sights and sounds of Oktoberfest. Children are not allowed in the beer tents after 8pm, and there is also a lost and found childrens tent. 

 

 There is a pop up Post Office at Oktoberfest which sends hundreds of thousands of postcards annually from the major event. 

 

 The brand of Oktoberfest is protected internationally, which includes a new logo- a curved letter ‘O’.

 

 

 Want to learn more about Oktoberfest? Read our blog here.

 

Get into the Oktoberfest spirit at Clock Shop with our large range of Oktoberfest and beer drinking accessories. Browse our range of limited edition Authentic German Beer Steins, crafted by one of the only remaining manufacturers in all of Germany. Enjoy your next cold beer in one of these limited edition designs, some of which are even Oktoberfest themed! Feel like standing out from the crowd with a unique drinking accessory? Why not consider one of our Souvenir Steins which offer a unique range of drinking accessories such as drinking horns and goblets. We also have Oktoberfest themed shot glasses and themed accessories such as Beer Garden signs to help you style your Oktoberfest themed event perfectly. 

Another suggestion is to think outside the box and consider a fun loving chalet cuckoo clock to decorate your space, hat features Bavarian beer drinkers enjoying a cold beer or two. 

Not quite what you are looking for? Not to worry! We have an entire Oktoberfest category on our website to help you style your next event accordingly. With traditional hats, themed hat pins and feathers, suspenders and jewelry on offer, there is something fun and unique for everybody this year! Prost!