[Please scroll way down for my Heads or Tails?-entry. Thank you!]

We´re right here, at the “Wiesn” to experience the Oktoberfest fun and Bavarian “Gemuetlichkeit”.

The locals in Munich fondly refer to Oktoberfest as „die Wiesn“ because of its location, Theresienwiese, which was named after Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

With the traditional words “O’zapft is!” (”The barrel has been tapped”) - the Munich major Christian Ude declared the Oktoberfest 2007 open.

From September 22 to Oktober 10 the world’s largest beer festival will attract about six million people, including us Cyber Cruisers, who are expected to consume innumerable litres (”Masskruege” in Bavarian) of the famous Oktoberfest beer.

You may ask yourself “Why is Oktoberfest called „Oktober”-fest when it actually begins in September?”

The historical background: the first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on October 17th with a horse race. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated and, later, the festival was prolonged and moved forward into September.

By moving the festivities up, it allowed for better weather conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over “die Wiesen” or the fields much longer without feeling chilly. Historically, the last Oktoberfest weekend was in October and this tradition continues into present times.

This year a a liter of beer (the „Mass” Oktoberfest Beer) costs between 7.70 (10.94 USD) and 8.00 Euros (11.36 USD).

The Beer Serving Hours are weekdays from 10am - 10:30pm, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9am - 10:30pm. The daily Tent closing time is 11:30pm, but the “Kaefer Wiesn-Schaenke” and the “Weinzelt” are open until 1am. Last call for alcohol is 12:15am.

You can also shop at the sales booths for souvenirs or visit the carnival and rides.

But we´re mainly here to visit the big tents. And there it is - the agony of choice:

It is true that the Oktoberfest-visitor doesn’t have it easy: with 14 tents to choose from, and each one more awesome than the other! In order to facilitate the choice, I have gathered all relevant information regarding the tents including pictures and a short description of each.

1.) The Hippodrom - truly “hip”

One of the favorite tents of the Munich locals. Although it’s important to note that one shouldn’t start looking for a place to sit too late, as the Hippodrom is somewhat smaller than the other tents.

Mainly frequented by the younger crowd. A stylish sekt (sparkling wine) bar lends the Hippodrom a special flair. It is also highly recommendable for singles, as the flirt factor is one of the highest at the Wiesn.
Even celebrities have discovered the Hippodrom, which in turn ensures a good amount of autograph seekers.
Seating capacity inside: 3,200 / outside: 1,000 /Brewery:Spaten-Franziskaner-Braeu/ Music: “Fetzentaler”, “Simmisamma”

2.) Armbrustschuetzen - Bull’s Eye!

The Oktoberfest crossbow competition is considered one of the great Wiesn highlights. The marksmen have been letting it fly since 1895. But don’t worry; this tent doesn’t only feature marksmen and shooting.

It is also especially comfortable and the proprietor Peter Inselkammer and his team will ensure that your physical well-being isn’t neglected. Regardless whether you choose to sample the roast chicken, knuckle of pork or traditional sausages with sauerkraut, you’re sure to hit the Bull’s Eye each time!

Good company and great fun go hand in hand in this tent, which may also have to do with the excellent Paulaner beer.

Last but not least, the Unterbrunner brass band music does their part by getting the visitors into the “groove”.
Seating capacity inside: 5,830 /outside: 1,600 /Brewery: Paulaner /Music: “Unterbrunner Blasmusik”

3.) Hofbraeu Festhalle - World famous

The counterpart to the Hofbraeuhaus located in the city of Munich is also a huge tourist attraction at the Wiesn.

The proprietors know how to treat their guests well. It is not uncommon to already find Mass glasses being raised to toasts and guests rocking back and forth to the music at midday. This is not least because Hofbraeu guests come from all over the world. Americans and Austrians feel especially happy here.

