German Beer Festivals

The beer tents are THE place to be at German beer festivals!      

It's that time of year again for German Beer Festivals!  You have undoubtedly heard of Oktoberfest, held in Munich every September and October as it is the largest Volkfest (Festival for the People) in the World, but you may not have heard of Cannstatter Volkfest, a German beer festival in Stuttgart, the second largest in Germany after Oktoberfest. I am especially fond of the Cannstatter Volkfest,(the German beer festival in Stuttgart, which runs Sept 24 - Oct 10, this year, and I bought my ticket in July, yes that's right, July) in part because while it is still a lot of fun and attracts 3 million people, it is not quite as crazy as Oktoberfest, which attracts 6-7 million people each year.  Several million too many for my liking, not to mention the horrendous traffic jams that come with 6-7 million people all heading to the same place and the over 150%+ increase in hotel prices. 

You will see lots of hederhosen and dirndls at German beer festivals!

Regardless of which German beer festivals you attend, you will find they all have common elements - carnival rides, beer tents, beer and traditional German fair food - who can resist the roast chickens, pork knuckles, sausages, pretzels and cheese spatzle?  OK, maybe I can pass on the pork knuckles.  Did I mention beer?   The beer does not come cheap mind you.  At German beer festivals you can except to pay over €8 for a beer, but that will get you 1 liter of beer!  And my personal favorite of all German beer festivals?  The lederhosen and dirndls which locals will actually wear to work during the time of the German beer festivals in place of their business suits!  Prost! , as they say in German. 

Traditional German food served at German beer festivals.

 More information on German Beer Festivals:
Cannstatter Volkfest
 Oktoberfest 

As to be expected, there is a LOT of beer at German beer festivals

 See also:  German Beer Festival in Stuttgart

German Beer Festivals Photo Credits: 
 German Beer Festivals tent photo courtesy of:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/trentstrohm/244556351/sizes/z/in/photostream/
German Beer Festivals girl carrying beer and food photos courtesy of:  http://www.emagzin.com/featured/munich-oktoberfest-2010/
German Beer Festivals lederhosen and dirndl photo courtesy of: http://melissaes.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/dirndls-and-lederhosen/