Which Tent??

Which tent do you enjoy visiting the most during Oktoberfest???

Some Previous Oktoberfest Logos

Offical 2011 Oktoberfest Logo

The Dirndls Bow

Just an interesting fact - With Dirndls it’s very important to know where to tie the bow: married women wear it tied to the right; single women on the left side. In this manner men know a woman’s availability right away. Though for me whatever side they are tied on cleavage always takes the center stage…

Drink Your Share

The German bier industry is in trouble, and every little bit helps.  Be prepared to sacrifice and contribute to the well being of a culture and product we so dearly enjoy.

Reference this article on "brauereisterben" uncovered by Einfahrt.

Technical question

The most popular beer in Munich is a yellow Lager called Helles. We all agree on that.

However, most Oktoberfest beers you get have more malt and are a little darker.

At the 'fest, do we get Helles or a different Oktoberfest brew?

In the Beer Gardens, during the f'est, I usually see Helles ont he menus, but don't remember if we could also order the Oktoberfest beer.

Maybe they just give us whatever they have handy. Not sure.

What say you?

Oktoberfest - Bringing People Together

No matter what your position or views on topics, Oktoberfest has a way of bringing people together.  Whether you are conservative or liberal, capitalist or socialist, god-fearing or atheist, there is always common ground when at the Wiesn.  Here are just a few examples of conversations we tend to hear, please add additional ones that you may remember hearing:

"What do you think of ObamaCare?"
Liberal: "It has been proven that drinking high quality bier as produced here in München leads to a higher quality of life, and will actually reduce the need for healthcare."
Conservative: "I agree, can I buy you another Maß?"

"Should abortion be legalized?"
Conservative:  "I believe everyone is entitled to choice, do you prefer a Helles or a Dunkel?"
Liberal: "I'll have what your having, as long as it is fresh."

"With today's fiscal crisis, do you believe there should be drastic spending cuts?"
Liberal: "Excessive spending does lead to catastrophic consequences.  I am so glad the breweries have held the line on prices.  We are entitled to good bier at affordable prices."
Conservative: "I don't know about the 'entitled' part, but I'm sure glad we are here together to enjoy it.  Should we have another Maß?"

"Food and other commodity prices have beeen skyrocketing lately, what do you think?"
Conservative: "Maybe we should only have one Doner tonight."
Liberal: "Well, if we have our first at 23:30, by the time we are finished it will be tomorrow, and we can have another one."
Conservative: "I agree, and let's also have a Maß with the one tomorrow."

"What is your favorite tent song, Let It Be or Take Me Home Country Roads?"
Liberal / Conservative: Who The Fuck is Alice !  !???? ! ! ! !

The Aftermath of a Day Trip...

Train Orgy !  ! !

Left to right: Flying Dan, BarleyMan, Paulaner Girl, Chugger

Elementary German

My nephew, who is considering the trip, asked me what German he would need to know. I provided the following advice. Anything I missed?

Here's the German you need to know:

Bier: Bier (Drink this)
Wein: Don't drink this
Ratler: Beer and lemonade: Don't drink this unless you are a girl
Wasser: water Drink a lot of this
Dunkel: Dark Bier
Weissbier: Wheatbeer
Helles: Munich lager Bier (pretty much you'll always get)
Eis: Ice, don't worry they don't have it
Ein: One (as in Beer)
Zwei: Two (as in one for you, and one for me)
Drei: Three (another one for chugger)
Damen; Women (as in Bathroom) (Don't go in this one)
Pissort: Place to pee, usually free, usually a big trough, sometimes occupied by Australians
Herren: Place to go, sometimes have to pay
Hendl: Chicken, roasted...think rotisserrie
Rindfliesch: Usually beef
Kalbfleisch: Veal
Haxen: Pork Knuckle, roasted for few hours... very tasty
Wienerschnitzel: NOT a Hot Dog chain, but shmished pork, deep fried, like a texas tenderloin
Kartoffelsalat: Potato Salad
Sauerbraten: See web site, beef covered with a sour sauce..
Donner: Amazing Gyro like food found throughout Europe, best eaten after drinking
Gleis: Track, as in Train track, usually followed by a number
Zug: Train
Einfahrt: Fellow oktoberfester, also entrance
Ausfahrt: Exit, or what Einfahrt does after he had too much beer, worse the next day.
Flughaven: Airport
Hauptbahnhof: Main Central Train station (Bahnhof is secondary station)
Zimmer: Room
Police: Polizei
Jawohl: Yes, Used to be only heard on Hogan's Heroes, but more prevalent since German Unification
Nein: No
Verbotten: Forbidden

Thats about all you need to know. Everything else is self-explanatory. A few of use speak more than others, but we get by, and most Bavarians speak English. We are much better behaved than the Eastern Europeans, and the Australians, that they don't mind we are American.