True Bavarian delicacies and other specialties can be purchased at economical prices during midday.
Seating capacity inside: 6,896 / outside: 3,022 /Brewery: Hofbraeu Muenchen /Music: “Plattlinger Isarspatzen”

4.) Hacker - Bavarian Heaven

The slogan is integral to the Hacker-Festzelt philosophy: when surrounded by clouds and stars with a cold Mass (liter of beer) in the hand, you may feel as though you are truly in a “Bavarian Heaven”.

The proprietors have really planned something special for all those in need of a break from brass band music this year: every evening starting at 5:30pm, a Rock’n ‘Roll-Band will perform and get the beat going.
Seating capacity: 9,300 / Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr / Music: “Cagey Strings Rock’n’Roll Band”, “Kirchdorfer Musi”

5.) Schottenhamel - Pure Tradition

The Schottenhamel is one of the most important tents of the Wiesn, as everything starts inside this tent.

On the opening day of the Wiesn, at 12 pm on the dot, the major of Munich, will tap the first keg and call out “O’zapft is!” confirming that the tapping was successful. It is only after this that all other tents may begin to serve beer.

It’s hard to believe that the Schottenhamel tent, which in 1867 was just a small beer booth with 50 seats, has become the largest Wiesn tent with circa 10,000 seats. The Schottenhamel is the favorite hunting ground for Munich’s young people who meet there to drink and party.
Seating capacity inside: 6,000 / outside: 4,000 /Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Braeu / Music: “Otto Schwarzfischer Blaskapelle”
6.) Winzerer Faehndl - A toast to Gemuetlichkeit (great fun)

A further place to meet celebrities at the Wiesn, which is in great part due to the fantastic atmosphere in this cozy tent.

“Gemuetlichkeit” is a very important feature of the tent, and the proprietors ensure that stays that way.

They decorate their Faehnd’l with great care and authentic Bavarian details. It is here that many Oktoberfest visitors unexpectedly end up staying for a long time. The Blaskapelle Ruhmannsfelden provide for the right beer-atmosphere. Sing-along allowed!
Seating capacity inside: 8,450 /Seating capacity outside: 2,450 / Brewery: Paulaner /Music: “Heinz Mueller - Blaskapelle Ruhmannsfelden”

7.) Schuetzen-Festzelt - Under Bavaria’s eyes

The Schuetzen-Festzelt with its 4,442 seats is a mid-sized tent. The “Niederalmer” (music group) provide for a good atmosphere and many other surprises.

One thing, which has made this tent world-famous, is the sucking pig prepared in an authentic Bavarian manner in malt beer sauce and served with coleslaw. It is even served in the traditional “lukewarm” Bavarian manner and will melt in your mouth! Enjoy your meal.
Seating capacity: 4,442 / Brewery: Loewenbraeu / Music: “Die Niederalmer”

8.) Kaefer’s Wies’n-Schaenke - Celebrity meeting place and gourmet temple

No longer a secret: celebrities from all over the world, and especially those from Munich flood into Kaefers Wies’n-Schaenke. That’s no wonder since proprietor Michael Kaefer has created an extremely comfortable and cozy retreat in his comparatively small tent at the Wiesn.

It’s obvious: the gourmets are truly at home here and the delicious Kaefer-roasted duck is something that should not be missed.

In contrast to the other tents, Kaefer´s is open until 00:30 am. However, it’s very difficult to get past the bouncer after 11 pm unless you have connections or are a well-known celebrity.
Seating capacity inside: 1,000 / outside: 1,900 /Brewery: Paulaner / Music: “Alpen Yuppies”, “California Sun”, “Party Gang”

9.) Weinzelt - A glass of wine…

…isn’t bad either.

Who is to say that you always have to drink beer at the Wiesn? The Wine Tent offers a selection of more than 15 different wines, in addition to different types of Sekt (sparkling wine) and champagne.
The proprietors of the wine tent are the Kufflers. They have been a part of Munich’s gastronomy scene for a long time, and know very well what Wiesn visitors will appreciate.
Seating capacity inside: 1,300 /outside: 600 / Brewery: extensive wine-, Sekt- and champagne selection (i.e. from the Nymphenburger Sekt cellars), Paulaner Weißbier /Music: Three bands play from 11 am to 12 pm

10.) Loewenbraeu - A lion marks the spot

A favorite meeting place which cannot be overseen: The entrance to the Loewenbraeu tent is decorated with a massive lion, which is 4.50 meters high.

