A brief history of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest might now be known around the world for huge beer tents, litres of lager and plenty of lederhosen, but it began as something very different. What started as a royal wedding celebration in Munich more than 200 years ago has grown into the world’s largest folk festival, with beer becoming an increasingly important part of its story along the way. Read on as beer writer Mark Dredge explores how Oktoberfest became the celebration we know today and the beers that have helped define it. What is Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest is the most famous beer festival in the world, though to call it a beer festival is to undersell it: this is the world’s largest folk festival which just happens to serve a lot of lager. Oktoberfest lasts for at least 16 days, beginning in mid-September and usually ending on the first Sunday in October. This world-famous event, which dates back to 1810, actually began as a wedding celebration, a horse race and an agricultural fair to encourage Munich residents to e

by WSETglobal · source ↗