MUNICH — We arrived here in the middle of this period when German nationals observe their traditional Oktoberfest garbed in their national dresses. German men and women wear Oktoberfest costumes to celebrate this annual event in a beer drinking spree.
German men wear their leather lederhosen shorts, leather belts, and button-down shirts and hats. For women, they wear the basic “dirndl” with a close-fitting bodice and full skirt gathered at the waist, usually about knee-length. The material is colorful and can be strikingly patterned, often with bold details like braiding and piping. The bodice is worn over a frilly peasant blouse, usually white, and the skirt is covered in turn by a colorful apron.
Oktoberfest always finishes on the first Sunday of October. For this year, it fell on Oct. 3 which happens to be a German national holiday called Tag der deutschen Einheit or Day of German Unity. So it was a grand celebration of the German people imbibing beer all day to mark this occasion.
No, I’m not here for the Oktoberfest. I never liked the taste of beer. Actually, the city of Munich (or it’s called ‘Munchen’ here) is the first stopover of our trip to Augsburg where the Renewable Energy Conference Expo, or Renexpo, is taking place next week.
But what fascinated me to write about it was after finding a tour group of Filipinos who flew all the way here to actually take part in the Oktoberfest.
In the last population survey in July 2007, Munich had 1.34 million inhabitants; with 340,000 immigrants. The number of Filipinos living and working in the entire Germany is reportedly growing. In fact, we met two Filipinas who have been living in Munich for the past 30 years with German families now with them.
Though called “Oktoberfest,” this 18th Century event here in Munich traditionally starts in the third weekend of September and runs for two weeks and ending on the first Sunday of October. It coincides with the last week of summer here that starts in May.
It is now the season of fall that ushers in the winter period. It frequently rains here now as temperature is slowly dropping to single digit. So it’s a good reason for German folks to drink beer as they prepare for the cold, winter season during these days of celebrating Oktoberfest.
Anyway, let me share with you a little background about the history of Oktoberfest from the tourism brochure given out here in our hotel. It began with the Royal Wedding on Oct.12, 1810 of Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I. He married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. Horse races in the presence of the royal family marked by the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for the whole of Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse races in subsequent years gave rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest.
In 1811, an added feature to the horse races was the first Agricultural Show designed to boost Bavarian agriculture. The horse races, which were the oldest, and at one time — the most popular event of the festival are no longer held today.
In 1818, the first carousel and two swings were set up to add entertainment for the families during Oktoberfest. Visitors were able to quench their thirst at small beer stands which grew rapidly in number. In 1896, the beer stands were replaced by the first beer tents and halls set up by the enterprising landlords with the backing of the breweries.
Today, the Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest festival in the world, with an international flavor characteristic of the 20th century. At the foot of the Bavarian Statue adjacent to the huge Oktoberfest grounds, there are also carousels, roller coasters, and other fair attractions. The festivities are accompanied by a program of events, including the Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlord and Breweries, the costume and Riflemen’s Procession, and a concert involving all brass bands in Germany.
Thus, Munich became famous for its breweries and the Weissbier (or Weizenbier, wheat beer) as a specialty from Bavaria. I did a quick look at wikipedia and picked up some more details about the beer industry in Germany, thanks to Oktoberfest,
Helles, with its translucent gold color, is the most popular Munich beer today, although it’s not old (only introduced in 1895). Helles and Pils have almost ousted the Munich Dark Beer (Dunkles), which gets its dark color from burnt malt, the most popular beer in Munich during the 19th century.
Starkbier is the strongest Munich beer, containing six to nine percent alcohol. It is dark amber and has a heavy malty taste. It is available and popular during the Lenten Starkbierzeit (strong beer season), which begins on, or before St. Joseph’s Day (March 19). There are around 20 major beer gardens around the city of Munich, with four of the most famous and popular ones located in the Englischer Garten and the largest one in the Hirschgarten.
We have our own San Miguel beer in the Philippines. The Pale Pilsen is the more popular beer product of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) which is headed by businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco. The SMC top honcho is the maternal uncle of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III who, by the way, is also especially observing this month of October — his first 100 days in office on Friday.
P-Noy has asked his critics “to look at the glass as half-full and not half-empty.” He was not talking, of course, over a bottle of beer in his hand. But he appeals for a better perspective to see how the Philippines has been moving for the better so far, under his administration.
Beer sales have become sort of a crude barometer for our country’s per capita income status. The more beer sold is said to reflect the higher the disposable income of Filipinos.
Perhaps, we can ask his uncle Danding to find out if SMC has sold more beer these past 100 days. Let them roll out the barrels!