Well, it's the month of October and in the lingo of drinking, it is also Oktoberfest!! But do anyone really understand what is Oktoberfest about and how it really began?
Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer fair held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Grmany. Running for a period of 16 days, from late September to the first weekend of October, more than 6 million people from around the world attend the event annually. Held since 1810, this event had become an important part of the Bavarian culture, and a lot of cities across the world also hold their on Oktoberfest celebrations, modeling after the original Munich event.
The history of this event actually started on 12 october 1810, when then Crown Prince Ludwig, who went on to become King Ludwig I, married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The Munich citizens were invited to attend the festivities to celebrate the happy royal event. Horse races were also held in the presence of the Royal Family to mark the close of the event. The decision to repeat the horse races in the subsequent years gave rise to the tradition of the Oktoberfest.
Towards the end of the 19th century, re-organization of the event was done, and in came more room for guests and musicians. the beer booths also became beer halls which showcased the horse teams of the breweries present.
Since 1950, there has been a traditional festival opening: A twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest beer at 12:00 by the incumbent Mayor of Munich with the cry "O'zapft is!" ("which means It's Tapped!!) opens the Oktoberfest. The Mayor then gives the first beer to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria. The first mayor to tap the keg was Thomas Wimmer. The hores racing also ended in 1960. By 1960, the Oktoberfest had turned into an enormous world-famous festival.
Traditional visitors wear during the Oktoberfest Bavarian hats (Tirolerhüte), which contain a tuft of goat hair. In Germany, goat hair is highly valued and prized, making it one of the most expensive objects for sale. The more tufts of goat hair on your hat, the wealthier you are considered to be. Technology helping, this tradition ended with the appearance of cheap goat hair imitations on the market.
Only beer conforming to the Reinheitsgebot, at a minimum of 13.5% Stammwurze (approximately 6% alcohol by volume) may be served at Oktoberfest. The beer must also be brewed within the city limits of Munich. Beers meeting these criteria may be designated Oktoberfest Beer
