A Beginner's Guide To Buying Beer At Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a festival that takes place in Munich, Germany, and is famous for its beer. Entry to the festival grounds is free, but the beer tents are usually closed for overcrowding on Friday nights and Saturdays. Reservations are therefore recommended for these peak times, but they are only available for large groups and must be paid for in advance. Beer is sold in 1-litre glasses and prices range from 13.60 to 15.30 euros. Each of Munich's six big breweries serves up a special beer that has been brewed specifically for the occasion, so visitors can expect a deadly combination of delicious drinkability and higher alcohol content.

Beer prices at Oktoberfest

The official beer price for Oktoberfest 2024 is between €13.60 and €15.30 for a litre of beer, which is an average of 3.87% more than in 2023. Last year, the price range was between €12.60 and €14.90. Beer prices vary depending on which tent you are drinking in, but with a price difference of around €1 per beer, it is recommended not to let beer prices sway where you go to get your litres of beer. This small difference in Oktoberfest beer prices won't play a major role in your overall Oktoberfest budget.

The least expensive of the main Oktoberfest beer halls for Oktoberfest last year was at Augustiner-Festhalle, with €13.50 litres. At 6.3% ABV, Augustiner's Oktoberfest beer provides the best bang for your buck. So it is recommended to drink at Augustiner-Festhalle for those heading to Oktoberfest on a budget in 2024.

There are small tents at Oktoberfest, many of which have lower beer prices than the big main tents. At the Familienplatzl, a small tent meant for families with children, you can find litres for €12.60 – a wonderful price for parents to enjoy!

Yet for those not heading to Oktoberfest as a family, the next cheapest litre of beer was found at the Museumszelt (Museum Tent), with litres of Spaten for €13.20. But do be aware the museum tent is part of the Oide Wiesn, which charges a modest admission of a few euros to enter.

How to Buy Beer at Oktoberfest

Each of the beer halls at Oktoberfest is completely free to enter. There are no entrance fees, so don't be scammed if you see something online advertising a ticket to get in. Just show up to Oktoberfest, go to a beer hall, find a seat, and buy a beer!

You will definitely want to buy some Oktoberfest beers, of course. For Oktoberfest 2024, expect to pay the beer server about €14+ for each beer. Although this is pricey for beer, understand that you're paying these prices partly for the awesome Oktoberfest atmosphere.

Also, that €14 price gets you a huge beer! You may be accustomed to drinking pints of beer. But Oktoberfest beers are served in those signature litre glasses called a "Maß" (pronounced: "mass"). Each of these litre glasses contains more than two pints of beer!

So consider that you're getting two pints of delicious Bavarian-brewed beer in arguably the most fun drinking setting in the world for a mere €14 or so. When you look at it that way, Oktoberfest beers are actually great value.

This is what you travelled all the way to Munich for. Don't worry too much about your Oktoberfest budget when it comes to the price of beer. Just drink up and have a blast!

And with most Oktoberfest beers clocking in around 6% alcohol, it only takes a few of those big litres of beers to get you singing and dancing along to the traditional Bavarian tunes being played.

Tipping at Oktoberfest

Tipping at Oktoberfest is technically not required, but it is customary. You should indeed tip the beer servers who are schlepping those heavy steins by the handful through an insanely crowded beer hall. Don't be cheap with this at Oktoberfest.

A €1 tip per litre is a good rule of thumb. Yet consider tipping more if the server is very attentive, fun, and/or you want to build rapport with them to help ensure good service throughout a prolonged drinking session. Depending on the price of your litres, sometimes it can be convenient to round up to the nearest multiple of 5. A euro or two extra per litre is always appreciated.

That said, bring small denominations of euros so that you can tip accordingly. Servers may not always have change ready, which could force you into an awkward situation of over-tipping or under-tipping.

Where to buy beer

If you're planning on buying beer at Oktoberfest, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, entrance to the festival grounds and the beer tents is completely free. However, the beer tents tend to close on Friday nights and Saturdays due to overcrowding. Reservations are highly recommended for these peak times, but as a first-timer, you're unlikely to get a reservation for these days.

Now, onto the beer! At Oktoberfest, the beer comes from one of Munich's six main breweries: Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Hofbräu, and Löwenbräu. Each tent at the festival will typically serve beer from only one of these breweries, so choose your tent carefully if you have a preference. Here's a list of tents and the brewery they serve:

• Augustiner: Augustiner-Festhalle, Fischer-Vroni
• Paulaner: Armbrustschützenzelt, Winzerer Fähndl, Käfer's Wies'n Schänke
• Spaten: Marstall, Schottenhamel, Ochsenbraterei/Spatenbräu-Festhalle
• Löwenbräu: Schützen-Festzelt, Löwenbräu-Festhalle
• Hacker-Pschorr: Hacker-Festzelt, Pschorr-Bräurosl
• Hofbräu: Hofbräu Festzelt

When it comes to the types of beer available, Bavarians like to keep it simple. You'll usually find the following options:

• Helles: This is light beer and the most common type available.
• Radler: A refreshing mix of half helles and half fizzy lemon soda (like Sprite). It's a great option if you want to pace yourself and avoid getting drunk too quickly.
• Alcohol-free: Self-explanatory!
• Hefeweizen: Wheat beer, but this is only available in some tents.

