Oktoberfest 2024: Raise your glass! History, beer and what’s brewing this year?

Oktoberfest 2024 marks the 189th edition of this iconic festival. Since its inception nearly two centuries ago, it has grown from a local celebration in Munich into a global phenomenon. However, the first Oktoberfest had nothing to do with beer.

History of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest traces its origins to October 17, 1810, when the first celebration was held to mark the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The festivities took place in a meadow on the outskirts of Munich, which was named ‘Theresienwiese’ in honour of the bride.

A member of the Bavarian National Guard proposed celebrating the event with a grand horse race. The idea was embraced by King Max I Joseph of Bavaria, and the race took place on October 17, marking the beginning of what would become an enduring cultural celebration filled with joy, festivity, and unity.

Beer of Oktoberfest

Today, beer is the star attraction at Oktoberfest, but not just any beer cuts. Only beer from Munich-based breweries is permitted at the festival. Each year, these breweries introduce their freshly brewed Oktoberfest beers, building anticipation for the event. The six breweries that have the privilege of serving beer at Oktoberfest are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.

The festival showcases two primary beer styles: Märzen and Festbier. Märzen is a traditional amber lager known for its rich malty taste and crisp bitterness. Originally brewed in March and stored over the summer, it’s a hearty beer ideal for the festive atmosphere.

Festbier, a more contemporary option, is a lighter golden lager with a pronounced hop flavour and a smoother, refreshing profile. Over the years, Festbier has gained popularity at the festival. Together, these two styles highlight the evolution of Oktoberfest beer.

Global celebrations

What started as a local wedding celebration has grown into one of the world’s most renowned cultural events. Each year, millions of visitors from around the world flock to Munich to experience Oktoberfest. The opening keg-tap ceremony is highly anticipated, and breweries across the globe create their versions of Oktoberfest brews to celebrate alongside Munich.

Oktoberfest 2024: The Experience

This year’s Oktoberfest begins on September 21 and runs through October 6. Mayor Dieter Reiter will officially open the festival by tapping the first keg at noon in the Schottenhamel tent. Visitors can expect a festive atmosphere with 18 large beer tents spread across the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, offering a variety of entertainment, food, and, of course, plenty of beer.

In light of recent security concerns, especially following a deadly knife attack in Solingen in August 2023, Oktoberfest organisers have introduced additional safety measures. For the first time in its history, metal detectors will be used at entry points, though authorities stress that there are no specific threats to the festival.

Despite these precautions, Oktoberfest 2024 is expected to draw an impressive crowd, with up to 600,000 visitors per day and a total attendance of around 6 million. Guests should expect to pay between 13.60 and 15.30 euros ($15.12 to $17.01) for a 1-litre mug of beer, marking a slight increase in price from the previous year.

(With inputs from PTI)