Oktoberfest - â€œOâ€™zapft is!â€ (â€œItâ€™s tapped!â€)

Beer festivals happen all over Germany throughout the year but the largest and most famous of these is the Munich Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The marriage celebrations began of the 12^th October (the date of the wedding) and ran for 5 days, culminating in an open arena horse race in an area now known as the Theresienwiese. After the celebration the happy couple decided it had been such a great success that they would repeat the festivities every year. Over time the festival grew and eventually it moved from being held in October to being held in September, but kept its name linked to its origins.

Part of the reason that the famous Bavarian beer festival is held in September is thanks to the warmer evenings allowing for more outdoor beer drinking in Munich’s beer gardens. The beer festival still ends in October, as it is typically held on the last 2 weekends in September until the first weekend in October. This year that will be from Saturday 21^st September until Sunday 6^th October.

Oktoberfest is still held in Theresienwiese area of Munich but over the years the beer festival continued to evolve, with the introduction of fairground rides, parades of marksmen, waitresses and landlords, and the ending of the horse races. Since 1950 the event has opened the same way each year; a 12-gun salute followed by the Ministers-President of Bavaria being served a beer by the Mayor of Munich. Once the formalities are done the beer drinking can begin, with casks being tapped, steins filled, and foaming bears enjoyed by the eager punters.

Some of those celebrating Oktoberfest get a little too eager and after drinking too much, pass out on the floor. These drunken souls are known to the locals as “Bierleichen” (German for “beercorpses”) and must be removed to the medical tents. To help minimise the over excess music is only played quietly during the day in order to maintain the traditional beer tent atmosphere, but after 6pm the music is turned up as the party goes late into the night.

Last year over 7 million beer lovers make the pilgrimage to what is now the most famous beer festival in the world but if you cannot get to Munich then do not panic, as we have put together our very own Oktoberfest offerings for you to order for local delivery or collection in time for the start of Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest 4 beer pack for £13, with 10% discount on the rrp (£14.45)

Paulaner Oktoberfest

Augustiner Oktoberfestbier

Spaten Oktoberfest

Lowenbrau Oktoberfest