Oktoberfest 101
This German city has hosted the original Oktoberfest since 1810.
Munich
This German automobile company makes the famous Beetle and its name literally means “people’s car.”
Volkswagon
This brass instrument, known for its very low sound and large bell, is a familiar sight in an Oktoberfest band.
Tuba
The German dish sauerkraut is made by fermenting this vegetable.
Cabbage
This 1965 musical starring Julie Andrews follows the von Trapp family in Austria as the Nazis rise to power.
Sound of Music
Oktoberfest has been celebrated for more than this many years: 50, 100, or 200?
200
This German composer continued creating music even after becoming almost completely deaf.
Ludwig van Beethoven
“Roll Out the Barrel” is the popular nickname for this famous polka song.
Beer Barrel Polka
This German sausage is often grilled and served with mustard or sauerkraut.
Bratwurst
German-born actress Marlene Dietrich became a Hollywood legend and starred in this 1930 film that made her an international star.
The Blue Angel
Oktoberfest began as a celebration honoring this type of royal event.
Wedding
These two German brothers collected and published famous fairy tales including Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Hansel and Gretel.
Brothers Grimm
This bandleader, famous for his “champagne music,” regularly featured polkas on his long-running television show.
Lawrence Welk
This breaded and fried cutlet, often made from pork or veal, is a German-speaking-world favorite.
schnitzel
This 1963 World War II film starring Steve McQueen follows Allied prisoners planning an escape from a German POW camp.
The Great Escape
Princess Therese, whose wedding inspired the first Oktoberfest, gave her name to the festival grounds. “Theresienwiese” roughly translates to “Therese’s” this.
Meadow
This German dog breed is famous for its long body and short legs; its name means “badger dog.”
Dachshund
This Austrian composer, known as the “Waltz King,” wrote the famous Blue Danube waltz.
Johann Strauss II
This German pot roast is marinated for several days before cooking, giving the meat its distinctive sweet-and-sour flavor.
Sauerbraten
This 1965 WWII comedy starred Lee Marvin as an American officer leading a group of misfit soldiers on a dangerous mission behind German lines.
The Dirty Dozen
The traditional cry “O’zapft is!” officially announces the opening of Oktoberfest. In English, the phrase means this.
"It's tapped"
This German composer wrote the famous Bridal Chorus, better known as “Here Comes the Bride.”
Richard Wagner
This lively German folk dance, often accompanied by accordion music, gets its name from a movement that involves slapping the thighs, knees, and shoes.
Schuhplattler
This German dish whose name translates roughly to “cheese noodles” combines spätzle with melted cheese and is sometimes compared to macaroni and cheese.
Käsespätzle
This actor played the bumbling Sergeant Schultz, famous for saying, “I know nothing!” on Hogan’s Heroes.
John Banner