The above is the typical kick-off for Oktoberfest

Since today, Saturday, September 16, 2017, 12 o'clock the 184th Oktoberfest is open, the current mayor Reiter was tapping the first barrel of beer in the Schottenhammel tent - my wife in the middle of it right now, she was honoured to join the mayor's box - don't ask me why.

Dance Weekend plus Beer Saturday submission just in case I forget later lol

So - back to Munich, back to the "Wiesn" (this is how the Munich citizens or Germans call the Oktoberfest). The start of this crazy event (the biggest global event of its kind with 7 million visitors from around the world I think) has its own traditions and rules. Hitting the hammer onto the first barrel of Beer the mayor is forced to hand over the first Wiesn Mass (1 ltr. glass of Beer) to the existing Bavarian prime-minister Horst Seehofer. Reiter tool two swings to drive the tap into the barrel this year, not that bad! Then he had to speak out loud into the microphone “O’zapft is!” (= “It is tapped!”) and wished everyone a peaceful Oktoberfest as every year.

Following this the sales of beer was officially started. People could join the tents at 9am already but only at 12.01 the first beer is served. Coming back to wifey - here is how she looked when she started her travel to the event (I will report back visuals how she looked after returning home - not yet!).

Some facts of Oktoberfest 2017

So I will not bother you with the history and background of this - that it started back in 1810 and was basically a party to celebrate the wedding of Therese (that is the reason the Wiesn area is called "Theresienwiese"). It was the later King Ludwig I that married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on 12 October 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the royal event. So that is the historical background.

This year's event will end on October 3 so several days to hit the record beer sell again. Some facts if you want to come over and drink with us. To enter a tent you do NOT need to pay entrance fee, however it is recommended you have a place secured (reserviert) before - otherwise it could be a mess, huge fights at the door to enter, especially if you are not a nice looking lady.

Beer Serving Hours

Opening day 12.00 noon - 10.30 pm
Weekdays 10.00 am - 10.30 pm
Saturday, Sunday & holiday 09.00 am - 10.30 pm
Daily closing hour 12.30 am 'Käfers Wiesnschänke' and 'Weinzelt' open until 1.00 am

Opening hours of stalls

Opening day 10.00 am - midnight
Monday - Thursday 10 am - 11.30 pm
Friday 10.00 am – 12.00 midnight
Saturday 9 am - midnight
Sunday 9 am - 11.30 pm

Fairground attractions & sideshows

Opening day 12.00 noon - midnight
Monday - Thursday 10 am - 11.30 pm
Friday, Saturday 10.00 am – midnight
Sunday 10 am - 11.30 pm

Costs for a Beer 2017

It is reported that especially non-alcoholic drinks get more expensive this year, however - not my business usually when I am there. But the good news: The 11€-line hasn’t been crossed this year for one 1 ltr of Beer. So the Mass will cost you something between 10.60€ and 10.95€ this year which is only an average increase of 2.55% compared to last year’s beer.

Why Dance Weekend?

Well - usually folks and visitors there in the tents are dancing a lot, often to traditional Bavarian Tunes and whatever they play there - you see live performances (if you see anything anymore after Beer No. 4) of known artists too. After some minutes people jump on the beer benches and simply dance and do other silly stuff. Below my girls from work (2 years ago).

A typical Gassenhauer (Song of the Wiesn) is this (Source: YouTube) still - you have to be pissed to like and dance, but it works (the video shows a typical tent atmosphere).

But be aware what alcohol can do to you - try to control it, otherwise stuff like this can happen:

Beer Saturday submission, really?

Well i think I did not match the rules by shoeing three pics of beer, however I tag it and hope i get accepted. At least I am writing about Beer on a Saturday lol. So Dance and Beer in Munich required to listen and act to the most famous ever Wiesn Song - Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit (Source: YouTube Muenchen.de):

Now - decide for yourself if you wanna come and join me - showing you how I look before I have enjoyed too much alcohol.