https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/magazine/oktoberfest-news/2021/oktoberfest-poster-2021
Join us as we plan and document our travels to the land of pork products and the golden nectar; Oktoberfest. Enjoy as we experience a World Class Event full of fun, frivolity and Gemütlichkeit.
Sunday, February 07, 2021
Uh Oh, News from The Fatherland
Well gang, I emailed Anton about rooms and here is his response. I hope he is wrong, but maybe we need to discuss contingency plans.
=====================
Dear Keith,
nice to hear from you.
This year we´ll have to wait at least until April.
Nobody knows, what´s in September.
At the moment, we cannot imagine, that Octoberfest will take part.
In January I would have said at a rate of 95%.
Now the chances are better, but it could be the calmness before the storm; in any way!
I am not sure, how about the next spring. Would it continue again, we´re forced to think about the business at all.
Bavaria anyway has stricter rules, as the rest of Germany. Permittance to entrance the festival only with a special passport or only for nationals? That seems impossible to control and not human. If everything is going relatively normal soon, for sure, I will consider you request.
Lot´s of greetings
Anton
Saturday, February 06, 2021
History Site re-vamped and ready for incriminating photos.
Updated Rosters and other fun webby stuff. Looking forward to travelling again.
Here's a shot from 2018...
Thursday, February 04, 2021
Three visitors confirmed!
Happy to announce that we have three new visitors for our Immersion 2021 Tour!
We remember one visitor; "Beergärtner" (we know him from last year) and his wife "Beercap". They will join in Köln. And the third? I like to keep it a secret. Today I arranged hotel rooms in Munich.
Tuesday, February 02, 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Singing in German is ‘riskiest’ for spreading COVID-19, study finds
Trilling in the German language poses a greater risk than crooning in Japanese, according to this research into how singing can spread COVID-19.
Last year, scientists found the language you speak could play a role in the transmission of COVID-19, because of aspirated consonants. In English, for instance, the letter ‘P’ creates a puff of air, emitting respiratory droplets. https://tinyurl.com/y5uctpdz
Pretty scaring ....... I only know two English Oktoberfest songs. So let's hope they don't implement this protective measure. By the way, the ones I know: Sweet Caroline and Take me home.
Friday, January 29, 2021
Updated Documents
I have updated the Participants document and fixed some errors in the Itinerary document. See the links above.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Updated Proposed Itineray
After a week of consultation with the Oktoberfest Planning Committee during our winter meeting in Florida, we are proposing updates to the Bier Immersion 2021 itinerary. This update includes an additional day to explore and sample bier in Kulmbach, as well as extra time in München. Initial arrivals in Berlin on 14 September, with departure from München on 28 September.
Dates are still flexible, so please review the various documents and give us your thoughts. More/less time in various cities? Ignore a city?
It is time to start assigning responsibility for hotel procurement, so please opine as soon as you can. Two documents above detail our plans and current participants:
Also, please let me know if I screwed something up.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Bamberg Bier Gardens
Klosterbräu (formerly the Fürstbischöffliche Braunbierbrauerei) is Bamberg's oldest brewery, dating from 1533. The pub itself has the usual wide arch (formerly for access to the brewery at the rear) with a room on either side. The larger room to the right houses the bar counter. The interior is very simple but pleasant. You know the score by now: wooden floor, panelled walls, pine-topped tables, beamed ceiling. The same faces keep popping up in the many old photographs adorning the walls, so I would guess that they are of the former owners of the brewery (they appear to be pretty comfortably off). On the street outside there are a few tables for those who like their drinking al fresco.
The food is excellent and the staff very friendly. Recommended is the Schwärzla, a black beer unlike anything else brewed in Bamberg.
Spezial is an absolute must for the Rauchbier fans amongst you. With no fewer than four different varieties (five including the bock in the Winter) it must be the world leader in smoked beer. It's also very handily placed, directly opposite Fässla.
The building is an attractve, ancient, half-timbered job, with an old-fashioned wrought iron sign (sporting the equally tradtional brewer's symbol of a six-pointed star). You should be able to guess by now what to expect inside: dark wood panelling, long pine tables, animal skulls. In one corner, atop a small bar sit wooden barrels and, yes, these are real ones.
Saturday, January 02, 2021
A New Recurring Feature...