2001 - The Aftermath of Rauch Bier in Bamberg

Ein Prosit to the all Oktoberfestians 2011

10 years ago !

Einfahrt in times he felt as a Bavarian


The happy Few

Food in Bavarian

It is all about the food. In this archive footage from 2001, at the Famed Kloster Andechs, the Oktoberfesters enjoy some good pork products and beer. (Excuse the quality, but that WAS all the way back in 2001).

For SchlumbergerLady

.......
Keith...
Sent from my BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)
Language is about communication, not spelling.

Ein Mas for BarleyMan

.......
Keith...
Sent from my BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)
Language is about communication, not spelling.

Hendl for BarleyMan

.......
Keith...
Sent from my BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)
Language is about communication, not spelling.

Guten Tag von Hofbrauhaus

.......
Keith...
Sent from my BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)
Language is about communication, not spelling.

Off to............

For the four day week,  Heading to the airport in about 30 minutes.  I'll be sure to post of a picture from the Hofbrauhaus.

Prost!

The Alfa

We are staying from Sep 22nd to the 26th. The price is not that bad and most of the reviews I have read so far seem to be mostly positive. The only complaints I have read concern the size of the stairs, elevator, and bathroom. I like the idea of being able to walk to the fest. I can’t wait!

The Affect of the 1st Bier

Here you see Einfahrt with his first bier at Oktoberfest....

And now you see the aftermath of Einfahrt's experimentation with the golden nectar...

That's Einfahrt on the right, and working left is yours truly, Chugger, Jim Von Hollie, and Mike "Psycho" Iwicki.

A Classic Traveler's Moment

One of the most memorable moments of our first trip sometimes is not believed by others.  Let me set the stage....

As we are all aware, the stereotype of Japanese tourists is the large groups with their cameras, always taking pictures.  On this trip, we were enjoying our golden nectar at the Augustiner Brau bier hall, when a large group of Japanese tourists arrived.  It was early afternoon, and they were seated not to far from our group, taking pictures.  So, being the obnoxious bier drinkers that some of us were at the time (probably alcohol induced), we decided it was appropriate to take pictures of the Japanese tourists taking pictures of us.  So here ya go...

Pics from the Original Trip

BarleyMan mentioned some interesting side trips, both of which we did on our very first trip in 1993.  So, in full cooperation with my fellow Oktoberfestians, I present to you some pictures of those sites.

Here's the Eagle's Nest....

The train ride into the Salt Mine......

Some of us in our jump suits for the Salt Mine trip.  In order, right to left... Einfahrt, Jim Von Hollie dad, Jim Von Hollie.

And finally (for now at least), the aftermath on the train ride home.  Chugger and The Designated Walker.

Fun Day Trips Part 1

Over the years we have taken many trips out into Bavaria to see the sights, and try new things. One of my favorites was the trip to Berchtesgaden. There are 2 main things to do in the town.

1. Hitler's Eagles nest. This involves a trip up to the infamous Mountain lair of Adolf Hitler. You take a bus up most of the way, then get in an elevator up to the very top. There' you will find a fantastic view of the Bavarian Alps, and a restaurant. Not much of the complex is still left, having been blown up by either the French or the US 3rd Army. A restaurant at the top does a nice business.

2. The second adventure is the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine tour. This is touristy, but different than anything you'll ever get to do in the US. First, you don some bizarre looking leather jumpers. These protect you from the wooden slides the miners used to use. Then you hop on a small train, which takes you deep within the mine. I mean, really deep. There you'll learn about salt mining, and see all sorts of stuff bored miners make out of salt. Then you get to slide down multi story wooden slides to travel between the different levels of the mine. You'll also get aboard a boat and sail across an underwater lake. How cool is that. Eventually, you get back to the train, and you go screaming out of the mine.

