Questions and questions as Oktoberfest opens  tomorrow in Germany

It’s not just newcomers who have Oktoberfest questions: How much does a beer cost? Is it allowed to smoke pot? How do you get a table? And is it safe?

 

By Sabine Dobel, dpa I Friday, September 20, 2024

 

MUNICH –  The Munich Oktoberfest opens on Saturday, with eager fans sprinting towards the beer tents for their first litres at what is considered the largest folk festival in the world.

But this year’s party comes shortly after a deadly knife attack at a festival in the western city of Solingen, so security will be tight.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said there are no specific threats against 189th edition of the iconic two-week celebration that attracted more than 7 million people last year. Still, authorities say they are on high alert.

There is a sophisticated security concept for the Wiesn, as the venue is known: checks at the entrances, a ban on large bags, knives and glass bottles, a high police presence, retractable traffic barriers and concrete flower tubs to protect against car attacks.

For the first time, around 40 hand-held metal detectors will be used at random during checks, festival director Clemens Baumgärtner said. Around 600 police officers are to be on duty. In addition, there will be several thousand stewards, around 1,200 to 1,500 of whom are being deployed by the city alone

“We have done everything we can,” said Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter, who will open the festival.

 

Need to chill? Sorry no weed

Bavaria has banned smoking weed at folk festivals and in beer gardens by state law. Federal cannabis law prohibits smoking weed in the immediate vicinity of minors, so that would include folk festivals, but some had complained about a regulatory gap. Those behind the Oktoberfest organization welcomed the no-weed policy, saying it gives them clarity and saves them from having to deal with disputes over guests smoking weed.

More grumbling might be coming over the price of beer. This year there has been a small outcry when the price of a litre hit €15 ($16.75) – but remember it’s for a litre of the stuff. Prices at various venues range between €13.6 and €15.3.

However you get a bit more for your money. Wiesen beer is brewed according to secret recipes: the alcohol content is around 6%.

So far, the price has not deterred guests: according to Munich city statistics, over 7.4 million litres of beer were consumed last year. But those opting for some actual hydration don’t have to pay – since last year, drinking water has been available free of charge at fountains on the grounds. Bottled water in the tent costs an average of over €10 per litre.

 

And what about the food prices?

Surprise, surprise. Prices are higher. One reason is the higher value added taxes (VAT) on food in restaurants, which was raised again from 7% to 19% in January. It had been lowered previously due to the coronavirus.

“We have to assume an increase of 15%, with 12% being due to the adjustment of VAT to the pre-coronavirus level and 3% to general cost increases,” says co-host and spokesperson Christian Schottenhamel. He points the finger at the federal government, saying that it broke its promise to stick with a 7% VAT on food.

 How do you get a seat in the beer tent?

Reserved seats are mainly gone, but those who are fast on their feet can rush to their tent of choice on Saturday morning. Last minute deciders can try the exchange market, where those who don’t want their reservations can sell their seats. There’s also the grey market, but consumer protection agencies advise against that.

 

And oh what to wear?

Dirndls and lederhosen are the ultimate Oktoberfest uniform.

Axel Munz, managing director of the traditional costume chain Angermaier, says this year’s trendy colours for dirndls include “fashionable purple, light mint and sage, regal blue, deep red, pine green and elegant black.” For men he sees short, handcrafted leather trousers in deer and wild goat “with elaborate embroidery, often in a vintage look.”

And for those who can’t make it to Munich, the Wiesn is now available in digital form. The virtual reality game “Oktoberfest – The Official Game” from the Munich studio K5 Factory will be launched at the start of the festival, where players can visit the festival as avatars with virtual reality glasses.

Cannabis use optional.