Oktoberfest!

We took an early morning train from Zurich to Munich and got to town around noon. We're staying a block from the train station and from there its only a 10 minute walk to Oktoberfest. Even though the train left at 7am, there were plenty of people dressed in lederhosen and already drinking beer. Once we arrived, we went into the first tent we saw and got into the spirit.

Shauna took a sip and didn't like it so it was up to Ryan to finish both liters. She's never drank more than a sip of beer anyother time so it wasn't too surprising.
Time to get to work

Big beers, big pretzels....what's not to like?

In the middle of most all tents is an Oom-pah band.

Mission accomplished, time to move on. Each beer is a liter and that's about three 12 ounce beers to a liter so to drink just shy of the equivalent of a six pack with lunch was a bit more than Ryan would've liked.

The tent we drank at, serving Paulaner beer.

Hofbrau, the most famous beer hall in Munich is the Hofbrauhaus which dates from 1589 and is currently owned by the state of Bavaria.

Spaten, a Munich classic



Another Paulaner tent

Lowenbrau tent


Inside the Lowenbrau tent, we just walked through and didn't stop for a drink.

On the same grounds as the beer tents is a carnival atmosphere of rides, games, and various junk food. We couldn't imagine the nausea that being drunk and going on the rides would induce.


If one would like to combine a ride and drinking beer, that wish is catered for with a merry go round that serves beer.

Before leaving, we saw a stand where Shauna could finally get a drink and she went for a sparkling rose. Tomorrow, we'll do our best to find a beer tent which serves both wine and beer.

To round out the day, we headed to an old style beer hall for sausages and more beer for Ryan. The smallest size that beer is served in is a half liter so sampling different types is a lengthy process. Last year he visited the Great American Beer Festival in Denver but Munich during Oktoberfest is a lot more fun.