Oktoberfest: A Players Guide

[Wildrow12]

So....yeah.

After a chat with a friend of mine who just came back from Munich, I am seriously considering
going to Oktoberfest next year (it's too late for me to go now). So I turn to you, my fellow
escapists, for tips and advice concerning the festivities.

Any advice would be appreciated (places to go, people to eat, survival tips, local etiquette, etc).

Educate me.

 

[Skeleon]

Well, first and foremost, get (a bit) loaded before going there so you don't have to buy as much alcohol there, the prices are inhumane.
Secondly, do visit the main tent, there's always a grand feast there. It's difficult to get in, though, because everybody wants a piece.

 

[Danny Ocean]

Educate me.

Ahem. Maybe this? [http://matadornights.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-oktoberfest/]

 

[Zetsubou]

Although it's germany, eating people is still frowned upon. Do it in the comfort of your own country, so as not to cause an international incident.

Anything else, um......drink lots and eat lots of sausage.

 

[Wildrow12]

Well, first and foremost, get (a bit) loaded before going there so you don't have to buy as much alcohol there, the prices are inhumane.
Secondly, do visit the main tent, there's always a grand feast there. It's difficult to get in, though, because everybody wants a piece.

Ah, I heard about the monstrous prices....how bad? 3 euro a pint for the cheaper brew?

 

[Skeleon]

Ah, I heard about the monstrous prices....how bad? 3 euro a pint for the cheaper brew?

Last time I went, the smaller mugs were 5 Euros and the big ones 10. No kidding!
I don't know how pricy they were this year, though, didn't go.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I would recommend you DO NOT go dressed like your avatar.

 

[Wildrow12]

Although it's germany, eating people is still frowned upon. Do it in the comfort of your own country, so as not to cause an international incident.

Anything else, um......drink lots and eat lots of sausage.

Awwwww......

 

[Wildrow12]

I would recommend you DO NOT go dressed like your avatar.

But...but....everybody loves chickens!

 

[Wildrow12]

Ah, I heard about the monstrous prices....how bad? 3 euro a pint for the cheaper brew?

Last time I went, the smaller mugs were 5 Euros and the big ones 10. No kidding!
I don't know how pricy they were this year, though, didn't go.

GAH! Are the prices determined by the size of the mug or by the brand of the beer or a combination of both?

 

[Skeleon]

GAH! Are the prices determined by the size of the mug or by the brand of the beer?

Hmmm, I think they only sold one brand (at least in the main tent, I think it was Münchner Hofbräu, which is okay), though I'm not a 100% sure. The size definitely determines the prices there.

 

[Wildrow12]

GAH! Are the prices determined by the size of the mug or by the brand of the beer?

Hmmm, I think they only sold one brand (at least in the main tent, I think it was Münchner Hofbräu, which is okay), though I'm not a 100% sure. The size definitely determines the prices there.

Wow. I was under the impression that there were all sorts of brands available (giving everyone a chance to sample both big corporate brews, as well as the niche beers from smaller breweries). Well, learn something new everyday, huh?

But 10 euro? 10 FRAGGING EURO?!

Woah....that chills my blood just thinking about it.

 

[Skeleon]

Wow. I was under the impression that there were all sorts of brands available (giving everyone a chance to sample both big corporate brews, as well as the niche beers from smaller breweries). Well, learn something new everyday, huh?

But 10 euro? 10 FRAGGING EURO?!

Woah....that chills my blood just thinking about it.

As I said, I might be wrong about there just being one brand.
If you want to taste various German beers, maybe you ought to travel around the country instead. Or at least go to an actual bar or restaurant in Munich instead of only visiting the Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest is, after all, a big giant tourist attraction meant to make as much money as possible. It's not in the hands of small business people or private breweries...
Yeah, my father always says "it'd be cheaper to buy your beer at a pharmacy" and he's right, the prices are abhorrent. They want to -understandably - rob the tourists dry.

By the way, if you ever come through Hesse, try Schmucker beer.

 

[Nalarion]

i just got back from it, its like a carnival, but laden with puke and drunk people, its a rather disgusting trip but its fun to sit somewhere and watch drunk people stumble off the rides throwing up

 

[Wildrow12]

Wow. I was under the impression that there were all sorts of brands available (giving everyone a chance to sample both big corporate brews, as well as the niche beers from smaller breweries). Well, learn something new everyday, huh?

But 10 euro? 10 FRAGGING EURO?!

Woah....that chills my blood just thinking about it.

As I said, I might be wrong about there just being one brand.
If you want to taste various German beers, maybe you ought to travel around the country instead. Or at least go to an actual bar or restaurant in Munich instead of only visiting the Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest is, after all, a big giant tourist attraction meant to make as much money as possible. It's not in the hands of small business people or private breweries...
Yeah, my father always says "it'd be cheaper to buy your beer at a pharmacy" and he's right, the prices are abhorrent. They want to -understandably - rob the tourists dry.

By the way, if you ever come through Hesse, try Schmucker beer.

i just got back from it, its like a carnival, but laden with puke and drunk people, its a rather disgusting trip but its fun to sit somewhere and watch drunk people stumble off the rides throwing up

The more I hear....the less I want to go.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I would recommend you DO NOT go dressed like your avatar.

But...but....everybody loves chickens!

Even baby-eating chickens?

 

[Cowabungaa]

Eh....isn't all you need to do is drink lots of beer, eat a lot of bratwurst and look at the 'traditionally' clothed girls? I mean really, that's what's it all about: beer, bratwurst and boobs. Which results in a lot of drunk people, puking and sexual harassment. I say no thanks to the Oktoberfest.

 

[Skeleon]

The more I hear....the less I want to go.

Maybe I'm just a bit disillusioned because I've been there so often.
That's not to say it isn't a fun experience! Don't let our moaning dishearten you.
You should definitely visit the Oktoberfest at least once!
Just... don't expect an epiphany or something like that.

 

[Wildrow12]

I would recommend you DO NOT go dressed like your avatar.

But...but....everybody loves chickens!

Even baby-eating chickens?

ESPECIALLY baby-eating chickens!

....okay, maybe not everyone is in agreement over that particular point, but they are still chickens and they are still yummy!

 

[Wildrow12]

The more I hear....the less I want to go.

Maybe I'm just a bit disillusioned because I've been there so often.
That's not to say it isn't a fun experience! Don't let our moaning dishearten you.
You should definitely visit the Oktoberfest at least once!
Just... don't expect an epiphany or something like that.

I'm just wondering if it is just better for me to bar hop all over Germany. But you are right: if I am to truly call myself a well traveled man, I must experience festivals all over the world, wallet be damned!