Oktoberfest: A History of the World’s Largest Beer Festival

In lite of Bear Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest seasonal ale, a history of Oktoberfest seems prudent. Most would imagine that Oktoberfest begins in October; however, this is not the case. Traditionally Oktoberfest begins in the third week of September, and ends in the first Sunday of October. At the Bear Brewing Company, we wish Oktoberfest lasted all year. For this reason, our Oktoberfest brew will be available until Thanksgiving. It is a great beer for all of the autumn season.

As with many celebrations of the day, Oktoberfest began as a celebration of a royal wedding. Oktoberfest originates in Munich.  On October 12, 1810 Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The fields at the gate of Munich were hence renamed Theresienwiese (meaning Therese’s Fields).

As the years passed the celebrations continued at this location. Through the years horse races, carnival attractions, and of course, beer halls were the primary attractions. Oktoberfest celebrations 180 years of tradition, the only years Oktoberfest was cancelled were in times of war or epidemic. Munich’s Oktoberfest is now the world’s largest, and it celebrates two hundred years of honored beer-drinking tradition. As autumn stretches on into another long winter our Oktoberfest will keep you warm, and celebrates two centuries of the best brewers in the world.