In Oktober, I don't remember a reservation being needed. Just take the train from Munich to Berchtesgaden, then ask for directions. Salt Mine Tour

Reservation or not to Reservation

After conferring with the Alfa hotel they can book reservations for Saturday and Sunday for 10 people, regardless how many we actually have which I believe will be 7 in our party. I don’t mind spending a bit extra but would this be the preferred way to go you think? I e-mailed them back asking as to which beer tents were available. Also, given a choice if we were to purchase reservations which tent would be the most ideal?

So, what do you do on the off year?

I see that you guys and gals hit Germany every other year. The fact that you go that many times for that many years means that the Oktoberfest in Munich is a part of life for you, a felling which I share. But what do you guys do on the off year? It must be sometimes almost unbearable around the hot days of August not to book that flight and room in Munich. So how do you get by? Do you all plan something here in the states? Or just hit something local?

Newbie to the Blog

Thank you Chugger for allowing me into the blog. I look forward to meeting some of you this year at Oktoberfest and throwing back some beer.
Prost,
Mark McLean

Advice on Lederhosen

Should one buy their Lederhosen at arrival at Munich or E-bay a pair for the trip? I would like to be dressed for the occasion as soon as my boots hit the ground but I can see the nostalgia of having one from Munich. Plus the cost is also a concern, any suggestions?

Hello All!

After replying to a couple of post Chugger had kindly extended an invitation to allow me to create a post of my own. I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has made this blog one of the best resources I have found in the planning of my groups 2011 Oktoberfest trip. More over, this blog has been like a support group for me. It is nice to know that I am not alone in my love Oktoberfest and the wonderful company, beer, food, and memories which come with this my most cherished of holydays. Hope to see you all in beautiful Munich and lift a Mass of delicious beer with you all.

Sincerely,

Betrunken

Is it best to book flights early?

Checking ticket prices and they seem a bit high. I'm pretty sure they will drop at some point, but what is the preferred method of booking? The only real concern I have is that Oktoberfest is a huge event and prices may remain high regardless of when tickets are booked.

New Oktoberfest Theme

If you remember, in January of 2010 I proposed that this year's theme be:

The idea was to turn our tradition over to our offspring.  Well, for various reasons, this hasn't worked out.  While the next generation may assume our awesome duties, it will not be this year.

As result, I propose a new theme to guide us:

Since this will be the "final" scheduled trip for some of us, we should treat the trip as a frontier to be explored while we reflect on our history.  We should have two days available for day trips, and I suggest one trip be a return to one of of favorite venues.  While I am not advocating anything at this time (a Grand Puhba Emeritus would never do that), we could revisit memories of young babies drinking bier at Kloster Andechs, or enjoy the beauty of Englischer Garden at the Chinesischer Turm .  I also propose that this year we make a point to visit a sight we have always discussed, but never visited.  Could it be time to finally go to Augsburg, or maybe even Nurnberg?

Or should we just go with the flow, drink our bier, and have a great time?

Let's hear from you, Oktoberfestions...

change of hotel

The reason to cancel the "Deutsche Kaiser" was obvious (at least if you believe the comments on one of these booking sites), but more important this one is "knee-walking" from Hofbrau Hause and Viktualien Markt.

Dentist uses Oktoberfest Dirndle dresses to distract patients

Advanced drugs can cure many ills, new technology can revolutionise surgery but sometimes a low-cut, sorry lo-tech, solution is all you need - one dentist has bought herself and her ten nurses tight-fitting, cleavage-maximising dresses to distract worried patients while they work.

The Sights of Oktoberfest

Frau Chugger ?????

Dario Diaz & Aram Guluzian Confirmed - Part II

Come on Oktoberfestians, overwhelm our newbies with information, insights, guidance, and down right worthless information.  They are looking to you to guide them to the promised land.  Show your sainthood, manliness and Oktoberfest expertise.  Try your damndest to make them say one of the following:

1. What gods these Oktoberfestians are, I aspire to their alter of bierness.
2. What a bunch of drunks.

Sometime in October will will survey the newbies to see the true answer.

2011 Oktoberfest Trip Site Launched

The all new Oktoberfest Trip site is now live for your viewing pleasure. OK, so not a lot is new, yet. But there are updated specifics, a new recipe (just for Herr Chugger) and accurate rosters.

Click Here to visit the new site!

Dario Diaz & Aram Guluzian Confirmed

We have officially confirmed our arrangements in Munich. Aram & I will be staying at the Hilton Munich City arriving on September 22, 2011 and departing on September 26, 2011. I am in the process of learning the songs. Really looking forward to going.

