Oktoberfest

The history of Oktoberfest goes back to 1810 when King Joseph Maximilian of Bavaria married Princess Theresa of Saxonie. This royal celebration was held in a large meadow near Munich, now know as the Theresienwiese (named after the princess). The meadow is still preserved as open space. Originally it was going to be a simple celebration with horse races but once beer drinkers got involved it grew into an annual festival. This year (2004) Oktoberfest celebrates its 185th anniversary. Each year the Oktober festival begins with the tapping of the first cask, when the clock of St. Pauls in Munich, strikes 12 o'clock on the opening day. A huge parade takes place with costumes, bands, horse drawn beer wagons, and floats.

Germany is the true home of Oktoberfest but the celebration has spread much farther over the years. In the US it is more often spelled Octoberfest and celebrated in most brewpubs and taverns. Octoberfest celebrations will not go away, so each year when autumn rolls around you can look forward to a big happy gathering, somewhere nearby. Give thanks and finish it! I choose to celebrate Oktoberfest with a barrel of Meisterbrau. Mmmm, that's good.