Paging Alcoholische and Betrunken (and of course Jeep CJ)

Fellow Oktoberfestians.....

I'm proposing the possibility of visiting Kloster Weltenburg on Monday, 26 September. The team has been there only once, and while a beautiful place, it was memorable for the wrong reasons. This was the year of our 'Uber Trip'; 17 group members. It was raining, and there were other issues as well. We have always wanted to go back, but getting there is a challenge; train, bus, ferry, walk, etc.

So, first of all, check the place out here.

I have two options to propose if there is interest. 1) We jointly rent a car and drive. It is about 1hr. 20 mins. This gives us the most flexibility and is the most affordable. Unfortunately, this means someone becomes the designated driver. Option 2), we see about hiring a car and driver to take us. Also provides flexibility, but would be more expensive.

I don't know what you guys have planned, but if interested, let me know and I will investigate further.

Prost!

Here's a couple pics...

Jeep CJ Asks About Day Trips

It's now 81 days until arrival and Jeep CJ asked about day trips. So I guess it is time to float some ideas.

This year will only allow time for 2 out of town trips. Friday will be consumed with arrival, then the Hofbrauhaus, and maybe the Wiesn since we have a small team. Saturday will also be the Wiesn thanks to tent reservations acquired through Anton at Hotel Alfa.

Sunday is our traditional religious pilgrimage to Kloster Andechs. This isn't a full day, so getting there early enough for bier and lunch leaves plenty of time to return to Munchen early afternoon and maybe visit Englischer Gardens or the Viktrualienmarkt. Monday is still open.

Comments anyone?

New Security for Oktoberfest

"Munich Oktoberfest to get first-ever entrance checks - Revellers hoping to join in the carousing at Munich Oktoberfest will have to pass through a security check before entering the festival grounds this year, Munich authorities have said."

http://www.thelocal.de/20160428/munich-oktoberfest-to-get-first-ever-entrance-checks

Chugger the Oktoberfest Pimp / Dealer.

I say this with the best intention. That being said our first trip to Munich for the beer pilgrimage was in 2008, then again in 2011, and now 2016 you are partially responsible for our addiction.  We used your blog for advice, knowledge, and experiences. We have now started our own blog. Of course our has 20 years less experience than your but you must know the the torch has been passed and we are running strong. Cant wait to Prost and drink a beer with you at the  Hofbrauhaus Munchen, on September 23, 2016.  

85 Days from Today...

It will be a family affair in Munchen. Time to crank up the chatter on the blog. Bier prices are only marginally higher, the Euro is lower, and our thirst is building.

What more could you ask for?

Prost.

Oktoberfest Bier Prices Slightly Higher

Keith ...
Sent from my iPhone
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www.oktoberfestvisits.com

An Oldie but a Goodie...

After work, all the brew masters from the Munich breweries sit together in a pub. Needless to say, each brewer orders beer from his own brand, i.e. the Löwenbräu guy orders Löwenbräu, the Hacker-Pschorr guy orders Hacker-Pschorr, and so on. Last one to go is the Augustiner guy. He orders a Coke. Everybody is stunned, asking - "Why?" - "Well", he finally says with a wide grin, "if you are not ordering any beers, then I won't, too.

Ok. Schweinhaxen

Currywurst and red Cabbage followed by an after dinner cigar to go with your bier.

Early Training

Keith ...
Sent from my iPhone
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www.oktoberfestvisits.com

Beer Purity Law

Did you know that this year - 2016 - marks the 500 year anniversary of the German Reinheitsgebot? 

Also known as the German Beer Purity Law or Bavarian Purity Law, was made into law in Germany in 1516 as way to regulate the production of beer. It stated that German beer could only contain three ingredients: barley, hops and water. At the time, the existence of yeast had not been discovered.

The law gave the government the right to regulate the ingredients, processes and quality of beer sold to the public. Originally, it ensured that the demand for crops such as wheat-used to make inexpensive bread-did not become scarce or increase in price. Limiting the ingredients also made it safer to drink. At the time the law was introduced, people drank large quantities of beer because water supplies were often polluted. The law kept cheap and unhealthy ingredients out, ensuring the beer remained "pure" for consumers. Previously, brewers had tried everything from roots, fruits, herbs and weeds to poisonous seeds, mushrooms and animal products. Some were used as a substitute for hops and others to increase the intoxicating effect or the shelf life.

The Reinheitsgebot is no longer part of German law. It was replaced in 1993 with the Provisional German Beer Law, which allows for some additional ingredients. However, many German brewers are proud to still abide by the original law.

A Shoe-in!

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

Remember...

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Caption this Pic

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

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Barley Man Usurping his Power

The Polizei get away with alot, but what's up with his hand?

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

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No comment

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

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Paulaner Girl

Accosting the Polizei?

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

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Why is Einfahrt so happy?