Great Beer Commercial

While not Germany or Oktoberfest related, it is indeed about beer.

Take me home, country road....

Let's remember...

It’s been a cold and snowy winter day here in Dayton, so I thought maybe it was time to challenge the Oktoberfestians. Hopefully this challenge can jog some lost memories and humor us all. The challenge is to remind us of a classic Oktoberfest moment that may have been lost in time.

There is only one rule/caveat; you cannot reference one of the all time moments that have gone done in Oktoberfest history. As the initiator of this topic, I declare the following top 5 events to be forever enshrined in our Oktoberfest hall of fame, and not available for discussion:

1. Iwicki Stair Diving
2. Tuna Fish Pizza
3. Assisted ATM Withdrawal
4. Bush Full of Barf
5. Rang’s Woody

For those of you that experienced these events, just enjoy the memory. For those that have no clue, maybe a future topic will explore these classics.


So, who will go first?

In Retrospect...

How did we manage a successful trip in 1993 without the Internet and this Blog?

Now on to the waiting and drinking...

Hotel reservations are made for Amsterdam and Munchen.

Flight reservations have been made for Chugger and Bob D.

Get moving Einfahrt and BarleyMan.

What do we do in Amsterdam?

I have never been to Amsterdam, so I am wondering, what does one do there. Tripadvisor has many fun options, like bike tours, Anne Frank house, and boat tours. There also seems to be a cool walking tour of WWII sites. Is there beer there? I hope Barbus does not make us play tennis.

Barbus, what say you?

Lederhosen....

Our Dutch friends, Barbus and SchlumbergerLady....

Classic Oktoberfest Songs

Who the Fuck is Alice?
via YouTube

Sierra Madre
via YouTube

Die Hände zum Himmel
via YouTube

Anton aus Tirol
via YouTube

And the Grand Daddy of all German Drinking songs, the One, The Only.....
Take Me Home Country Roads  You better learn this whether you like John Devnver or not !

BarleyMan at the Helm

Oktoberfest Hotel and Day Trips

As BarleyMan said, our hotel of choice is the Hotel Alfa.  It is convenient to the train station, The Wiesn, and other local establishments, and the staff is extremely friendly.  Best way to contact them is via email, and we usually reserve sometime in January empfang@hotel-alfa.de.

BarleyMan mentioned some great day trips for first-timers. Another favorite of ours that BarleyMan did not mention is Kloster Andechs; a wonderful old monestary with great views, great food, and some good bier as well.

 If you are planning four days in Munchen, I would suggest only two day trips though. Depending on your arrival date/time, Friday is usually a "get situated" day, which usually ends up with us at the Hofbrauhaus for most of the afternoon and evening.  You probably would want to spend one of the days just wandering around Munchen and seeing some of the local sites; Marienplatz, Glockenspiel, and some of the local bier gardens like Augustiner Keller  and Viktualienmarkt.  Of course there is also Englischer Garden with its 3 huge bier gardens.  You just need to have a general plan and be prepared to do something different at the last minute.

Tickets for the tents ARE NOT REQUIRED.  While there are reserved seats that can be purchased, these reservations technically go on sale in January, and they are almost exclusively bought up by corporations, locals and travel groups.  In the past we have been able to get reserved seats once or twice through other contacts, but it is not something you can count on.  The fun part of Oktoberfest, especially for first timers like you, would be to just go to a tent, and wander around until you can squeeze into a table.  These are the tables with the most party oriented people, and gives you the opportunity to meet people from around the world with the same common interests as you;  good bier and fun!  There are 14 tents, some seating 10k - 12k people, so you can only imagine the fun one can have.

Two good resoureces for you:

• Semi-offical Oktoberfest site. Lots of good information, trivia and history.
• Beer Drinkers Guide to Munich.  While not especially about Oktoberfest, this book guides you through many of the city's great bier establishments.  We have used this "bible" since our first trip in 1993, and I suggest this be your very next purchase. Myself, BarleyMan and Einfahrt are promently pictured as Field Researchers here --->  Linky

Beginner's Guide to Oktoberfest - Part I

Well der Kubaner, there are two big decisions you must make rather quickly; 1) when are you going and 2) how long will you go for.

