Starkbierfest

 Everyone knows about Munich's Oktoberfest, but not a lot of people know about Starkbierfest, which runs during the time of lent. It started in the 1700s when monks started brewing this strong beer in order to survive the 40 days of lent. The beer packs a higher percentage of alcohol and more calories than other beer, so everyone leaves the festival satisfied at the end of the night. There are lots of different breweries that celebrate Starkbierfest, but the biggest festival (and the one we went to) was at Paulaner am Nockherberg. The atmosphere is about that of Oktoberfest (minus the hords of tourists) with traditional German folk songs, singing, and dancing on tables. I can't wait to go back this week!

Oktoberfest

I spent the Saturday, Sunday (ok, and Monday) at Oktoberfest which was such a crazy experience. I got there with a group of girls at 7am on Saturday to get in line at one of the beer tents (which don't open until 9) but there were about 500 other people waiting to get tables at the same tent. People were pushing and yelling and after standing in line (which was more like a herd of shoving people trying to get as close to the doors as possible) for 2 hours we got pushed so far from the tent that there was no way to get in. We were so dissapointed but luckily I had the chance to get a table on Sunday and Monday.

When else do you have an excuse to sing folk songs, drink masses of beer, and dance on tables before noon?