Starkbierfest (Munich Strong Beer Festival)

Went to a mini fest over the weekend in Munich. We had a good time at Paulaner Nockherberg brewery. A lot of the breweries in Munich have their own areas for the fest. It was just a warm up preparing for May in my book!

Starkbier is a heavier beer they say the monks drank up (as liquid beer) preparing for lent.. I don't know that it would help me survive a month without food but at 750 calories, a couple of those would certainly allow me to survive the day. We were outside, but inside is where the fun takes place... There just were not any seats!

Got my room!

Reserved my room today! Of course all the hotels raised their rates for rooms using points over all, so an extra 10,000 points per day were required. Still better than paying 200 Euros a night. Of course, I am looking forward to Frühlingsfest first as that one is when life gets good here in Germany. Winter is gone and the beer gartens open up.

Pictures from 2012!

Oktoberfest has begun!

The mayor has tapped the first keg and the beer is flowing. I am not there for it but will be next weekend. Hopefully your trip plans are set and you are ready to go. I will be posting pictures following the fest. Happy drinking. Prost!

Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest

 

The Frühlingsfest (Spring Fest) is currently going on all over Germany. I am headed to the largest of the Springfests tonight. Will be lots of fun! Video posted from the first week of the fest (the weather is much better now).

And here is a video from inside a beer tent

 

Oktoberfest 2012 Calendar of Events

9/22/12 10:45 AM	Arrival of the tent patrons with parade through Munich.
9/22/2012  Noon	Tapping of the first Octoberfest-beer-barrel by the Munich mayor in the Schottenhamel Tent.
9/23/12 9:45 AM	Traditional costume parade through Munich.
9/24/2012  Noon	Special lunch for senior citizens in the big tents.
9/25/2012  Noon-6	Family day: all rides and performances cost less.
9/27/12 10:00 AM	Traditional religious Oktoberfest mass in the Hippodrom-tent.
9/30/12 11:00 AM	Traditional concert of the Oktoberfest brass-bands at the feet of the Bavaria.
10/1/12 6:00 PM	Rosa Wiesn in the  Fischer Vroni tent.
10/2/2012  Noon-6	Family day: all rides and performances cost less.
10/3/2012  Noon	Senior showman meeting in the Hippodrom.
10/07/2012  Noon	Traditional gun-salute on the steps of the Bavaria monument.

Getting a Passport

 

Being an American going to Europe is easy. For short trips, we do not require a visa. We do however still require a US Passport book (make sure you get the book and not the card). Fortunately, with adequate preparation getting a Passport is easy and pretty cheap. Go online and fill out the form, scroll down to step one (fill out online and print), accept the terms click next and then click to apply for a new passport. Fill out all fields and print. This only takes a few minutes and you will have a completed Passport application. The fee is $165 for normal processing (plan for 8-12 weeks) and $205 for expedited processing (plan for 4-6 weeks). I would pay the extra $12.50 for overnight delivery as well to ensure you don’t have any problems with the Passport being shipped.

You need to submit this documentation in person. When I did it, the post office was my one stop shop. The information you need to bring with you is:

· The application filled out above

· Payment

· Birth Certificate (or other proof of citizenship) – the original document needs to be sent as well: I strongly recommend overnight shipping to passport office and back to you

· Driver’s license or Photo ID (also photocopy this ID to send)

· Passport photo (can get at Walmart, Walgreens, or other…The post office also will do this during certain times)

And then wait. You will receive a new passport after a month or two and will be ready to travel!