Don’t be scared when the king lets out an authentic sounding roar every couple of minutes. A further feature: It is no surprise that this beer tent is the meeting point for fans of the TSV 1860 Munich soccer team as they are also called “Lions”. If you are searching for extraordinary hospitality and a bombastic atmosphere, you’re guaranteed to find it here!
Seating capacity inside: 5,700 / outside: 2,800 / Brewery: Loewenbraeu /Music: “Bert Hansmaier’s Heldensteiner”

11.) Braurosl - True Wiesn tradition

The Heide family has solidly managed the tent “Braeurosl” for seven generations. The name of the tent originates from the daughter of the brewery owner Pschorr.

Entertainment is of great importance in this tent: a tent-own yodeler, who answers to the name “Bräurosl” during the Wiesn (in honor of Rosi Pschorr), ensures a good atmosphere and traditional Bavarian songs. But that’s not all! Because when “Braeurosl” goes on break, the Luwig Thoma-Musicians take up the beat and pump up the heat.

Last but not least, the South Tirol Spitzbuam (musicians) perform daily during lunchtime, and 6 - 7pm.
Seating capacity inside: 6,000 / outside: 2,200 / Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr / Music: “Ludwig Thoma-Musicians”, “Suedtiroler Spitzbuam”

12.) Augustiner-Festhalle - Family friendly and great fun

The proprietor of the Augustiner-Brewery has built up something very special during the course of the past sixteen years: this tent is considered to be the friendliest of all at Oktoberfest. The waiters/waitresses (almost) never forget to smile, regardless how busy or hectic it gets.

Families also feel very comfortable in this tent: on both Tuesdays during the Wiesn there is a “kids day” with especially low prices. The excellent Augustiner beer also contributes to ensuring a great atmosphere – which often already gets into full swing in the middle of the afternoon!
Seating capacity inside: 6,000 / outside: 2,500 / Brewery: Augustiner Braeu Wagner KG / Music: “Augustiner Oktoberfest Band directed by Reinhard Hagitte”

13.) Ochsenbraterei - All kinds of oxen

When visitors look at the entrance of the Ochsenbraterei, where an over-dimensional ox is slowly turning on a huge spit, it is easy to understand what this tent stands for.

The Ochsenbraterei does indeed offer an amazing variety of different oxen specialties. One look at the menu and many visitors will be awestruck at the great variety of dishes that can be created with an ox.
Be careful… the great atmosphere and excellent brass music can lead to extensive partying.
Seating capacity inside: 5,900 / outside: 1,500 /Brewery: Spaten /Music: “Festzeltkapelle Bruno Gress”, Traditional brass music

14.) Fischer Vroni - For fish lovers

Nobody gets the short end of the stick at the Wiesn. For those with no interest in pig’s knuckles and the like, Fischer-Vroni is the right place to go.

You can enjoy an authentic grilled “fish on a stick” (Steckerlfisch”) in one of the most comfortable tents at the Oktoberfest.

Even the fish preparation is an experience: the fish are skewered on a stick, and grilled in a 15-meter long row. Regardless whether walleyed pike, white fish, or salmon trout…. Your fish wishes will not go unanswered.

Sepp Folger and his Munich musicians provide the right music for your fish(ing) pleasure.
Seating capacity inside: 2,695 / outside: 700 /Brewery: Augustiner /Music: “Sepp Folger und seine Muenchner Musikanten”

Let´s have some Oktoberfest Gaudi!

Prost!

And now…
… our moment of Homer J.:

Homer: [drunk] Look, the thing about my family is there’s five of us. Marge, Bart, Girl Bart, the one who doesn’t talk, and the fat guy. How I loathe him.