The first time I heard the word Gamsbart, I completely misunderstood. I heard “Gans Bart” (Goose Beard) and figured the person telling me about them had lost their mind. So, what is a Gamsbart? This special decoration, crafted from a tuft of fur from a Gams, a mountain goat, looks like an old-fashioned shaving brush and is usually found on…
Category: Festivals
Freimarkt in Bremen- A Market and Fair with 1000 years of History
Most people have heard about Oktoberfest in Munich, but it’s not Germany’s only big Fall Festival. The Freimarkt in Bremen, which starts the second week of October, attracts over 4 million people yearly over its 17 days! What is the Bremen Freimarkt? This 1000-year-old festival is the largest in Northern Germany. Although it started as a “Free Market“, meaning that…
Oktoberfest Foods- Delicious Foods to Soak up all that Beer
When it comes to Oktoberfest, the first thing people seem to focus on is the BEER. But you want a base for all that alcohol… so don’t forget to EAT! Besides, the festival food is delicious. There are many traditional German Oktoberfest Foods that you will find served in the various Beer Tents and on the Wiesn. Feel confused by…
All About Oktoberfest-Oktoberfest History,Traditions, Food & More
When summer draws to an end, it’s time to think about Fall Festivals in Germany. And the BIGGEST Fall Festival is, Oktoberfest. People from all over the world descend on Munich to celebrate this crazy fun event! And… these days, Oktoberfest celebrations are popping up all over the world. Rather than have people searching for any information they need about…
Soft German Pretzel Recipe (without Lye)
While I’ve always known that German pretzels exist, I had them at Fairs or Karneval and such; it wasn’t until I went to Munich that I discovered just how central soft German pretzels are in daily life in Bavaria. They aren’t just Oktoberfest Food. Soft Pretzels are found in the Bread Basket beside the Brötchen and Roggenbrot! BAM! That was…
When is the Oktoberfest in Munich? It’s in September!!
Germans are notoriously precise with their speech, after all, this is the language that gave us words like Schwangerschaftverhütungsmittel (Pregnancy Preventing Remedy) and Dudelsack (A bag that makes a doodling sound, aka Bagpipes), so it’s incredibly confusing to so many people OUTSIDE Germany that Oktoberfest does not start in October. So, when is the Oktoberfest in Munich? It’s in September!…
German Fest Milwaukee 2018! Thank You & PHOTOS!
UPDATE- Thursday before German Fest weekend is always a fun “gathering” day. 2 Years ago I was there with my family… this year, Covid-19 cancelled the event. Still… there’s always next year! Loving these KIDS!!! Isn’t it funny how time spent having fun just FLIES by? Seems like only yesterday I was packing my bags to go to German Fest…
What is a Charivari? Learn more about these Lederhosen Chains
When you are at a German Festival, and see people in Bavarian Tracht, you may notice that some men wear what looks like a chain of charms on their Lederhosen. What is that Lederhosen chain called? And what does it symbolize? As I’m curious by nature, I did some digging. The chain of trinkets or charms is called a Charivari…
What is Oktoberfest Beer? And what makes it Special?
During the Fall months, with the arrival of pumpkin spice comes Oktoberfest beers. While they are exceedingly delicious beers, the question remains: What is Oktoberfest Beer? And what makes one beer an Oktoberfest beer and another a seasonal ale? Is it the flavor or is it the Season? And is there a special way to brew Oktoberfest Beer? It turns out…