Beer Festivals in Germany
siddlobo
23 April, 2008 06:40
Germany has long
been a shrine for beer lovers from around the world. Two of the biggest
and
most popular beer festivals in the world take place in Germany. The
most popular is Munich’s world renowned Oktoberfest which strangely
enough takes place
in September. The second most famous beer festival is the Stuttgart
Beer
Festival. There are officially two Stuttgart festivals, one in spring
and one
in autumn. And here’s the good news – the Stuttgart Spring Festival is
just
around the corner. Let’s take a look at these three big and happening
places to
be if you enjoy guzzling gallons of your favourite brew.
Stuttgart Spring Beer Festival
This is an annual fair that will be taking place in Stuttgart from April 12th to May 5th
this year. It will be happening
in the traditional fair grounds of Stuttgart’s Bad Cansstatt district.
This is
a slightly smaller version of the autumn festival but none-the-less,
it’s big
enough to attract the attention of beer lovers from across Germany and
Europe.
Some of its key attractions are its live bands, huge Ferris
wheel, roller
coasters and of course the unending flow of freshly brewed beer. All in
all, a
fantastic way to get ready for the beer season.
More information: http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/
Stuttgart Autumn Beer Festival
This is the second biggest beer festival in the world, second only to the Oktoberfest. This year,
it will be taking place between September 26th and October 12th
in Bad Canstatt, Stuttgart. This festival, also known as the Bad Canstatter Volksfest
started in 1818 when King Wilhelm 1 sponsored the festival after years of
hunger. Today, it attracts millions of visitors and houses seven huge beer
tents.
Key attractions include the world’s largest mobile Ferris wheel, tons of
roller coasters and rides, the French village where visitors enjoy a touch of
French food and music, a grand parade which traditionally takes place on the
first Sunday of the festival, fireworks on the 3rd October (which is
the German Reunification Day) and of course, an unending supply of beer.
More information: http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/
Oktoberfest, Munich
When one thinks of Oktoberfest, images of crowded beer
tents, huge beer mugs handled by big bosomed women in drendils and men
in lederhozen come to mind. All of which is true. But no words can truly
describe the experience of thousands of people crammed in a huge carnival
atmosphere enjoying the lively Bavarian music and its equally popular brew.
Each year over six million visitors throng to the Oktoberfest to be part
of this heady experience.
This year the Oktoberfest starts on September
22nd and offers its visitors a rollicking time till the end on 7th
October. Key attractions include live music, costume parades, fun fair rides
and roller coasters and an open-air music concert. If you’re looking for an
experience you’re not likely to forget, head for the Oktoberfest this
year.
More information: http://www.oktoberfest.de/
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich
See also here for a list of other Beer festivals:
http://www.beerfestivals.org