Thought I would occupy some of my time, and as a result, your time with this new feature of the Blog. Occasionally I will highlight some bier halls/bier gardens in the cities we hope to visit this year. This is just for educational purposes, your mileage may vary, and we may not even visit them. Please give your thoughts, and maybe other alternatives in that city that you may be aware of.
Oh and by they way.... Happy New Year, or Frohes Neues Yahr for the locals.
Let's get started with Köln:
Cozy and stylishly decorated, this is where locals have been coming for beer since the 19th century. Today it belongs to Päffgen brewery and serves authentic German dishes.
Part of the same Päffgen brewery, Bierhaus am Rhein has the same menu and offers views of the Rhine and park at Frankenwerft.
If you’re more interested in music and beer than in food, check out $$ Papa Joe’s Klimperkasten, a dark pub packed with memorabilia and live jazz daily (Gaffel on tap, live piano jazz Sun-Thu).
Sunday, December 13, 2020
A Writ from God Version II
I recently emailed our bier drinking idol Larry Hawthorne of The Beer Drinker's Guide to Munich fame. He did return my email, and I feel honored once again to be speaking with the esteemed one. While his response was very long, I include some of it below, edited for brevity (I know, it is still very long). This does give some insight into what could lie ahead of us if we perfect our bier consumption activities.
Hey, Chugger,
I've been remiss with my correspondence. I apologize for not getting back to you. Still around and generally traveling a lot. Not much to Munich, of course, in the past year or most of 2019 for that matter. I was getting serious about an 8th edition of the BDG2M, but I let it slip another year and then along came Covid. ...
If things open up again next year I'll get moving on an update. This time there will be a Kindle edition and a limited print run. ... But, I like to do it, so there is still an eighth edition in me somewhere. I've been retired from my day job for some 16 years now and have dabbled in different things. ...
We are still very active with the adult LEGO community (damn, that almost sounds pornographic) and regularly attend LEGO builders and designers conventions in Australia (January) and Chicago (June) each year. ... we travel around the US half the time and the rest is a lot of travel in Europe (Prague is our landing spot as Eliska is Czech and we have an apartment there). ...
...
It would be great to meet up with you guys sometime. Cannot believe how long it's been and you've walked in my footsteps and occasionally I've walked in yours (tried to leave a copy for your next visit with the folks running Shakespears there in Munich around the corner from the Hauptbahnhof). I think Barleyman and Paulaner Girl live in the San Diego area? We're often in Hemet, high desert area of Inland Empire area there in SoCal. We've got a place there. Might try to meet them if they're available sometime over at Stone in Escondido and have a few bitter ales if they're interested. ROADTRIP ! ! !
As it is, we're in Hawaii and have been here since early February. We were coming through here from our Australia trip in January to stay for a month or two, as we usually do. But the Covid got worse and we decided to stay right here and ride it out. ... We're domiciled in Henderson, NV (Las Vegas) as you probably know. Essentially it was for tax reasons but it's really on wheels there. ... we're looking elsewhere to relocate, maybe Nashville area in Tennessee. I love bluegrass and play banjo, fiddle and guitar, so in my old age I'm really getting into jamming the music.
Meanwhile, all the best to you guys. I always thought you and your gang were hilarious in the things you do and the way you approach the wonderful art of drinking beer. Lots of it. I mean that IS what it's all about, as you were all able to break the code first. I think it might have been around the third edition that you guys became early adopters of The BDG2M. You left me a positive review on Amazon once that more or less said, "he gets it". You were alluding to the fact that it was all about the immersion in the culture and the beer and that there was nothing to be self-conscious about, just because it was a hell of a lot of fun. There was a time when even the title of the book, "The Beer Drinker's Guide" felt risky. I mean, not exactly the Great American Novel, that one. But it WAS the perfect title, and you guys confirmed it for me. That really made a difference to me, believe it or not. Because, you know, I actually was thinking I do get it but I need someone else to agree with the conclusion. And you guys did, even to the point of spinning off your own tour businesses for a while.
All the best, Keith (Chugger) and regards to the whole
gang. I look forward to us meeting sometime and lifting a few Maß.
Prosit!
