Oktoberfest is celebrated every year by people all over the world. It is a time to drink more beer and wine than usual. However, many do not know that the festivities actually started in the German city of Munich several centuries ago. In 1810, Prince Ludwig of Bavaria was married to Princes Therese. Ludwig would later become King Ludwig I. There was a large party prepared for the royal couple, and the events were held outside the very walls and gates of the city. All of the citizens were asked to come and have fun. During the first festival, the royal family joined horse races. The practice was well-received by the people that they decided to do it again. Every year, there were horse races held as well as an agricultural event. The practice continued through the years, until horse racing became a part of many agricultural displays in the years that followed.
Beer and a lot of food were offered by local sellers. Later on, more food stalls, market vendors and rides for children were provided after 1818. The fair continued to grow through the years and more entries and fun activities were introduced. After a century, millions of visitors frequented Wiesen or the fields. In Bavaria, the celebration was referred to as Wies’n, after Princes Theresienwiese.
The wedding was conducted on October 12. Actually, it started in September and went on for 16 days until early October. When Germany became one again in 1990, the dates were set so that Oktoberfest stopped on Unity Day or October 3. The first set of events included wine tasting affairs. Many cellars featured their best spirits, alcohol and beer. The idea was for citizens to consume all the beer so that the storages would be empty and they can have room for more brew to make. There are six huge breweries in Munich, although other makers also have their specialties. According to the Purity Order, only key ingredients like barley, water and hops can be used to create beer. The steins started to gain popularity afterwards.
Steins started in Germany. The word came from Steinzeugkrug, which means stone tankard. It was the recommended clean container for drinks at the time.
The steins were used widely by people and these were also composed of different materials like glass and pewter, depending on the place. There were several variations introduced, such as a heavy hinged lid that would keep the contents fresh and free from contaminants. There were also other add-ons that would keep the beer from spilling. Over time, stein kinds and designs varied and many used these either for decoration or actual brewing.
In Germany, a lot of citizens still prefer to have their beer straight from mugs and glasses. Steins are still available but these usually are for exhibition purposes. Some models have very attractive designs that make these ideal for bars and pubs. Tourists might visit local places just to see authentic steins. Others may order these online for display purposes in their homes.