In 2011, Oktoberfest runs from 17 September through 3 Oktober.  We have been on every weekend, but seem to have settled on the 2nd weekend.  This means the weekend of 23 September.  The first weekend is interesting if you want to watch the big parade that kicks off the festivities.  That weekend tends to draw alot more people at the Weisn (short for Thereisienwiese, which is the name of the area where Oktoberfest is held).  Of course you don't need to go on a weekend, it just works out best for us that way due to vacation schedules. 

We tend to arrive early Friday and leave on Tuesday, about 4 full days.  This has always been our modus operandi, and seems to work well for us.  We take trips during the day and drink in the evening.  Not to say we don't drink during the day as well.

Anyway, these two decisions are important because you then need to worry about plane tickets and hotels.  We usually have our tickets booked by the end of January/beginning of February.  We try to use frequent flyer miles, but might need to actually pay this year.  This then leads to a hotel.  As you can imagine, rooms fill up quickly, so like flight reservations, we tend to get our hotel set up at the same time.  We have been staying at a small hotel right by the train station everytime we have gone, and can provide info if you desire.

Welcome to the Blog, and keep the conversation going.  Remember, no question is a bad question.  We had to learn this the hard way, with lots of alcohol in our system.

I will let the others introduce themselves, but I am Chugger, in Dayton, OH, and have been on every trip this group has made since 1993 !  Only two of us can say that.

Welcome Our New Members...

The following are the first Oktoberfest enthusiasts to be allowed to participate in this blog without being part of the actual "Oktoberfest Contingent":

• Aram Guluzian
• Dario Diaz

These future Oktoberfestians found our blog, and BarleyMan's web site, and still thought it was important enough to contact us.  They believe we are the experts (smart guys), and wanted to join the blog to ask questions and get our insight.  Please welcome them and answer their questions as appropriate.  I do not know their plans for Oktoberfest 2011, but maybe we can guide them in the right direction.

Welcome to Aram and Dario from Chugger !

Please welcome....

... the newest member of our blog, and our official newbie for 2011, my neighbor Bob.  Bob will be joining us on this sojourn, and he promises not to meet the fate of all other newbies, the dreaded "keep up with the professionals" curse.  Only time will tell.

Say hello to Bob, treat him like family, and more importantly, suggest a screen name.

Why we go to Oktoberfest - Part II

We go for Blackmail pictures...

Why we go to Oktoberfest

To get people to experience things they never would have without our help!

We are Good Samaritans... ;-)

Possible DAY --> AMS --> MUC --> DAY Itinerary

Tue 20 Sep 2011

Depart 3:25pm     Dayton
Arrive  7:55am     Amsterdam  (Wed 21 Sept)


Fri 23 Sep 2011
Depart 7:04am     Amsterdam Centraal
Arrive  2:33pm     München Hbf


Tue 27 Sep 2011
Depart 9:50am     München
Arrive  5:56pm     Dayton

I Reiterate...

Never too early to start our planning. I tried this before, but maybe this time the conversation will move along further.

By late January or early February we usually have our plans pretty well set.  This allows us to get hotel and plane reservations.  So, with that said, let's start the discussion again, leading to some conclusions on what the 2011 sojourn looks like.

We've agreed on the weekend (2nd weekend, 24 Sept - 27 Sept), but the next decision is a pre-trip.  It's not a requirement, but always nice.  If there is a pre-trip, I recommend one of the following:

1. Amsterdam (can't go wrong here)
2. Paris (always a good choice even without spousal units)
3. Venice (previously discounted by Barleyman)

There are other options of course, including many we have not visited, but we need to consider ease of getting there, as well as ease of getting to Munchen.   The three options above have easy ingress via plane and egress via train. 

A pre-trip is not a requirement.  In fact, if we do not do one, I will probably head to Munchen a day earlier than normal (fly on Wednesday).  No real reason, maybe just yearning for some quality time with my fellow Bavarians.

Thoughts?

Maybe a Good Thing We Did Not Go This Year

Check it out.....

But we still have pictures left

more -->

My Wife's Quote

"I don't care if all the beer companies go out of business."

Who knows a good divorce lawyer?

.......
Keith...
Sent from my BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)

Ozapft is 2010

Don't know how, but we have to live with it that we are not there.
But for sure they will miss our company, so they have to live with it too.

The Calm Before the Storm !

17 - Sept at 19:51 Eastern Time.

How's This For a Pre-Trip?

