How to Have Oktoberfest At Home

Oktoberfest Beers

It would be pretty silly if we didn't start this list with the beer. While a true Oktoberfest beer (or festbier) can only be called as such if it's made at one of six breweries within Munich's city limits, many of them are widely available outside of the tents. Paulaner, Lowenbrau, Hacker-Pschorr, Spaten, and Hofbrau and Augustiner are easy to get your hands on. Festbiers are typically medium-bodied and have a smooth, slightly sweet taste. They are also relatively low in bitterness, with a hoppy finish that balances out the sweetness.

Lowenbrau Oktoberfest pours a clear golden yellow, with a tall white head, it's well carbonated and has a bready flavour which marries really well with the sweet maltiness and herby flavours from the classic German hops.

Spaten Oktoberfest pours a deep golden colour with a really fluffy head. You will pick up grassy, fresh hop flavours alongside a caramel sweetness and fresh white bread aroma.

By the Maß

A Maß is a unit of measurement in Bavaria, roughly about a litre of beer. For the true Oktoberfest beer experience, we suggest grabbing some Maß glasses, or steins as they're known outside of Bavaria, to serve your beer in. We can't be held responsible for your sore wrist the next day.

We've just released our PerfectDraft Stein, which gives you a traditional litre measure, with a swanky PerfectDraft logo to show off exactly how you're pouring you perfect Oktoberfest beers!

Oktoberfest Food

If you're looking for the "gotta-haves", we suggest making sure your menu includes rotisserie chicken, brez'n (huge, doughy pretzels), red cabbage or sauerkraut, potatoes and, of course, bratwurst mit brötchen. A currywurst is a great option for a snack too--just sprinkle some of your favourite curry powder over ketchup and smother your bratwurst with it.

To make it a bit easier - Check out our two easy recipes for pretzels and Bavarian Roast Chicken.

Oktoberfest Outfit

We all know you can't even begin to pretend that you're having an Oktoberfest party if you're not wearing the right outfit. Men have it relatively easy--find some lederhosen and a trachten shirt and get ready to party (socks and a hat can complete the outfit). Women, on the other hand, have some choices to make: if wearing a dirndl, the more authentic styles have longer skirts--below the knees--called a "midi". Tourists and younger ladies tend to wear a "mini". The dirndlblusen (white blouse under the dirndl) can come in varying levels of, ahem, "exposure". But whatever you do, make sure your apron's knot is tied correctly: taken women tie theirs on the right while those who are single--and ready to mingle--tie it on the left. Tied in the back? She's a widow or your waitress. 

Oktoberfest 2023 Dates

This year's festival will be held from September 16 to October 3 on the Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany. The festival lasts for 18 days, and over 6 million visitors are expected to attend the event from all over the world.

There's no need to worry if you're not able to make it over to Oktoberfest Munich, get your mates over, get the steins flowing and throw the ultimate Oktoberfest at home!

What Music is Played at Oktoberfest?

It's not a party without music. And it's certainly not Oktoberfest without some foot-stomping, bench-dancing, beer-spilling tunes. While your traditional Oompah music would definitely go down a storm, here's some of our favourites from the fest that should make it on your playlist:

Sweet Caroline--Neil Diamond

Mamma Mia--ABBA

Sweet Home Alabama--Lynyrd Skynyrd

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)--The Proclaimers

Hey Baby--Bruce Channel

Tubthumping (I Get Knocked Down)--Chumbawamba

It's Raining Men--The Weather Girls

Take Me Home, Country Roads--John Denver

Hang On Sloopy--The McCoys

I'm Walking On Sunshine--Katrina and the Waves

If all else fails, here's an Oktoberfest playlist that Spotify has put together for this grand occasion.

The Toast

And finally, knowing the words to arguably the most important Oktoberfest song is imperative. Played at least every 20 minutes, "Ein Prosit" is the most played German drinking song at Oktoberfest. Stand on that bench, swing that stein and pay no attention to the beer you just spilled down the front of yourself--just make sure you sing along!

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.

OANS! ZWOA! DREI! G'SUFFA!