The Oide Wiesn – the Old Oktoberfest

This is a great idea which has been going since 2010: the Oide Wiesn, situated on the southern portion of the Theresienwiese, takes the Oktoberfest back to its roots with old-timey fairground rides and small-scale beer tents and stands. Like so many others, we loved it from the moment we saw it, and it was a shame when it didn’t happen last week due to a large-scale agricultural show which, unfortunately, takes place every four years on the bit of the field the Oide Wiesn people use. So if you want to get an impression of how the Oktoberfest used to be (before people like you and us used to go…), then don’t come along expecting to do so in 2016 or 2020.

But hey, three out of four is better than not at all, and we’ve really enjoyed it this year. Us “tourists” are partially responsible for making the Oktoberfest what it is today – and it’s absolutely brilliant as it is – but it’s still great that there is a more traditional alternative for people who are interested (and for families who can’t afford 10 Euros per kid for a ride on a rollercoaster that’s probably going to scare the bejeezus out of them anyway). Anyone wanting to try fairground rides that are less white-knuckle and more white-hair can do so for 1€ a pop, which is a great price, even if you have to pay 3€ to get in. In previous years, you had to stay in once you’d paid or shell out another 3€ to get back in if you left, but as of 2013, you get a wristband and can come and go as you please – which we think is great!

Now, although we don’t have children with us and like a good thrill-seeking ride, we love the Oide Wiesn for the Gemütlichkeit – the cosy, familiar atmosphere – in its small-scale Festzelt Tradition. And just as the name suggests, they do things the good, old-fashioned way here, with beer coming out of wooden barrels (the only other tent to offer this is Augustiner) and even served in traditional stoneware steins. To make sure we were dressed suitably, we went for short or knee-length lederhosen breeches with plain white shirts and waistcoats, as well as midi-length dirndl dresses or even longer models in typical colours.