Venezia !

Only a 7 hour train ride to Munchen on Friday morning.

Today My Mind Wanders

As of tomorrow, August 30th, I, along with approximately 2500 other Sterling Commerce employees, officially become an IBMer.  Certainly good in the long term for the company, and probably good from a personal perspective.  More opportunities for growth and hopefully travel.

Speaking of travel, as I peruse the web, I see that this year's Oktoberfest is only 19 days away.  That makes me wonder, which weekend will we go next year, and will there be a pre-trip?

I know, it's early, but you know us Oktoberfestians, never too early to talk about it.  I suggest we do the 2nd weekend, which seems to have become "the usual".  That would mean arrival on 23 September, with departure on 27 September.

As for a pre-trip, I say Yavohl !  Back to Amsterdam? Maybe finally do Berlin?  There's always Paris.

Just some weekend ramblings.

Why didn't this happen when we were there?

Latest from Venice Beach, CA:

Topless Day At The Beach

Another Reason we should have gone this year!

First the 200 Year Anniversary, now the Euro is below $1.20. That means a Mass of beer is about 10 bucks! Wow. Even though they raised prices this year.

Euro Falls to Below $1.20

This Year - Biggest Oktoberfest ever!

Almost wish we were going, especially with the horse races.  However, can you even imagine what this year's crowds will be like?  Yuck !

City officials announced, that this year's Oktoberfest will not go from September 18th to October 3rd, as originally planned, but will be extended on both ends!

On September 17th, a historic reconstruction of the festival in former centuries will be opened, featuring an old Oktoberfest-tent and an exhibition of domestic and working animals of those times. One of the many highlights will be the horse-races, which are planned to be held twice a day, to remember the origins of the Oktoberfest – a horse race to celebrate a royal wedding in Munich.
 

The official tapping of the first beer barrel will be celebrated on Saturday 18th at noon, as planned. To celebrate the 200th anniversary, the Oktoberfest does however not end on Sunday, October 3rd, as planned, but will be extended until Monday, October 4th. This extra day will be special in many ways, for example the beer tents don’t hand out reservations for most of their seats, so that it will be easier to get a place at a table for locals and guests, who didn’t announce their presence beforehand.

Illinois with an S!

Keith I noticed you were in Lincoln Illinois. Did you have a horseshoe for lunch? See you, lets play golf one of these days

Made it to ...

Lincoln, IL.

All in all, a wnderful day. About 9 hours to drive 150 miles. Now some time to relax, have dinner, the post some photos.

......
Keith..
Sent from My BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)

EU approves Sale Of ‘Fucking Hell’ Beer

Fucking a village in Austria

The main tourist attraction of the Austrian village of Fucking, some 35 kilometres northwest of Salzburg, is its sign. It is pronounced "Fooking" in German. Now the village, with a population of just around 90, gets a beer named after it, even though it doesn't have a brewery.

A place to visit in 2011?

A present for Chugger

Chugger,

The perfect gift for you....

Busty Mouse Pad

We may need to re-visit

Interesting happenings at Closter Ettal, site of the Barf Olympics (we all remember that one, correct?)

Click Here to see the article.

Happy Birthday Keith!!!

You may be getting too old for this Interwebs stuff, but surely you are tipping a few frosty cold adult beverages we have heard so much about?

Hope it it a good one...

I know it's early, but....

I'm sitting here with my mind wandering, thinking of the sweet nectar. Then I thought, oops, this is Wednesday, so the sweet nectar will be Bad Juans at Elsa's tonight; but I digress.

I was wondering about our theme for the 2011 trip. I know, don't I have anything better to do? But, no, not when it comes to Oktoberfest. Anyway, Einfahrt and I were discussing this topic recently, and think we came up with a good theme. It doesn't look back, implies looking forward, and most importantly builds on the tradition of this excursion and venue.

Our idea recognizes our history and expertise with these sojourns, and also emphasizes how we want to continue, even when we might not be able to partake ourselves. The theme for 2011 would encompass all that has been learned, while cementing our place in history.

The theme:

This trip would require each Oktoberfestian to bring along at least one offspring (son or daughter), for part or all of the trip.  While this has occurred haphazardly in the past with both Papa Lynch & Einfahrt,  Einfahrt & Little John, and who could forget Joe & Patric, we have not had an organized acknowledgment of the responsibilities of The Next Generation Oktoberfestians.

