Oktoberfest: Bavarian's Gift to the World

Oktoberfest is the gift of Bavarian people of Germany to all beer drinkers the world over. Many key cities hold its similar events starting at the third week of September until the first week of October or about 17 to 18 days

German people are known to be heavy beer drinkers. They brewed the best beers in the world and we can forget the negative impression about them during the time of dictator-leader Adolf Hitler and his Nazism.

So every country who shared the same likings on beer drinking incorporate free concerts, eat-all-you can food and a sort of reunion to old friends, families and getting new acquaintances.

: This is the official venue of Oktoberfest where you will witness more than 6 million people converging to the place to celebrate with Bavarians and other people from USA, Canada, neighboring European countries, Africa, Central and South America and Far East Asia (including Australia and New Zealand).

With this statistics happening annually, you can imagine how much beer are being sold and drink by the enthusiasts and food (ranging from chicken, sausages, fish and local delicacies) being eaten while enjoying the sounds of foreign and local bands .

By the Book: Who's the center of the celebration. Is it God or godlike character. Let's find out with this very important  nugget in  Bavarian history.

The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 12, 1810. For the public commemoration of their marriage that took place five days before, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (namesake of the Theresienwiese festival grounds) organized a great horse race. The event was so successful that it was decided to renew it in 1811.

This year, commemorating the 200th years of the beer festival, it started on September 18th and ends on October 4th.

And as expected, beers literally overflowed (or still spilling) over the main thoroughfares of Munich, Bavaria.

Tent cities are literally built at the festival grounds...police authority being alert 24/7 to make the celebration more peaceful than being so loudly rowdy.

To all beer drinkers around the world...the chant will be: C-H-E-E-R-S!!! This is to drive all your problems away...for the moment.

Alcoholic beverages,  primarily “beer”, from many different countries and manufacturers are the highlights of Oktoberfest. Sampling of different types and flavours of beer as well as enjoying music and other events are the come-ons of the 17 to 18 days of nightly celebration.

Oktoberfest  in the Philippines kicked off on September 10th at  SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City (reclaimed area in Manila Bay) opening its  concert grounds to  many local bands followed by other parts of the Philippines on the following dates :-

• Sept 11th Paseo De Sta. Rosa Laguna
• Sept 17th SM Davao.
• Sept 18th Robinsons Starmills Pampanga.
• Sept 24th Parkmall Mandaue Cebu.

Here in Naga, beer plazas and similar events were sponsored by leading breweries,  like the San Miguel Beer and Beer na Beer plus the free concerts of popular rock bands. It coincided with the Penafrancia fiesta on September 18th.