Did he just.....

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

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The Dopplebock Master

Barley Man delivering a wonderful elixir, Kloster Andechs circa 2001.

Keith ... Sent from my iPhone

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Practice for Beer Corpse at the Weisn.

A followup to the previous post

This is what a naked Wiesn looks like:

Waiting for the next milestone.

The next major milestone for Oktoberfest comes in July. That is when the Theresienwiese begins its transformation. It morphs from an empty 100+ acre wasteland to a wonderful venue where dreams are fulfilled. All in about 65 days.

Here's a great discussion of what takes place.

This year's trip will be different.......

.... and somewhat disappointing. Since this is an even numbered year, we knew that attendance might not be as robust as usual. But since we missed last year, I didn't want to wait another year to renew the visits. Hence, I decided to attend and hoped others would follow. I even agreed to bring my son, along with his new moniker Jeep CJ.

Unfortunately, other traditional Oktoberfestians will not be attending. No Barley Man. No Paulaner Girl. No Einfarht. And now no Barbus or Schlumberger Lady.

Oh well, fun will still be had by all. We will hook up with Alcoholische and Betrunken and wreck havoc as usual.

Just remember, it is never too late to change your mind and go. However, costs tend to increase as you get closer.

Prost !

The Wonderful Women of Shakespeare's !

If you don't know Shakespeare's, you don't know squat.

Paging Barbus......

You have been quiet. Spending too much time on the boat already to think about your Oktoberfest Brethren?

Have you made hotel reservations yet?

Follow Another Great Blog

Two of our constituents, Alcoholische and Betrunken, also have a fine Blog that highlights their experience in Munchen, Bavaria and Oktoberfest.

Please make the effort to view their activity at Brosoktoberfest.blogspot.com.

Never too early.....

To think about day trips or daily itineraries. While we never overly plan our visits, we do like to have some idea of what we are doing. Since this will be Jeep CJ's first visit, I want to make sure we have all the highlights covered.

We arrive at about 09:30 on Friday, so that should put us at Hotel Alfa by 11:00 at the latest. Check-in, maybe a quick "wake up shower", and time to experience Munich. Probably need some lunch, so maybe a quick trip around the corner for a Donner sandwich; extra spicy of course :-)

Probably then take the traditional walk through Karlzplatz and Marienplatz on the way to the Hofbrauhaus. Depending on the weather, a few stops along the way for a bier would not be out of order. Maybe even hit the Viktualienmarkt. Then of course it's the traditional Friday afternoon escapades at the Hofbrauhaus. The evening finishes with either dinner at Augustiner Keller, and certainly our first visit to Shakespeare's.

Sounds like a lot of planing for someone who doesn't want to overly plan. I'll cover other daily options later, but suffice to say, Saturday P.M. is our tent reservations, and Sunday will be our religious sojourn to Kloster Andechs.

Remember, Mr. Spock was almost right when he said "live long and prosper". He meant to say, "leben lang und trinkien Bier!"

Oktoberfest Training at the Boyd Bier Garden

A very useful post from the archives.....

 Thanks Barley Man.

Almost Time for Happy Birthday......

Can you believe it? In just two weeks, our beloved Oktoberfest Visits Blog will be 11 years old! Check out the very first blog post here...

After reading that post I have tears in my eye. It's amazing how our first experience has grown up. And everything in that first posting is still true today, except this link to another Blog at the time... http://www.popdex.com.

Keep those posts coming. While it is still only February, that first bier is not that far away.

Prost!

Just over 200 days, Are you getting pumped.

On a Hunt

Been looking on the BDG for the shirts to come back on sale to get one for my brothers but have had no luck.  Willing to pay top dollar for an XXL and a Med if any are available..  They could even already have marks on the back for keep track.  We already hit more than half already so it would not be out of place or a lie...
Thanks!

Oktoberfest 2016 Logo Revealed

What do you think?

The visit that started it all.

This was Chugger's first visit to the Fest. It was 6 years before the first Group Visit. That's me on the right, with other former NCR colleagues.

Standing with Chugger is Tom Baronner. Seated from left to right is Phil Bush, and a colleague from the UK who's name I cannot remember (David something I believe).

Always a classic

Courtesy of Barbus

Let's Welcome the Newbie.....

This will be my son's first trip to the Fest.  Please feel free to shower him with the good, the bad, and maybe even the ugly. But remember the n'not for export rule'.

His name is Gregory, and he needs a handle for the blog. I know most of you do not know him, but suggest something anyway.

Tent Reservations.....

Have been secured for Saturday, 24 September. We will be spending the afternoon at the Hacker-Festzelt.

All the important plans are made.....

We have flight reservations and Hotel rooms at the Hotel Alfa! 

We means my son and I. His first trip to The Fest. A true newbie. We need one every year. We all need to show him how the real world works.

Now the countdown begins.