It's worth noting that the beer served at Oktoberfest is stronger than your average beer, typically clocking in at around 6% alcohol content. So, it's important to pace yourself and remember to drink responsibly. The standard serving size at Oktoberfest is 1 liter, so you'll be getting a healthy dose of beer with each purchase!

In terms of price, a liter of beer at Oktoberfest in 2024 ranged from 13.60 euros to 15.30 euros, with an average price of 14.43 euros. This is an increase from 2023, where prices ranged from 12.60 euros to 14.90 euros. The price depends on the tent, so be sure to check before you buy.

Beer drinking tips

Know the Beer

Oktoberfest beers are stronger than regular beers, with an alcohol content of around 6%. They are also deceptively smooth and drinkable, so it is important to pace yourself. Each of Munich's 'Big Six' breweries serves up a special beer that has been brewed specifically for the occasion.

Know the Tents

Each tent usually serves beer from only one of the 'Big Six' breweries, so choose carefully. Different tents serve different beers, and each has its own unique atmosphere and crowd. The Augustiner-Festhalle and Fischer-Vroni tents, for example, serve Augustiner beer.

Reservations

Reservations are not required, but they can be very helpful, especially on busy Friday and Saturday nights when the beer tents are often closed for overcrowding. Reservations are typically only available for large groups and require the purchase of food and drink vouchers.

Costs

The cost of a litre of beer at Oktoberfest in 2024 is between 13.60 and 15.30 euros, an average of 3.87% more than in 2023. Beer prices are not set by the city of Munich but by the proprietors. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available, including soft drinks, juice, and water, but these are also quite expensive.

Drinking Culture

Bavarian Purity Laws dictate that Bavarian beer may only consist of water, malt, hops, and barley, resulting in some of the tastiest beer in the world. When drinking with others, it is customary to make eye contact and tap the bottom of your glasses together while giving a cheer, such as "Prost" (the standard cheer in German) or "Ein Prosit Der Gemütlichkeit" (I Salute Our Friendship & Good Times).

Alternatives

For those who don't drink alcohol, there are still plenty of options at Oktoberfest. Alcohol-free beer (labelled as Alkoholfrei) is available at every tent, and there are also soft drinks, juice, and water. For those who don't like beer but want to partake, there is wine available at certain tents, as well as schnapps and other spirits at some of the smaller stalls.

Reservations

To secure a reservation, you will usually need to purchase food and beer vouchers in advance. These vouchers typically include tokens for a set amount of beer and food, such as a half chicken per person. The cost of these vouchers can be around 350 euros for a table, essentially acting as a pre-payment for your food and drinks. Some tents may also charge a small handling fee, and if you require the vouchers to be shipped to you, there may be an additional shipping fee.

Drinking culture

Drinking is a central part of the Oktoberfest experience, with 7 million litres of beer consumed each year. The festival is known for its drinking culture, and while there are other activities, drinking is at the top of the list for many attendees.

The Beer

The beer served at Oktoberfest is 'Oktoberfest beer', a special brew made specifically for the occasion by Munich's 'Big Six' breweries. It is stronger than regular beer, with around 6% alcohol content, and is also notably smooth and drinkable. Each tent usually serves beer from only one of the six breweries, so it is important to choose carefully. The breweries are: Augustiner, Paulaner, Spaten, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr, and Hofbräu.

The standard serving size for beer at Oktoberfest is one litre, served in a glass 'Maß'. Beer is typically only sold by the litre in the beer tents, and costs between 13.60 and 15.30 euros in 2024. While reservations are not required to attend Oktoberfest, they can be useful, especially for large groups, and on Friday and Saturday nights when the festival is at its busiest. Reservations usually require a large group of people (often 8-10) and the pre-purchase of food and drink vouchers.

Alternatives to Beer

Although beer is the main focus of Oktoberfest, there are alternatives available. The Wine Tent (Weinzelt) offers over 15 types of wine, including tart apple wine (Apfelwein), white wine (Weisswein), and red wine (Rotwein). Wine is also available in some of the other tents, including Schützen Tent, Hofbräu Tent, and Marstall. Free-standing drink stands also offer wine, champagne, mixed drinks, and schnapps. Radler, a mix of half beer and half lemon soda, is another option for those who want to avoid getting too drunk too quickly, and is available in most tents. For those who don't drink alcohol, non-alcoholic beer (Alkoholfreies Bier) and soft drinks, including soda, water, and juice, are available.

Frequently asked questions