Larry
Speaking of Train Passes
With all of our expected travel for the Bier Immersion, German Rail passes are in order. With the proposed itinerary, we have 6 different days of travel that will require a train. Deutsche Bahn offers passes for 5 or 7 days within a month, so the 7 day pass would seem appropriate. It would then give us an extra day trip while in München.
There are 2 flavors of the rail pass; Single and Flexi. The Flexi allows two Oktoberfestians to travel on the same pass. While it costs more for the pass, it is not twice the price, so $$ are saved:
1 Single Rail Pass 256 €
1 Twin Pass 388 €
So, two Oktoberfestians with a Single Pass each would pay a total of 512 €, but those same two Oktoberfestians with a Twin Pass would only pay 388 €. 124 € for bier!
Unfortunately these passes are only for non-EU Oktoberfestians, sorry Barbus.
More Bier Immersion Stuff
Ok, Ok, Ok......
Being the AOC (Anal Oktoberfestian [Chugger]) that I am, I am trying to end this year with everyone thinking about and planning for our Bier Excursion in 2021; Covid and travel restrictions permitting. We have had some discussions in previous threads, but in all honestly, not much enthusiasm; Flying Dan and BarleyMan excepted. This is my last attempt to generate some ongoing enthusiasm. What else is there to do when most of us have some form of limited or total shutdown? Unlike our normal trips, this will require some planning and coordination, and I'm sensing an "attitude" from some (no fingers being pointed). The alternative is Flying Dan and I (with a rendezvous with BarleyMan) are on our way and we may or may not see you.
So, I have created a planning document that will be kept up-to-date with our decisions. This will make it easier than trying to keep up with multiple posts. We should still use the various posts for discussion and other recommendations.
You can use the link above in the header, or access the document from here.
Tuesday, December 08, 2020
Updated Proposed Itinerary
I have made a couple changes to the proposed itinerary just to try and spur some activity as we approach the end of the year.
Tuesday, December 01, 2020
Monday, November 30, 2020
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Some Information About Kulmbach...
Learn about the new venue as proposed by Flying Dan:
Kulmbacher Brauerei (possibly the most important)
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
1st Proposed Daily Itinerary
Here is the first draft of a daily itinerary for next year's trip. Questions to be discussed:
- Are these the right cities?
- Enough/too much time in each?
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Just for fun I picked a 11 day excursion to see what the airfare looked like end of March first of April. I know they can't go out much further than that. I found a TAP Portugal flight from ORD to LIS (1.5 hour layover) to TXL for $204.00. It was a bout a 13 hour flight. The return out of MUC to LIS (5 hour layover) to ORD was $277.00. It is a 17 hour flight! Includes no seat selection but does allow for one carry on and a personal item. Total of $481.00 I will say Delta and American and their partners are no way close to these numbers. What the heck, they look like jets (Well kinda they are Airbus) and the seating looks the same. I always sit in the back as I would be the last to hit the water.
Monday, September 07, 2020
Bier Immersion 2021 - Part 1
Ok, the first draft of next year's Bier Immersian 2021 trip has come a little quicker than I thought. If you are reading this before the previous post, please read that one first to set the stage.
I am suggesting the following bier immersion for our trip. This includes five different locations and bier styles prior to the culmination of the trip in München. We will start in the north and work our way south, visiting these cities and sampling their bier (remember, this is just a suggested itinerary. add value if you can):
Berlin: Berliner Weiße
Berliner Weiße is a light and sour wheat beer, which is sweetened by a shot of himbeer (raspberry) or waldmeister (woodruff-flavored) syrup giving it a candy-colored red or green color.
Leipzig: Gose
Dusseldorf: Altbier
A German style brown ale, “Alt” means old, and the name refers to the pre-lager brewing method of using warm top-fermenting yeast like British pale ales.
Cologne: Kölsch
Kölsch, meaning "of Cologne", locals are proud of their beer which is brewed exclusively in the Cologne region.
Bamberg: Rauchbier
The secret of this beer’s mild smoked flavor is the century-old process of drying malt over an open fire made from beech wood logs.
München: Helles, Weisbier, Dopplebock
Let the discussion begin.............
Saturday, September 05, 2020
Oktoberfest 2021
What? Oktoberfest 2021? Even though this year's 'Fest has been cancelled, it would not have even started yet. Are you guys crazy?
