Roll out the barrel – it’s time for some beer-y good fun! A weekend overflowing with brew-tiful beer, mouthwatering cuisine, and the harmonious notes of lively music – this was the yeast that raised our spirits during our MG team-building trip to Oktoberfest in Munich in 2023. Read on for our unique and exciting team bonding experience…
Our preparations began days earlier when we went in search of Dirndls and Lederhosen, the traditional Bavarian clothing worn by most Oktoberfest visitors.
Lederhosen and leadership – our MG team’s got it all!
Did you know? At Oktoberfest, every sip of beer flows from one of Munich’s renowned breweries: Spaten, Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräuhaus, and Löwenbräu. Each brewery erects its own massive tent, collectively accommodating nearly 120,000 people. The Oktoberfest brew, stronger than typical beer with 6-7% alcohol content, is exclusively served in one-liter mugs!
Our first day led us to a stunning lakeside Seeon-Seebruck, Bayern, where we soaked in the warm, clear weather, basking in the sun’s kisses while waiting for the rest of the team. It was a moment of peace before the Oktoberfest storm, a little sip of serenity amidst the beer chaos.
In the evening, we gathered at the delightful restaurant Harfenwirt, whisking our cultures together and crushing our goals with our international team… Cause the key to a balanced work-life equation is to hit your targets – in and out of the office! That’s how we kicked off our team bonding adventure on a hoppy note!
Saturday dawned with a chorus of “Prost!” as we embarked on a Karaoke battle bus trip to Oktoberfest.
Our first stop was Rischart’s Café Kaiserschmarrn tent, a mecca of cocktails and camaraderie, even if it was missing the beer. The atmosphere was electric, the waitstaff kept spirits high, and the band above the bar had us singing along to well-known hits, setting the perfect mood for our hoppy escapade.
“Our Oktoberfest team building event was a great success: great food, great company, great costumes – I loved my lederhosen! – plus it was great to meet and greet my MG team mates in person. I can’t wait until our Christmas party… Until then, keep calm and prost!” Matthew Elliott, Digital Marketing Specialist (Second right in the above image)
Following this delightful start, we ventured to the Löwenbräu tent, where we’d spend the evening immersed in Bavarian revelry. This tent, accommodating up to 6,000 guests, was noticeably more bustling and vibrant. Inside, a spirited band played a combination of English and German songs, igniting the crowd into a frenzy of merriment. It was a brew-mance to remember!
But Oktoberfest isn’t just about the beer… It’s a carnival of attractions: 
- Traditional Bavarian Music & Dancing
- A Parade with Regional Costumes & Horse-Drawn Beer Wagons
- Over 80 Carnival Rides, including Roller Coasters and Ferris Wheels
- Delicious Food Stalls Offering Everything from Roasted Chicken to Gingerbread Hearts
Our Oktoberfest 2023 experience left us with memories as golden as the finest Bavarian brews. Prost to a team-building adventure we’ll be toasting for years to come!
“It was great to see my Romanian, German & English work colleagues and bond over a stein or two! Oktoberfest was a unique experience and I loved every minute of it! Here’s to the next one!” Lino Lovrić, IT Administrator (third right in the below image)
Until then, it’s time to roll out the barrel for some pint-sized fun Oktoberfest facts! 
Cheers to 7.5 Million Liters! 
Every year, a staggering 7.5 million liters of beer are sipped at Oktoberfest. That’s enough to fill 3 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
The Big Six Sip-a-lot! 
At Oktoberfest, there’s no indecision – choose from the Big Six: Hofbräu, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.
Party People Galore! 
Oktoberfest is the ultimate beer bash, drawing between 5 and 7 million partygoers annually. The record? A hop-tastic 7.1 million in 1987 – talk about an Oktober-fiesta!
Oh, and did you know? 
- Oktoberfest originated in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage between King Ludwig I and Therese
- Oktoberfest is not just a festival; it’s the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) beer festival! Attracting over 6 million visitors who collectively consume more than 7.5 million liters of beer. That’s enough to float a fleet of beer-filled blimps!
- The festival sprawls across a whopping 100 hectares, which is like the size of 140 football fields. It boasts more than 30 beer tents, each with its unique vibe. So, you can sip, sway, and celebrate your way through this beer wonderland!
P.S. Head here to ‘MG Meet’ our Managers & really get to know the person behind the position!
