Travel mongers have heard a lot about Oktoberfest, annual festival in Munich, Germany that expands for a two-week period. For the uninitiated, the fest actually started on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I, to Princess Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. That year, the celebrations lasted five days and concluded with a horse race that happened in an open area (later named by the Princess, Theresienwiese or Thesese’s Green). During the five days celebrations, people enjoyed balloon ascension, shooting contests, and much more. The following year, celebrations included many other things including an agricultural fair. By 1818, the festival had even more things like large tents set up by the Munich breweries.
Oktoberfest, as people know it today, is associated with beer drinking and vast amounts of beer are consumed by the people. Plus there are lots of delicacies to accompany the beer – baked fish, fried chicken, and tons of sausages.
In 1910, when the Oktoberfest marked the 100th Anniversary of the Prince and the Princess, a bright idea of issuing a commemorative beer stein emerged. In no time, it gained the attention. Year after year, other commemorative steins were issued. Steins feature vibrant decorations carrying “Münchner Oktoberfest, 1810...” On the base, one can even find the stamp, “Offizieller Festkrug Oktoberfest”, which means Official Oktoberfest Festival Stein, along with the date.
Beer Stein Oktoberfest has now become synonyms as people enjoy their steins full of beer during the fest. Steins are usually made of salt-glazed stoneware. The word “stein” comes originally from Germany that somehow means mugs. Beer steins are mugs used for drinking beer and holds a plenty amount of beer. Steins are characterized not just by their craftsmanship, but also its masculine handle and tall, elegant lid.
Oktoberfest commemorative steins have become a craze among people, especially when they got designed by famous artists including Ringer. However, many copies are also available on the market and look equally good. But serious collectors prefer to have the original not the imitating ones. The authentic beer steins of Oktoberfest do carry an authentication mark on the stein’s base.
Ludwig and Therese may not have lived happily ever after, but the Oktoberfest still continues and is celebrated with great zeal. The citizens of Munich and Bavaria celebrate the festival for two long weeks and consume a lot of beer, and enjoy a number of activities.