Beer, Schnitzel, and Fascinating Facts to Celebrate Oktoberfest

Prost!

The first Oktoberfest took place in Munich, Germany more than 200 years ago on October 12, 1810. Today, the beloved beer festival is celebrated around the world and in our suds-lovin' Gem State! Whether you imbibe or you're there for the schnitzels, the pretzels, and the dirndls, Oktoberfest is for everyone. Don't know much about the famous festival? We dug up a list of things to know about the worldwide event!

Fascinating & Fun Oktoberfest Facts

The Origin. The first Oktoberfest had nothing to do with celebrating beer. It was a wedding reception in honor of German Prince Ludwig and his bride Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen!

The Beer. Bavarian tradition is at the heart of the Oktoberfest! Because of this, only beer brewed in Munich is permitted at the festival. New to German beer? Get Oktoberfest ready with a visit to Boise's Prost German Pub!

More Beer! Oktoberfest analysts estimate an impressive 1.98 million gallons of beer over 16 days are consumed by festival enthusiasts.

The Food. Wiener schnitzel, breaded pork schnitzel, and pretzels are the three core food groups of Oktoberfest! Couple those delicious dishes with sauerkraut and cabbage, and that's your festival fuel!
- Boise isn't without German cookery! Check out The Schnitzel Garden, Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen, and Prost German Pub!

The Gear. German dirndls and lederhosen are the official fashions of the festival! If you're looking for one of your own, check out the German Import Haus. And, if you can get your feet in a pair of the Adidas limited edition vomit-proof sneakers, drunken festival goers need not fear the beer that repeats itself!

The Family. Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event. German culture, amazing food, carnival attractions, and more offer something for all ages.

The Status. Traditional Bavarian male festival goers top their lederhosen with hats the Germans call Tirolerhute! Adorned with flowers, ornate stitch work, feathers, and goat hair, the more tufts of goat hair a man's hat has, the wealthier he is.

The Genius. World-famous physicist and mathematician Albert Einstein worked as an electrician at a Munich Oktoberfest beer tent in 1896.

The Mugs. Oktoberfest beer mugs from vendor tents aren't for sale. But that does little to stop festival goers from trying to take them home! In 2010, more than 100,000 beers mugs were confiscated by event security and returned to tent owners.

The Fun. Whether you love beer or steer clear of it, Oktoberfest is fun! It's the perfect place for Idahoans to gather with friends and family over fantastic food and exciting attractions. To find an Oktoberfest happening in or around Boise, visit BeerFests.com or join Boise's Craft Beer Community on Facebook!