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| | In 2008 Oktoberfest is to be organized in Munich from the 20th of September till the 5th of October.
The cost of a trip to Oktoberfest 2008 varies depending from what place you are coming from.
Frequently asked questions about Oktoberfest:
1) What is Oktoberfest?
The Munich beer holiday Oktoberfest is the most popular national holiday all over the world, and which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2010. About six million beer fans from all over the world attend the festival annually. The area of Theresienwiese, where the festival is held, is approximately 26 hectares. About 70% of the visitors are inhabitants of Bavaria, 30% are visitors from other parts of Germany and tourists from all over the world. During the beer festival, about 5 million liters of beer is consumed and more than 500 000 chickens and also a huge quantity of bulls and other living creatures are consumed.
Only six breweries have the right to take part in the beer festival — Spaten, Augustiner, Paulaner, Hacker-Pshorr, Hofbraeuhaus and Loewenbraeu.
Oktoberfest is probably the most democratic and most popular holiday in Germany. In the Guinness Book of world records the Oktoberfest is included as the biggest festival in the world.
A few facts:
- 30% of the annual production of Munich breweries is consumed during the beer festival;
- 12 000 persons work during Oktoberfest and out of which, about 1600 are waitresses;
- About 1500 toilets are accessible for visitors;
- Totally, about 100 000 seating places for visitors of the festival.
Traditionally the first day of the festival is Saturday and hence, the duration of the festival can vary a little bit (on an average it's 15 days). The festival comes to an end on the first Sunday in October. If the festival end falls on the 1st or 2nd of October, then the festival is continued till the 3rd of October (The Day of German Unity).
2) What does the Oktoberfest looks like?
This integral drink of the festival is, undoubtedly, the specially brewed oktoberfestbier beers, which is available only at this time of the year in 14 festival pavilions.
The Oktoberfest is popular worldwide for its huge beer tents (or beer pavilions), in some of which 10000 people can be accommodated. Tents such as “Lowenbrau”, “Augustiner”, and “Weinzelt” are provided, where various wines are served and a tent Die Fischer-Vroni - for fish fans - with a total of 14 tents.
3) How much does a beer cost in Oktoberfest?
In 2007, a one liter mug of beer (ein Mass) cost from 7.70 to 8.00 euros (in 2006 from 7.0 to 7.70 euros). Other drinks – table wine about 5.5 euros for one liter, juice and other soft drinks – about 6 euros for one liter. In 2008, most likely, the prices may remain unchanged, but may change and may be slightly costlier (due to inflation).
4) What are the dates of the festival and the working hours?
In 2008, Oktoberfest will start on the 20th of September (Saturday) will end on October 5. The working hours of beer tents is from 10AM (on weekends, from 9AM) up to 23:30 (last order–22:30). Pavilions “Kafer Wiesn-Schanke” and “Weinzelt” work till one o'clock in the morning (last order – 00:15).
5) Is it required to reserve places in beer tents on Oktoberfest?
Yes, it is recommended first of all during the holidays, in the evenings and especially for groups of more than 6 people. And during week-days it is very difficult to find empty seats for a group of more than five to six people. Without a preliminary reservation, we recommend you to come no later than 12:00 during week-days and as soon as possible in the holidays …. But, at the same time, it is necessary to consider, that NO MORE THAN 25% of the reservations are preliminary reservations and more often, there is no possibility to reserve before hand. Oktoberfest – is a democratic holiday, it is for everyone and no VIP zone etc is available in the Oktoberfest. It implies that anyone can come and anyone could occupy the seats.
6) How is it possible to reserve places in beer tents in Oktoberfest and how much would it cost?
It is possible to book places in some tents and on some dates in advance. Depending on the day of the week and the pavilion, costs may vary from 70 to 150 euros per person and includes, besides the actual reservation of a place, 2 liters of beer and one main course (as a rule, in some pavilions in a different manner).
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Oktoberfest is coming... All the Germany prepares for celebrations September 20 to October 5, and is expecting massive number of visitors from Europe and the rest of the world.
