Camaraderie of Beer

Our Oktoberfest trip would not have been complete without a visit to one of the beer tents run by the major beer companies of Munich. We randomly chose the Spaten tent upon arrival Sunday morning, and were lucky to find a spot among the already crowded tables. These tents are giant. There are thousands of people inside, sitting on benches back to back, squeezed in with as many people as possible at your table.

That may seem uncomfortable, it if it weren't for the camaraderie of beer that prevails here. If you are drinking beer, you are friends with everyone else. It doesn't matter what language you speak, tourist or local, you are an integral part of this festival just by sitting on the bench and ordering a liter. That was a surprising and enjoyable aspect of Oktoberfest for us.

And just wait until the band starts up! An entire tent of people raising their voice in song and their liters of beer for a joyous toast. "Ein prosit, ein prosit, der gemutlichkeit," the crowd choruses together, followed by a cheer and a big drink of beer. You can't help but smile! I surprised myself by joining in, apparently I had learned Oktoberfest songs in high school German class all unknowingly.

Oktoberfest is a happy festival. A time of gathering, with old and new friends. Everywhere you looked there were knots of people toasting, singing, eating, cheering, laughing. Calling back and forth across tables to each other. You can sit and talk and happily drink your beer all day long. And when you finish one liter, the empties are cleared away...

...and before you know it, a new round makes it's way to you, to start all over again.

If you ever have the chance to go to Oktoberfest, don't hesitate, just go. Enjoy a few liters, with thousands of your new best friends, in the camaraderie of beer. Pros't!