Oktoberfest is much more than a beer festival: it is an international icon of Bavarian culture, an event that every year attracts millions of visitors from around the world to Munich.
It traditionally takes place between late September and the first week of October, lasting about 16 days.
But how did this celebration start? And which beers make it unique?
The origins of Oktoberfest: from royal wedding to global tradition
The history of Oktoberfest goes back to 1810, when on October 12 the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (future King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen was celebrated. To mark the event, the entire population of Munich was invited to the fields outside the city walls, renamed Theresienwiese ("Therese's Meadow"), the site that still hosts the festival today.
The initial celebration lasted five days and ended with a spectacular horse race. The idea was so popular it was repeated the following year, becoming a tradition.
In 1811 The event was enriched by the Bavarian agricultural fair and only in 1818 The first rides appeared and beer made its entrance — although it had actually been the star of an end-of-summer festival in Franconia for centuries.
In the mid-16th century, a Bavarian edict prohibited brewing beer during the hottest months (from St. George's Day, April 23, to St. Michael's Day, September 29). Citizens dug kilometers of cellars into the rock to keep beer cold during the summer. From September 30 brewing could resume and the barrels had to be emptied — by drinking their contents. It seems this custom contributed to the Oktoberfest tradition.
In 1896 breweries began replacing small kiosks with huge tents: the format we know today was born. Only in 1950 was the traditional ritual introduced of the mayor of Munich opening the first barrel, followed by 12 cannon shots that kick off the celebrations.
In over two centuries of history, the festival has only been suspended during the world wars and serious epidemics, maintaining its identity intact: a tribute to conviviality, the beer of the "six sisters of Munich," and Bavarian gastronomy.
The official beers of Oktoberfest
Not all beers can claim the title of Oktoberfestbier. Only six historic Munich breweries, known as "the six sisters," have this privilege: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus (HB), Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.
These beers have specific characteristics:
- Style: robust lagers, full-bodied
- Color: bright golden yellow
- Alcohol content: between 5.8% and 6.3%
- Service: in the famous Maß, the one-liter mugs symbolizing the festival
Märzen: the traditional beer
The Märzen is the historic star of Oktoberfest. Brewed in March (hence the name) and matured during the summer, it is an amber, malty beer with delicate toasted notes, more structured to last until the end of the summer season.
Festbier: the modern choice
In recent years, Festbier has taken over: lighter, clearer, and therefore more "drinkable," ideal for long festival days.
Not just beer: food and conviviality
Oktoberfest is synonymous with beer, but also with traditional Bavarian cuisine. During the event, you can enjoy dishes that are not light but definitely flavorful, such as:
- Würstel and pretzels
- Pork knuckle and roast chicken
- Potato and sauerkraut salads
All accompanied by the unique atmosphere of the tents, with live music and a sense of community that makes this festival unforgettable.
Oktoberfest is the perfect balance between tradition and spectacle, with iconic beers, typical dishes, and a history spanning over two centuries.
Celebrate Oktoberfest at home
You don't have to go to Munich to experience the spirit of Oktoberfest. Discover the selection of German and Bavarian beers on Maltese — Märzen, Festbier, Helles and much more, with shipping throughout Italy. Prost! 🍺