Well, yes, we are probably crazy. But nonetheless, it is never too early to start planning an Oktoberfest trip. We have already begun informal discussions, and next year's trip is going to be a bit different.
We are discussing a trip that celebrates the different bier of Germany, not just München. We expect to start our sojourn somewhere in northern Germany, and work our way south sampling the different biers in different regions. This "pre-trip", if you will, will culminate with a traditional visit to Oktoberfest in München. Details of the bier immersion trip will start flowing shortly. Items to be discussed include, where do we go, how long are we there, how do we get from Point-A to Point-B, and so on. Current thoughts are 4-5 different cities, and 7-10 days of bier immersion.
Please stayed tuned in the next few days for the first draft of Bier Immersion 2021. Your input is extremely important. Where do we want to go? How long do we want to stay? Is it only bier focused or should we also immerse ourselves in culture? So much to decide. Maybe I should go have a cold one to get started.
If you are so inclined, you can also provide your input to the first draft prior to publication. Let me know your thoughts.
Prost !
Friday, August 07, 2020
Friday, July 24, 2020
British Airway Cancelled my London/Munich/London
Painless, the US carriers could take a lesson on customer service from those folks at BA!
Just waiting for American to cancel my flight to London and the fight not to get a voucher!!
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Western Swing?
I just looked at an email form SWAirlines on a big fare sale. Flights out of CVG to Albuquerque for example is around $300 round trip . Bags fly free!!
OUT of MDW (Chicago) $238 dollars to Albuquerque round trip in September
Just some data points if we do a western swing trip. Of course David it would be an eastern swing, but he has always leaned the wrong way! Ha Ha
Monday, July 13, 2020
Wednesday, July 08, 2020
Current betting odds on the trip????
I'd say we are at 60% chance of going...
Wednesday, July 01, 2020
Saturday, June 13, 2020
German Travel Ban Extended
German Travel Ban Extended
It's now out to August 31st. Cutting it close. Of course, if Americans behave, follow prudent guidelines, we don't spread the virus, and our infection/mortality rate goes down, then we are in good shape!
Thursday, May 21, 2020
This is the first day for the opening of bars and restaurants in Ohio. By the way the bier tasted great! Just to let the team know, Keith was complaining about being retired and John was happy that the COVID-19 cure might be nicotine based. That is what I learned tonight.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Argh.. Delta cancels then changes flights
Oh well, got everything worked out and even going the day earlier as we all discussed. Probably all for naught though, will we actually go?
Prost.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Will Oktoberfest 2021 be extended by a week?
https://www.oktoberfesttours.travel/2020/05/14/will-oktoberfest-2021-be-extended/
Saturday, May 09, 2020
Tasting Courtesy of Flying Dan
Socially distanced of course. Well, kinda, Flying Dan and Granddaughter Jenna were doing alot of kissing.
New outfit for Munich
https://youtu.be/P4Se5xN6gMw
Hey Guys, I am ready for Munich. Hope by that time I can go to the hairdresser. Have fun and stay OK!
Wednesday, May 06, 2020
Some Monastery Humor
On our last trip to Kloster Andechs, I was walking past the kitchen and saw a monk frying chips. I casually asked him if he was The Friar 😀
He responded, "No sir, I am The Chip Monk." 👏👏
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
It is official :-(
We do live in trying times. We have been attending for over 25 years and like everything else, never thought this could happen. As we have all opined (except Einfahrt who has been quiet), we will continue to monitor the situation and still plan to visit München if the virus and travel industry permit. I will contact Anton early May to negotiate our rooms and extend for sittinginacornfield and Barley Man (I'll probably go another day early also).
Prost! Stay safe, and hope to raise a few with you during our virtual session this Friday.
😩 😩 😩 😩 😩 😩 😩 😩 😩
Monday, April 20, 2020
Saw this come in on my feed.... could it be true???
Oktoberfest apparently canceled
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Let's play "What if..."
In this scenario, what should our band of Oktoberfestians do? I believe we have two alternatives; 1) cancel our plans when the Fest is cancelled or 2) wait until the last minute to see if it is safe to travel and then go to Munchen even if no Oktoberfest. Still take day trips, still visit the Hofbrauhaus, Viktualienmarkt and Augustiner Keller.
