Oktoberfest will once again be held in Munich, Germany on September 20 thru October 5 this year. With the plethora of food and drinks available during this sixteen-day event, it’s a great idea to learn German to be able to pronounce them.

It’s All About the Delicacies

When you think of Oktoberfest, the many types of German sausages (“wurst” in the native language) are not far behind. More than the usual frankfurter sausage, you will appreciate the bockwurst (chicken, turkey, lamb, pork with parsley, chives, white pepper, paprika, and salt), knackwurst (beef or pork with fresh garlic), and the bratwurst (veal, beef, and/or pork). You’d better study German to be able to speak these delicious sausages’ German names without making a fool of yourself.

You’ll also get the opportunity to sample the many types of spatzle, or noodles, the ideal accompaniment to beer. Common ingredients for the spatzle include diverse spices, flour, milk, eggs, and salt. You should absolutely try the kasespatzle – cheese noodles with fried onions. It is a must to study German in order to show your gratitude.

Bavarian delicacies like Apfelpfannenkuchen (apple pancakes), sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), and hendl (roasted chicken) need to also be tasted. As if these are not enough reasons to learn to speak German, wait until you get to the beers.

Wines and Beers

More than the costumes, music, and food, the Oktoberfest is famous for its beers and wines. Be able to distinguish the various beers and wines in the 14 tents of the festival by learning the German language.

Opt for the sekt – with its high carbon dioxide levels, this sparkling wine is fizzier than most. For that special occassion, go for sekt formulated from Pinot gris and blanc grapes and Riesling, or the Deutscher Sekt.

German wheat beer can get you drunk. To name some of the numerous types, there is the Weizenstarkbier (strong wheat beer), Dunkelweizen (dark wheat), Kristallweizen (crystal wheat, and the unfiltered and traditional Hefeweizen. You need to learn to speak German as quickly as you can, lest you confuse one with the other; the monikers hint at the alcohol strength – the darker the wheat component, the higher the alcohol levels, usually.

Obviously, you cannot pass on the marzen (pale lager), an Oktoberfestbier brewed specially for the festival. Indeed, showing the many varieties of wines and beers is what the Oktoberfest is about. Why, there are about 15 wines offered in the Weinzelt tent alone!

Obviously, you need not learn German to appreciate Oktoberfest, meet new people, dine on great food, and drink bacchanalian pleasures. Still, if you wish to be heard over the Oktoberfest raucous, learning German is a benefit.