The Ultimate Beer Festival, Oktoberfest, Munich

Every year, some six million people descend on Munich, Germany to enjoy the world's largest fair: Oktoberfest. This two and a half week long festival displays the finest German beer, hearty local fare, and music, attracting visitors from all over the world. The event started in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Over the next 100 years, Oktoberfest grew into the celebrations we see today, culminating in the 100 year anniversary where 120,000 liters of beer were poured. The festival now opens with a twelve gun salute, and a ceremonial "tapping of the keg" by the Mayor of Munich.

The city of Munich lies in the southern German state of Bavaria, just north of the Bavarian Alps. The city features a wealth of parks such as the English Gardens, a beautiful, riverside retreat that offers stunning views and boat rentals. When in Munich, be sure not to miss out on the elaborate architecture of Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for the Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle; or the Frauenkirche cathedral, one of the largest churches in southern Germany.

The festival itself is held towards the southwest of the city centre, in the Theresienwiese field. There are currently 14 main beer tents, called Bierzelt, each containing thousands of people. The tents serve all the beers and wines from different breweries of the region. A distinctly stronger, darker Bavarian brew, which is only served by local Munich breweries, is specially created for Oktoberfest and is served in a one-liter-tankard called a "Maß", which is a shortening of "Maßkrug". These tankards are the mainstay of the festival and many visitors leave with one emblazoned with their favorite brewery's logo. Be careful when ordering a Maß in Bavaria, as using the masculine "ein Maß" instead of the feminine "eine Maß" will mark you out as a tourist, and you will happily be served a Mars Bar in return! The Maß tankards come in earthenware or glass, and often have a personalized tin lid. Some local taverns and pubs will even let you rent out shelf space to keep your Maßkrug for all of your trips.

Oktoberfest has gained such popularity that the event has been borrowed all across the world. Beer festivals have sprung up in the U.K., America, and Australia. In the U.S. there is a festival for almost every state. The biggest is in Denver, Colorado, where over 400 breweries come down to display their beers for competition at the Great American Beer Festival around the same time as Oktoberfest. Britain drinks its fair share at the Great British Beer Festival in London, an event organized by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. Britain also hosts the National Winter Ales Festival, designed to showcase interesting, distinctive British beers.

So check out our airline offers, pack your coats and your enthusiasm for great food and brew and get yourself to Oktoberfest!