My good college friends Tim and Josh flew to Munich last week for Oktoberfest. Needless to say, we had a great time doing what us guys do best -- drinking a little, reminiscing about the good ole days, drinking a little more, talking politics, and then making great decisions such as going to Oktoberfest 3 days in a row. It was quite the marathon let me tell you.
On Thursday we took a bike tour of the city and then went to two of the best beer halls in town - the locals' favorite, Augustiner-Brau and then of course the Hofbrauhaus.
Here we are drinking the best beer in town - Augustiner Dunkel (well, I still think it's a toss-up between this and Konig Ludwig Dunkel, but I'm not going to argue with a beer that's been around since 1328).
We had tickets to the Schottenhamel tent at Oktoberfest on Saturday and Sunday. I always laugh when they say "tent" because this one holds 6,000 people inside and 4,000 in the beer garden outside! This is also the tent where Oktoberfest officially begins with the first barrel being tapped by the mayor of Munich.
Inside the Schottenhamel. All of the tents have a band in the middle playing music. The music ranges from traditional Bavarian music to Country Roads to some other songs that I just can't explain but that everyone here knows (or at least well enough to belt out some random words) and some songs even have "actions" to go along with them.
Our first Oktoberfest beer.
I'm sure you can imagine the weight of a mug that holds a liter of beer (34 ounces). Even if you can't, let me just say that they are practically indestructible. I guess Tim was anxious to pose for this picture because he knocked Josh in the head with his. HA! (sorry guys, I just couldn't resist this one)
Horse-drawn cart rolling in the barrels (not kegs) for the day.
Tim showing off his ability to hold 4 liters. The waitresses carry 6 in each arm. We're not sure how they do it.
We had tickets to the Hippodrom tent on the 3rd day. This one holds 3,300 inside and 1,100 in the beer garden outside.
We also rented a car and drove to Salzburg and Berchtesgaden to see the Eagle's Nest. This is one of the benefits of driving in Germany - driving 100mph, literally...and still getting passed.
Tim and me in Salzburg.
Josh and Tim in Salzburg on the hike up to the fortress.
Fortress on the top of the hill in Salzburg.
City of Salzburg looking down from the fortress.
Tim and Josh posing in the puppet gallery inside the fortress.
Medieval exhibit inside the fortress.
Cart full of huge wheels of cheese in an outdoor market in Salzburg.
At the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany just outside Salzburg.
