Cheers: More than 7.3 million liters of beer were sold in 2019 Oktoberfest served in Munich. Even more guests are expected this year, which means: there will certainly be even more beer distributed!
But what actually is a measure? Read everything about the history of the Maß and other exciting facts about the favorite drink at the Oktoberfest!
What is a measure?
Originally, the Maß was used as a unit of volume for serving wine and beer. The Bavarian measure corresponded to 1.069 liters. When the liter was introduced as the new unit of measurement for liquids, the unit was abolished in 1869.
The new beer corresponds to exactly one liter and is only used in connection with the beer mug, which contains beer.
Measure etiquette at the Oktoberfest
There are a few things to consider when drinking beer at the Oktoberfest in Munich! In order to have the best drinking experience at the Wiesn, you should pay attention to the following tips:
It can get so crowded in the marquee. A reservation is recommended
► Reservation: More than 6 million people visit the Oktoberfest every year. It will be difficult to find a place there. And no seat means no beer! You should find out as soon as possible whether you can reserve a place in a tent.
► Hold the pitcher correctly: Watch out! To avoid injuries to the fingers, the pitcher should always be held by the handle. Otherwise, if you grab the jug with your hand, it could be very painful for your fingers when you touch it.
► Toast: The tradition of toasting goes back to the Middle Ages. When the nobility drank with the common people, one thing was taken into account: after toasting, set the beer down on the table and only then did the nobleman drink. In order not to disregard the other person, you should pay attention to this tradition in the future!
► The “Noagerl”: The last sip of the beer is not drunk or mixed with fresh beer. The only exception: if the waiter takes too long to replenish the supplies, you can drink the last sip if you are very thirsty!
► A dimension exen: The Oktoberfest in a folk festival and not a booze! It is even forbidden to drink the beer mug. Such behavior should neither be imitated nor rewarded with applause!
► The beer belongs in the marquee: The Maß beer is drunk in the beer tent and not on the street. Accordingly, the beer mug remains in the marquee and may not be taken with you.
The price of a pint of beer
Every restaurateur sets the price for the beer he offers himself. The price for a beer at the Wiesn has been rising for years.
At Oktoberfest 2019, the price for a pint of beer was between 10.80 and 11.80 euros. The prices for this year’s Wiesn have already been announced: on average, you have to shell out 13 euros to get a liter of beer. That’s about 15 percent more than in 2019!
The Oktoberfest mug
The Oktoberfest beer mug is redesigned every year and shows the Oktoberfest poster motif. The paintings on the jug were created by hand.
The Oktoberfest mug of the Wiesn 2019: You could have bought this beer mug at the Wiesn 2019
At the festival, the beer is served in glass beer mugs. But you can also purchase collector’s mugs and take them home with you. These are made of ceramic mass and have a traditional lid.