Oktoberfest is nigh—and, whether or not you’ve got your own dirndl or pair of lederhosen, the annual German festival has long been a popular way for beer drinkers to let loose. In honor of the celebrations, this week we asked The Fervent Few if they’ve been to Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest the traditional way—and, if so, how it compares to other Oktoberfest events they’ve attended.

Peter Campen: “Nothing compares to Oktoberfest in Munich. I was there when I was 18. Unfortunately I had gone down to Munich to pick up my puritanical parents, so I only got to drink a single liter at the Hofbräuhaus that night. (By then I had been an exchange student in Germany for three months—a half-case of Aldi Pils was the nightly norm at this point.)

We walked past tent after tent that was at capacity before we found one that was taking guests. Huge doesn’t describe the tents. My memory says my daughter’s track field could fit in one—I’m probably wrong. Either way the Marienplatz is jam-packed with thousands of people singing and drinking. It was amazing, even if my prudish parents wouldn’t let me have another.

Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest is the biggest in the U.S., but is mostly a food festival. Drinking is limited to beer gardens on side streets. Most of my experiences at the event were spent not drinking on concert stages (I used to work for an event production company in the Queen City). I now live in Cleveland, where we have a nice Oktoberfest in our county fairgrounds. I judge the local craft beer competition most years. There are lots of German macro beers, craft, and food vendors, plus tents with traditional bands and lots of tables. That said, the craft beer hall is the place to be, and includes 15 of our local breweries. There are live bands, most of which play lots of Journey. Not bad, though Munich is still better.”

Wayne Pelletier: “Oktoberfest in Munich stands alone. It’s been 27 years, but I hold dear the memories of the incredible people, food, and five liters of Löwenbräu. The Marienplatz is totally packed—once you get to your tent, there isn’t much movement. Just beer cheese soup, pretzels, and as much currywurst as I could cram in.

Stateside, there are a few smaller-scale, table-style events. The last good one I attended was in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, 20 years ago. Most ‘Oktoberfest’ events in the Atlanta area are lame sampling events held by distributors. They all suck—just waiting in line for two ounces of brews available at the grocery store. I have tickets to a local table-style event in town this year … we’ll see.”

Lana Svitankova: “As I grow more fond of smaller events, I don't even consider going to Munich. All Germans I know turn their noses up at it as well, calling it a tourist trap, noisy, boring, and smelly (there are never enough toilets). But my dearest memory of October-related beer events is visiting Bamberg on the day of the autumnal Bock release. We had a few Bocks in other breweries, then got to see the barrel-tapping at Keesmann. The idea is the same—celebrating season, beer, and community—but on a much smaller scale, and more cozy, jolly and personal.”

Casey Street: “Munich's Oktoberfest is Disneyland for adults. My wife and I have been twice and are returning this year with friends for a third time. Our first time was such a shock. We caught the very last day as things were winding down and didn't know to get tent tickets beforehand. We sat outside in a beer garden drinking liters of beer and gawking at the craziness. I thought it was all about the beer, but there is so much food and games and actual roller coasters. I knew I had to go back.

Our second time through we went with another couple and purchased tickets for inside one of the fest halls. This required wiring money to a random account in Germany—scary to say the least, but it worked just fine. There was table-dancing involved that year. The beer seems to taste better inside the festival than anywhere else in Munich. It's been four years, so time for another trip!

Inside the United States, I haven't found anything comparable. It's mostly breweries hosting an event with an ‘Oktoberfest’ beer release, pretzels and some oompah music. However, I did visit the Busch Gardens’ Bier Fest in Williamsburg, Virginia a couple of weeks ago, and they have a giant, replica German beer hall. You really could think you were in Munich, other than the fact that they also had Virginia craft beer on tap!”

Claire Bullen: “I have never been to Oktoberfest, but will be going for the opening weekend this year! I'm really excited. The trip was planned on a whim with another beery friend of mine—we'd initially planned to go to Tbilisi, but it's very hard to get there from London in September, it turns out—and neither of us has ever been to Munich before. Everyone who I tell seems to have a pretty negative reaction, funnily enough. I'm expecting chaos, but it seems like one of those you-have-to-do-it-once kind of experiences.”

Have you been to Germany for Oktoberfest? Are you particularly fond of a festival that’s local to you? Join The Fervent Few, support all the great content GBH produces, and let's talk about that time you tried to win a stein-holding contest.