2022-09-20 17:27:12
Cheers: More than 5.6 million pints of beer were served at the Oktoberfest in Munich in 2022. This year even more guests are expected and that means: there will certainly be more beer distributed!
But what exactly is a measure? Read everything about the history of the Maß and other exciting facts about the favorite drink at the Oktoberfest here!
What is a measure?
The measure was originally used as a unit of volume for serving wine and beer. The Bavarian measure was 1.069 liters. When the liter was introduced as a new unit of measurement for liquids, the measure was abolished in 1869.
The new measure corresponds to exactly one liter and is only used in conjunction with the beer mug that contains beer.
► Pronunciation: In Bavaria and Swabian areas, Maß is spoken with a short a and a sharp s (like barrel). In other areas the measure is spoken with a long a (as in Grass).
► Weight: To lift a full pint of beer, you need strength in your arms! An empty measure weighs approximately 1.3 kilograms. With contents, the whole thing weighs 2.3 kilograms!
This means fitness at Oktoberfest: The waiters sometimes carry up to 18 full pints of beer. That’s an impressive 41.4 kilograms!
► The largest beer mug in the world: The city of Oberviehtach (Bavaria) has been the world record holder since 2002! The largest beer mug in the world is 3.80 meters high and has a capacity of 4,718 liters. This record beer mug was produced in over 700 hours of work.
Measurement etiquette at the Oktoberfest
There are a few things to keep in mind when drinking beer at Oktoberfest in Munich! To have the best drinking experience at the Oktoberfest, you should pay attention to the following tips:
It can get so crowded in the festival tent. A reservation is recommended
Foto: picture alliance / SvenSimon
► Reservation: More than 6 million people visit Oktoberfest every year. It will be difficult to find a place. And no space means no beer! You should find out as early as possible whether you can reserve a place in a tent.
► Hold the jug correctly: Be careful! To avoid injuries to your fingers, the jug should always be held by the handle. If you grab the jug with your hand, it could be very painful for your fingers when it hits it.
► Toasting: The tradition of toasting goes back to the Middle Ages. When the nobility drank with the common people, one thing was ensured: after toasting, place the measure on the table, only then would the noble drink. In order not to disrespect 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 refill you, you are allowed to drink the last sip if you are very thirsty!
► A measure of exen: The Oktoberfest is a folk festival and not a drunken event! It is even forbidden to drink beer. Such behavior should neither be imitated nor rewarded with applause!
► The beer belongs in the festival tent: The beer is drunk in the beer tent and not on the street. The beer mug therefore remains in the festival tent and may not be taken with you.
The price of a pint of beer
Each restaurateur sets the price for the beer he offers himself. The price for a beer at the Oktoberfest 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 Oktoberfest have already been announced: On average, you have to pay between 12.60 euros and 14.90 euros to get a liter of beer.
also read
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 from the 2019 Oktoberfest: You could have purchased this beer mug at the 2019 Oktoberfest
Photo: Stefan M. Prager
At the festival, the beer is served in glass steins. You can also purchase collector’s mugs and take them home with you. These are made of ceramic mass and have a traditional lid.
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