German Beer Festivals - More Than Just Beer

As to be expected at German beer festivals there is a lot of beer, with more than 5 1/2 million litres of beer drank at Oktoberfest, the largest German beer festival in the world held in Munich every September - October.

 What may be unexpected if you are not familiar with German Beer Festivals, is that they are actually quite family friendly and I'm not just talking about allowing children in the beer tents until 8:00 pm (although some tents do).  German Beer Festivals, called Volkfests, or "Festivals of the People" really are for people of all ages. They did originally start off as Agricultural Festivals after all.   Most German Beer Festivals open with a family friendly parade and close with fireworks.  At the German beer festival in Stuttgart, (Cannstatter Volkfest) the fireworks are set to music – can’t wait to see that next year!

Fireworks closing the German Beer Festival in Stuttgart

There is also the carnival aspect of German beer festivals and I was impressed with the number and size of the rides at the German Beer Festival in Stuttgart.  There was something for everyone from small children to the more daring rides favoured by teens and some new ones I hadn't seen before, like the swing ride, but on steroids.  It was so tall; I got dizzy just looking up at it.  Now I just have to find someone to go with me.  J.P. made it very clear that it wouldn't be him.  Any takers?
 There's also the German carnival food, with not a hamburger in sight, but nowhere else in the world will you taste pretzels as yummy as these or as huge.  Come hungry!  There's also my personal favourite, the lebuchenherz - the gingerbread hearts with sweet sayings, i.e. "Ich liebe dich"  "I love you" in English.  I have yet to receive one of these romantic gestures - hint, hint J.P. 

Buy one of these traditional German treats (lebuchenherz) for your sweetie

Families and older children will also enjoy seeing many Germans and tourists alike dressed in the traditional lederhosen and dirndls.  I still get a kick out of, but perhaps none more than seeing American friends dressed in dirndls (they look fantastic by the way!).

Dirdnls and lederhosen are a common sight at German beer festivals

So while at first glance German beer festivals do not appear to be family friendly, they actually are very family friendly.  To maximize your enjoyment at a German beer festival, I would recommend checking the website of the German beer festival you are planning on attending in advance so you can plan accordingly.  You also have a year to find that perfect dirndl or lederhosen costume so no excuses -except from me of course :)

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/