OKTOBERFEST

HALLO,

A beer festival? Not a natural place for a coeliac. This was definitely my fear and preconception. Going for my sister's 30th Birthday, I was nervous that I was going to be the party pooper of the trip. Having been about ten years prior and not being diagnosed, I had fond memories of beer halls and the fun and excitement of the incredible Munich Oktoberfest. However, being coeliac, and beer and pretzels being 'staple' of the Bavarian festival diet, I remembered I wasn't very excited. Sucking up my fear and knowing that this was all about my sister's entry into her thirties, I prepared myself with rations and the understanding that I may have to be the ‘Sober Sally’ of this trip! Now I am not saying being Sober Sally is a bad thing but if you know anything about me it is that I love a wine. Even now as I write this I have a red sitting on the coffee table consoling the fact that I am at home and not overseas travelling. I am not saying that Oktoberfest is made for the coeliac, but with my fun tips you can have a great time partying it up, enjoying the ambiance and loving the fact that you are a part of this incredible experience! Oktoberfest is really a once in a life time experience and something whether you are coeliac or not should experience! So here are my following tips. Some will help you survive the festival gluten free and some will just help you enjoy it more!

Tip one: There is a Prosecco Tent ... Get Around It! 

This is something my little wine loving ears loved to hear... PROSECCO TENT... hell yeah! More of a stand then a tent, this is amazing news for a coeliac or non beer obsessed Oktoberfest attendee! Just order yourself a prosecco, collect your tokens for the glasses and you are away!

Tip two: Wear Runners... Trust Me it is Worth It!

Now this is just good practice and pretty much followed by all locals. Fancy dirndl, why not pair it with some runners? This is super important for prolonging your stamina and fun factor at the event! With the maze and kilometers you will walk over your time at Oktoberfest, it is absolutely worth opting for comfy shoes over fashion. Also if you are going to hit the drink, safer too! It may not be your finest fashion moment but it will make the festival more enjoyable and funnier when you look at the girls staggering home with high heeled shoes in hand at the end of the night!

Tip three: Order Wine Steins in Tents.

Now this is not something that is advertised in some of the tents but some waitresses in particular tents can go and buy you wine. However, the wine is collected from a different area in the tent and it is better (more profitable) for them to go and get beer rather than get you wine. Explain you are coeliac and can't drink beer, order two wines at once because it takes a long time and tip them well! LIKE REALLY WELL! LIKE APPRECIATE THE GODDESSES THEY ARE! Because they can say no and will say no if you don't! I know this from experience and because Michael, my brother in law (well almost) and amazing blog editor, knew some of the girls who worked at the Hofbräu tent so I had an in, but if you are going to a big tent, get there early enough that you can explain your situation and worship their every move!

Tip four: Go to the Old Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is very high pace. So it is really fantastic and totally worth the three Euro you have to pay to get in to the traditional part of the festival, the Oide Wiesn. This is where you find a lot of the Munich natives as it more of an authentic and traditional view of Oktoberfest. Festzelt Tradition is the traditional tent we went to and this is where I got white German sausages which were gluten free, and Weinschorle - a wine and soda mix. It also has incredible traditional dancers who do the most incredible twirling partner dance. Herzkasperl Festzelt is another beautiful traditional tent that has a whip show which is totally cool and has prosecco and half chicken... nom nom nom.

Tip five: Fairy Floss and Roasted Nuts... are Gluten Free

Need a snack? Oktoberfest has got you covered. Gluten free fairy floss and sugar covered almonds were two finds I found that made snacking more fun. Always check with the vendor as they will or should know and if they don't - avoid or munch at your own risk.

Tip six: Half Chickens..... the Best!!!

Half chickens are sooooo good and available everywhere. I found that lots of half chickens were gluten free and the staff often knew whether or not they are gluten free.

Tip seven: The Devil's Wheel

Something I never thought I would do is sit on a rotating wheel clinging to random people and trying hard to stay on. This is the fun of the Devil's Wheel. Introduced to it by Michael, a seasoned professional at Oktoberfest and the wheel, he gave me tips and sent me on my way to try my best to stay on! Now whether you're game or not, entering the Devil's Wheel stadium is unbelievably fun and totally worth it! Even though the commentary is in a heavy Bavarian dialect, you feel like you understand and it is sooooo fun to see people lassoed off a rotating wheel.... it never gets old!

Tip eight: Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots... Everybody

The last place on your gluten free drinking list are the shots tents. With Jager Bombs, this is the place to go if you are wanting to get a bit loose before heading into a big tent where you might have to wait.

Tip nine: Get Some Traditional Outfits.

The best part of going to Oktoberfest is the opportunity to go full out in traditional Bavarian outfits. I choose to take a dirndl from my first venture to Oktoberfest in 2009 and whilst over there bought some lederhosen. It is so much fun dressing up, however just make sure you are respectful and try to be more traditional than costumey as the Bavarian people are so proud of their traditions. Head to C&A or Angermeier to kit up!

Tip ten: Get to a Table Early!

Getting to the festival early will ensure that you get a seat and into a tent. These tents are huge but come 9am on the weekend are bursting at the seams. This means if you and your crew want to sit at some stage you are going to have to work for it and get there early!

Oktoberfest was an absolutely incredible experience! It is definitely a must and even if you are gluten free there is an amazing time to be had!

Happy and safe travels.

Georgia

The Coeliac Adventurer