Oktoberfest 2013

Oktoberfest is a sixteen day festival held annually in in Munich Germany during late September and running to early October.  In 2013, this is Saturday 21^st September – Sunday 6^th October 2013. 
 
An important part of Bavarian culture, the festival has been held since 1810 when it started as a party to celebrate Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Theresa of Saxony (Sachsen-Hildburghausen). It proved so popular with the locals that they held it again a year later and it has been held every year since, bar a handful of cancellations. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival will go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1.  It is one of the most famous events in Germany and other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modelled after the Munich event.
 
 
 
Only beer conforming to the Reinheitsgebot, sometimes called the German Beer Purity Law, at a minimum of 6% may be served at Oktoberfest. The beer must also be brewed within the city limits of Munich. The beers supplied at the event are those that have been served there since 1818 and are supplied by 6 breweries, known as the Big Six: Spaten, Lowenbrau, Augustiner, Hofbrau, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr.

Can’t visit the big event? We have individual bottles and cases available to purchase on the website now. They can be found by clicking the relevant link:  Spaten, Lowenbrau, Augustiner, Hofbrau, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Our Oktoberfest Mixed Cases will also be available to purchase through the website by the end of the week.