This allows us to show our offspring what they have been missing, further educate them on the fine things in life, and set a goal to which they should aspire to.  Now I know that for some of us it will be difficult to choose the next standard bearer, and might become expensive if multiple offspring come along.  But the overall "touchy feeliness" of the moment will be unique and savored for eternity.

New Year's Day Beer Call

Not being one given to superlatives, or to exaggeration, this may be the finest beer I've had this year! Actually, maybe the finest I've had in several years. If you find it, buy it, try it. This was a gift, so I've no idea where to find it, or how much it costs. Truly great beer!


Happy New Year!

Gotta get me some

We need to try this:

Tactical Nuclear Penguin

Oktoberfest Alkmaar Oct. 30-2009

Because we could not wait till 2011 !!

Fancy at the Wies'n

Boys at Hofbrauhaus

......
Keith..
Sent from My BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)

Day 1

We all survived. The biggest damage was to our livers.

Pics to come at some point.

......
Keith..
Sent from My BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)

Check your emails me hearties!

Aye, you scurvy dogs. Comin to munich, eh??? Well, avast ye to your email and get me mobile number for use in the continent... Barleyman

S U R P R I S E - Scheduled Arrival Change.

Sorry Barleyman, Sorry PaulanerGirl.
This year we will be the first in Munich. Our arrival now is scheduled Thursday afternoon. How about Breakfast at ViktualienMarkt Friday Morning 9.30 a.m.
Cheers and have fun in Paris. B&S

New Bier Hall to Visit

In a recent email exchange with Herr Hawthorne, our Munchen Bier Obermeister, he has suggested a new locale that will appear in the next edition of The Beer Drinker's Guide to Munich. The place is Gasthaus Alte Messe, located just off the Wiesn. Check out their website here (Alte Messe), and here is where it is located....

Hirtenstrasse and surroundings

Munchen Road safety experts are drawing up special road signs warning drivers of drunks in Hirtenstrasse and surroundings a landmark legal ruling ahead of Europe's biggest beer festival.

They expect erratic behaviour from pie-eyed pedestrians walking to the Alfa Hotel during this weekend long booze-up.

"They are not like ordinary pedestrians. They are almost uniformly drunk and liable to behave very strangely and dangerously. Motorists need to beware," said one traffic expert

Andechs ?

Are we planning to visit Andechs?

I just had a client ask for consulting time this Friday. When I explained where I will be he went into a good-natured fit of jealousy - he was there last year and had the best time of his life. He highly recommends a visit to Andechs.

I will follow the, "leaders," in our troup - just offering this for consideration.

:)

Weather Forecast for Munchen

While we all know that weather forecasts are worth, well, we all know what they are worth. But according to the current 10 day forecast, the weather for our trip should be more than tolerable:

Two posts in one

First - as the newbie to this excursion, I am honored to buy a round and would be pleased to purchase the first full one (ie, after all have arrived), Chugger's sense of fairness notwithstanding.

Second - what attire are y'all packing? Particularly Barlyman and Paulener Girl as your blood is thinned, like mine, by warner climes - flannel shirts and jeans or T-shirts and shorts?

Danka!

A historical perspective

Great pics of older O'fests

h/t Jack

O'zapft is!

Oberbürgermeister Christian Ude hat das Oktoberfest 2009 eröffnet. Zum Anzapfen des ersten Fasses benötigte er zwei Schläge.

Mayor Christian Ude opened the Oktoberfest 2009th For tapping the first barrel, he needed two shots.

Let the revelry begin.

Bon Voyage

To BarleyMan and Paulaner Girl.

Have a great time in Paris. I am envious that you leave first and arrive in Munchen first. Please have a bier waiting for us at Hotel Alfa; don't want to go to The Wiesn on an empty stomach.

Safe travels, and see you in 7 days !
......
Keith..
Sent from My BlackBerry (excuzz any spelling missteaks)

Henk/Gemma... You must go here

Why didn't you tell us this was in Amsterdam? Joyce would love this place...


Museum of Bags and Purses

573 Herengracht

Amsterdam

Tel. +31 20 524-64-52

Fax. +31 20 524-64-53

info@tassenmuseum.nl

www.tassenmuseum.nl
Update Listing
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The Museum of Bags and Purses contains more than 3,500 bags and accessories that illustrate the history of women's purses in Western culture.

Correction