Oktoberfest
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “History and beer culture”.
Explanation
The world’s largest folk festival takes place in Munich. It began in 1810 with a horse race for the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Only Munich breweries may serve there, offering their slightly stronger festival beer in the one-litre Mass. There are offshoots all over the world, for example in Blumenau, Brazil.
Test your knowledge
What was the occasion for the first Oktoberfest in 1810?
- The end of a war
- The opening of the Hofbräuhaus
- The wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese
Show answer
Correct: The wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Back then there was a horse race. The festival meadow is still called Theresienwiese after the bride.
Which breweries may serve beer at Munich’s Oktoberfest?
- All Bavarian breweries
- Only the Hofbräuhaus
- Only the six big Munich breweries
Show answer
Correct: Only the six big Munich breweries. They are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten.
In which country is “Blumenau”?
- Brazil
- Canada
- USA
Show answer
Correct: Brazil. The town was founded in 1850 by the German pharmacist Hermann Blumenau. Its Oktoberfest has been held since 1984, and the Eisenbahn brewery brews here in the German style.