Oktoberfest: Where Beer, Bratwurst, and Bavarian Tradition Brew Together

Every autumn, the city of Munich erupts in celebration. Streets echo with polka music, steins clink in unison, and the aroma of roasting meats and freshly baked pretzels fills the air. This is Oktoberfest—the world’s largest beer festival and folk celebration. But behind the frothy mugs and festive attire lies a deep-rooted history that perfectly aligns with the mission of Food Itihaas: to uncover how food and drink tell the stories of people, culture, and time.

A Royal Toast to Tradition: The Origins of Oktoberfest

The first Oktoberfest wasn't a beer-soaked gathering, but a royal wedding. On October 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. To honor the union, the citizens of Munich were invited to a grand public celebration in the fields just outside the city gates. Horse races, music, and merriment marked the occasion.

The event was such a hit that it returned the following year—and then again. Over the decades, horse racing faded out, and new traditions like beer tents, parades, and hearty Bavarian foods took center stage.

A Feast of Bavarian Identity

At the heart of Oktoberfest is not just beer, but Bavarian culinary heritage. Food becomes the medium through which identity is celebrated, preserved, and performed.

Some iconic dishes include:

• Hendl (roast chicken): Crispy, juicy, and often served whole—perfect with a beer.

• Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle): A meaty, slow-roasted delicacy, rich in flavor and tradition.

• Weißwurst: A pale, mild sausage eaten in the morning with sweet mustard and pretzels.

• Brezn (pretzels): Large, salty, soft—ideal for soaking up the alcohol and the culture.

• Sauerkraut and kartoffelsalat (potato salad): Fermented and filling, reflecting Germany's preserved food traditions.

Beer, of course, is the star of the show. Brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot (Germany’s beer purity law of 1516), only six traditional Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at Oktoberfest. These brews are crafted specifically for the festival—stronger than usual, with a fuller body and malty richness.

More Than Just a Beer Festival

Oktoberfest is not just about consumption—it’s about community, continuity, and cultural pride. Locals dress in Lederhosen and Dirndls, traditional Bavarian attire. Families attend together, music fills massive beer halls, and age-old customs like tapping the first keg ("O’zapft is!") mark the official opening of the festival.

In this environment, food and drink are not mere indulgences—they’re vehicles of storytelling. Each dish, each sip, carries centuries of heritage and reflects the rhythms of rural Bavarian life.

Oktoberfest Around the World

What began in Munich has inspired hundreds of Oktoberfest celebrations across the globe—from Cincinnati to Tokyo to Bangalore. Yet, while these global versions carry the spirit of the original, they often blend local flavors, creating a new kind of culinary fusion.

This global spread tells another Food Itihaas story: how culinary traditions travel, adapt, and connect people across continents. Oktoberfest reminds us that food is both deeply local and infinitely shareable.

Did You Know?

• The festival now begins in September to take advantage of better weather, though it keeps its original name.

• Over 7 million liters of beer are consumed each year at the Munich event.

• Oktoberfest was canceled more than 25 times in its history—most recently in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why Oktoberfest Matters to Food Itihaas

At Food Itihaas, we explore how food serves as a living memory of our past. Oktoberfest is a prime example of this—where a royal wedding gave birth to a yearly tradition that preserves Bavarian cuisine and culture in the most delicious way possible. It’s proof that behind every meal is a moment, a movement, and a memory—waiting to be savored.