Wilkommen to Starkbierfest!!! Held at Nockherberg beer garden in München, this lesser-known springtime cousin of Oktoberfest is a celebration of life like no other in the world. A few words and pictures could never do justice to the indescribably joyous experience of being there, but I will give it a try… Prost!
I had the privilege of being perhaps the only “tourist” there, courtesy of the invitation of my friend Frank (yes Frank) who lives in München.
Frank… and the other Frank! 
The people are real… 
The food is real… 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
The beer is real. Starkbier, which comes by the liter, is strong indeed (~7.5% alcohol) and too easy to drink because it tastes SO incredibly good… 
The pretzels are real… and enormous… 
The cameraderie and good-natured fun are real… 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
The dancing is real… 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
Germany-Munich-Starkbierfest 
“Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, … 
Der Gemütlichkeit!!!” 
And nothing can compare to hundreds of tipsy gentlemen in lederhosen and ladies in dirndls standing on the benches, belting out John Denver’s “Country Roads” in English at the top of their lungs with a killer band… an absolutely joyous communion of humanity like no other!
