Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany -- Two weeks in the fall for over 200 years, Bavarian locals and tourist alike have been coming to the world’s largest fair located in Munich, Germany. Known as the “die Wiesen” to the locals, this 16-day beer festival is not all about the beer….but also about the food, and socializing with friends and family.

Even during mid-day, long time locals come to the die Wiesen for lunch to dine on local traditional foods such as Hendi (chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), one of my favorites Schweinshaxe (pork knuckles) and Brezeln (Pretzel). Some locals even come to Oktoberfest three times per year, once with family, once with friends, and once with work colleagues. During the evenings, many of the tents are full requiring reservations.

During a typical Oktoberfest, there will be over 6.5 million visitors, over 7 million liters of beer consumed, over 500,000 chickens roasted, and about 120 full Oxen turned on the spit.

Photos and text by Matt Swinden