Soon to be Merry Christmas

As you enjoy any and all festivities, please remember that it is time to start thinking more seriously about next year's travel plans.

The dates in Munchen have been established, so it is now your turn to start thinking about travel plans. Currently only six Oktoberfestians have committed, but maybe as plans begin to be made, others will see the light. If you know of anyone "on the fence", please give them a shout. I have stopped hassling potential attendees a long time ago. They should be self motivated.

I would like to give Anton at the Hotel Alfa our first "heads-up" on room requirements in mid-January. Right now that would be only two rooms; assuming barbus and Schlumberger Lady do their own again.

Have a Fröhliche Weihnachten and a Glückliches Neu Yahr, and remember my second hip replacement surgery will be January 2nd. Oktoberfest 2018 will be the first time in many years I should be able to walk and party without any physical issues. Now, mental issues are another story.

Who the F@ck is Alice

A video sung by the original group...

Say 'Hi' to my cousin Susan!

Hopefully she's joining us next year.

Take me home... to where I belong...Munich!

Was in Santa Monica yesterday and heard the dulcet tones of a song that took me back to the tents!!

The dates are decided...

Ignore all the previous posts. The Oktoberfest 2018 dates have been decided. We will do our traditional 4-day visit, but will shift it a day earlier. Arrivals will occur on Thursday, 27 September with departures on Monday, 1 October. See the calendar below.

There may be other pre-trips arranged, but the time in Munich is established. Go forth and drink.

The High Finances of Oktoberfest

Please correct me where I am wrong, but by my estimation, we are no better or worse off from an exchange rate perspective from our original trip.

Here are some data points:

In 1993, the exchange rate was $1.00 = 1.637 DM (Deutsche Marks)

The official exchange rate for the Euro when introduced was 1€  =  1.95583DM

Today, $1.00  =  .85€

So, $1.00 in 1993  =  .83€ today.

High finance for sure. Are my calculations correct?

Paging Alkoholische

What are your thoughts about next year's fest?

It appears that our traditional four day visit will be shifted one day; arrive on Thursday depart on Monday. It also appears we have pretty much settled on the second weekend; 27 Sept to 01 Oct. Pretty interesting how plans can quickly evolve almost a year in advance. Only four more months and we'll be thinking about plane reservations.

Sure would like to have you and/or betrunken join us for the 25th Anniversary celebration. There is a rumor that some bier will be consumed.

What will be the dates of the 2018 visit?

Barbus has asked...

"When will it be? 1st, 2nd week? Mid-week? Weekend?"

Obviously nothing has been determined yet, but Chugger, the all knowing all magnificent Grand Pubah would recommend something like this:

Isn't this depressing?

 The tear down has begun.

Oktoberfest 2017 in Review

6.2 million visitors and 7.5 million liters of beer served

Top 10 countries:the USA, Great Britain, Austria, France, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Denmark

Tent security confiscated roughly 120.000 mugs

Only One More Day

Tomorrow, October 3 is the last day of Oktoberfest 2017. I know we were all there in spirit, and looking forward to next year's 25th Anniversary Visit.

Next year's sojourn could be the Uber Trip II. The number of people expressing interest keeps growing. Maybe we should pick a date, and then tell everyone else a different date.

Potential attendees already include:

Chugger and Designated Walker
Barley Man and Paulaner Girl
Barbus and Schlumberger Lady
Alcoholische
Einfahrt (not confirmed)
Bob and Terry
Psycho (not confirmed)

That's 11, beyond our previously, but not enforced, limit. Oh well.


Prost to another successful Oktoberfest.

The celebration has begun.

How to catch a man.

The look on your face when you realize you're not going to Oktoberfest this year.

Never to Early

Escondido Brewer makes it big.... in Germany!

Stone is a great brewer..  their Berlin Brewhouse... a success!!

http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-germany-california-beer-20170808-story.html

A Trip That Lives in Infamy

Oktoberfest 1993 - A Trip That Has Lived in Infamy

Yes, it was that one trip that started it all. You can read about the genesis of the trip at this link. We were so excited and amazed at everything Oktoberfestian; beer flowing in the streets, sausages a mile long, and pork knuckles in every pot. It made us wonder, "how could we have missed this event"?

As great as that trip was, it took us four more years to try it again. And like before, it was an event to remember. It was so good, it started the biennial tradition that continued for 20+ years. That's right, next year will be the 25th anniversary of the "virgin trip", aka the Stair Diving Olympics.

I have put out the challenge to the original Oktoberfestians to participate in the 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour; Barley Man, Designated Walker, Einfahrt and Psycho. Others may join, but the gauntlet has been set.

Let's see what transpires, and please feel free to comment.

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

New Job Opportunity

Check out the video above, construction for the 2017 Fest looks like it is well along.

German Flag

2017 Oktoberfest LOGO

                                    The LOGO always looks better on the years we don't go!

Beer prices posted for this years event!

Anyone going this year?

I can't,  but am interested in 2018!!

Oktoberfest 2017 Beer Prices

Cultural Collisions

 Glad to know that Bavaria is such a big fan of your POTUS. Sounds we Will have fun at Oktoberfest 2017 https://youtu.be/vmHj9FKvv38

Oktoberfest 2017

Yes,  it is an odd year,  and vacation time has been cleared.  Who's in?