The thing about dirndls," Emile said, "is that they make average women look pretty and pretty women look beautiful. It was Saturday morning in Munich, the opening day of Oktoberfest, and we were riding the U4 train to Theresienwiese. At each successive station more people boarded, some of the men in lederhosen, many of the women in aproned dresses atop low-cut blouses, with apron and skirt in coordinated colors.
I always thought it odd that Oktoberfest starts in September, but after visiting the world-famous festival and its host city of Munich a few years ago, I understand why the Germans just couldn't wait another month for the party to begin. Billed as the largest public festival in the world, Oktoberfest 2008 kicks off Sept. 20 with the Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, a 1,000-person parade featuring decorated floats, beer maidens and traditional brass bands. At noon the Lord Mayor will tap the first barrel of beer, and by the end of the 16- day festival 6 million revelers will guzzle almost 2 million gallons of Bavaria's best brew.
You may have already had the chance to taste one of the many Oktoberfest-style beers already on tap in area pubs or in the grocer's beer cooler. The venerable malty festbier is the traditional choice for celebrating the fall season. Munich's Oktoberfest celebration will be underway in a few weeks and about 7 million liters of festbier will be consumed inside the fairground's tents during the three-week run.
During my recent motorcycle trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, I ran into so many Germans you'd have thought I was in Munich during Oktoberfest and not in the deserts of the American southwest around Memorial Day. Seriously, they were all over the place. I started wondering if they were posing as tourists while secretly amassing to seek revenge from World War II.
Don't worry if Oktoberfest in Munich is not in your budget this year. Just remind yourself of this: The annual DAI Oktoberfest has a much better beer selection, with new arrivals each year to keep it interesting. What to expect this year: International: -Weihenstephaner Hefe $6
Oktoberfest is an annual party that's been going for 200 years. / / The first Oktoberfest was in Munich on Oct. 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe- Hildburghausen. Everyone had so much fun, they decided to make it an annual event. In Europe, it's celebrated from late September to the first weekend in October. The Americanized version lasts a little longer. // Whether you are looking to celebrate the royal marriage, or if you just like beer, check out Oktoberfest celebrations in Hampton Roads. Va. Beach Craft Beer Festival
Autumn is harvest time in much of the world. Oktoberfest in Munich, celebrating the arrival of the new production of beers, is a time to reap the fruit of Germany's rich harvest. Pleasant memories of beer-hall dinners inspired this simple German-style dinner of Glazed Pork with Caraway Cabbage. For the entree, I sauteed pork chops and added a sweet-and-sour sauce made with mustard, vinegar and orange marmalade. Red cabbage flavored with apples, tart apple cider and caraway seeds makes a zesty, colorful side dish.
There's always room for one more at a German wine festival: one more person, one more glass, one more story. They just scooch down the picnic bench a bit to squeeze in the neighbor they haven't seen in a couple of months, the woman who works at the apothecary down the street, the tourists from America. All are friends who just haven't met yet. Munich may draw the masses for the beers of Oktoberfest, but throughout September and October, the tiny towns and villages among the wineries of the Pfalz and Baden region, known as the Palatinate, take turns celebrating harvest season and sampling last year's vintage, freshly bottled out of the barrels.
th Oktoberfest is officially tapped BERLIN (AP) -- Munich's mayor has tapped the first keg, opening this year's annual Oktoberfest in southern Germany, where millions of guests from around the globe are expected to clink mugs of frothy beer in celebration of 200 years of the world renowned festival.
Got your Wies'n Hendl? Warmer Leberkse and pretzel? Brats and beer? Then put on your lederhosen, break into a yodel and roll out the barrels. Like being Irish for a day on St. Patrick's Day, many people become German this time of year for Oktoberfest, a beersoaked festival born in Munich and replicated in towns throughout the U.S.
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