Provide your thoughts. Something to discuss durring our next virtual meeting, if Barley Man ever gets it scheduled :-)
Prost.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Hot off the Press
“When the Schengen Borders open up in September, if they do, Schengen Visa applicants will need to submit a Coronavirus test that has resulted negative, taken within the last two weeks prior to the visa application. The traveller may be required to take a new test before travelling to the Schengen area, as to make sure that he/she has not been infected in the meantime,” the source said."
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Monday, April 13, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
Got booked.
Chugger, I will need a room on Wednesday. Can you ask Anton?
Thursday, April 09, 2020
Jump start “open for business”
https://apple.news/
Tuesday, April 07, 2020
Arriving on Wednesday?
Monday, April 06, 2020
Wednesday, April 01, 2020
Something to consider....
https://wiesnkini.de/en/blog/will-the-oktoberfest-2020-be-cancelled-due-to-the-coronavirus/
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Monday, March 09, 2020
Another verbal commitment for Oktoberfest
Looks like a great trip for this year.
We have confirmation
Wednesday, March 04, 2020
"We are putting the band back together"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we7UfubNeqM
Tuesday, March 03, 2020
Paging the Grand Poobah
Chugger is Confirmed!
I will update the room for Barley Man and I, but still need guidance on whether to change it for Flying Dan (new single room) and Sittinginacornfield gets the double with duncancw12.
Booked and Ready!!
Monday, March 02, 2020
Flying Dan does it!
Minister of housing, I am going to go out on my own for hotels in Munich my extra days but depending on your arrival I might join you guys at Alpha
Just got word from sitting in a corn field that he might bring another New-bee. He will be sending you a note. I am fine with my own room at Alpha. Sitting in a corn field will room with his friend.
Grand total of 700 dollars with my seat selections.
Sunday, March 01, 2020
Friday, February 28, 2020
Oktoberfest Housing
Arriving Friday 25 September
Departing Tuesday 29 September
(1) single room for Barbus; €175 per night
(1) double room for Chugger & Barley Man; €270 per night
(1) double room for Flying Dan & sittinginacornfield; €270 per night
The terms include fully cancelable until 15 March, 50% payment on 19 March and final payment on 15 June. The Minister will make the necessary disbursements and will then levy taxes accordingly.
Finally, a tent reservation has been arranged for Saturday, 26 September for the Hacker balcony from 13:00 to 17:15. Your share will be levied upon arrival in München.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Ok... Thinking About Housing Requirements
Barley Man
Chugger
Flying Dan
Barbus
Schlumberger Lady
sittinginacornfield
Is anyone missing? A rhetorical question for sure. A little sparse, but a manageable troupe if it comes to fruition. Regarding housing, I will assume that Barbus and Schlumberger Lady will once again venture out on their own while the remaining Oktoberfestians setup shop at the Hotel Alfa. So, currently 4 potential revelers under the management of the Minister of Housing (MofH).
I have not contacted Herr Anton, and will not until we have a more reliable count. For budget purposes we can expect similar pricing to the 2019 trip; 150 euro for single/ 250 euro for a double. Once commitments are made we will agree upon who will share doubles, who requires a single, is a triple possible.
The MofH will also undertake the identification of rooms in Berlin should that pre-trip become a realization.
I await the proclamation of the Grand Poobah.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
A Point of Order for the Grand Poobah
I await your decision.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Official Duties begin.....
1st Weekend: Sep 19th (Saturday)
2nd Weekend: Sep 26th
3rd Weekend: Okt 3rd
Last Night is Sunday Okt 4th.
My Planus eruptus is to be there from Thursday to Tuesday (Standard run). But am really open about which weekend. The 3rd weekend may be fun. Pre-trip anywhere?
Maybe a Saturday to Saturday trip?
One of our party is anxious to buy tickets, and Chugger needs to contact Anton. What say you all??
Thursday, February 13, 2020
The Grand Poobah
My Cabinet:
Secretary of Forestry (Wood), I appoint FlyingDan
Secretary of Housing: Chugger
Ambassadors to the EU: Barbus & Schlumberger Lady
Secretary of the EPA (Noxious fumes division): Einfahrt
Secretary of Wine: Roalef
First Lady: Paulaner Girl
Other appointments to follow, as warranted.






































