Oktoberfest Castle

Hi. Lynn Louise Says set up a bier tent. A Bier Tent might be a fun way to get everyone in the mood (and keep your party from being rained out!). Decorate the tent with Blue and White banners to give it an authentic look. If you don’t want to set up a tent… how about re-creating a Biergarten? Tables with benches on either side make the space feel like Germany. You can cover the tables with a blue and white checked cloth, and even some fun centerpieces. Be sure to hang a sign or two!

Beer Drinks: Bowle, Radler etc. You don’t have to spend a king’s ransom. A few select touches are enough to create a Renaissance feel. For instance, put up wooden or parchment signs with calligraphy that say, “Pub,” or “Dining Hall,” and “Privy,” to direct guests to the appropriate rooms and use only candlelight. Hang tapestries or large swatches of colorful brocade fabrics. The term Kneipe typically refers to a pub that does not serve hot food, which is the predominant rule for pubs in German-speaking Europe. Pubs that do serve hot food are more likely to be referred to as Wirtschaft or Lokal, although they may also be called Kneipe. Speisesaal is dining hall and privy/toilet is Garderobe in German .

If you’re going to party like it’s 1599 you’re going to need music to match. Renaissance music covers a couple of hundred years so you have plenty of latitude if you’re striving for authenticity. However, instrumental Celtic music will also work fine or simply put on the “Game of Thrones” soundtrack. A Medieval Music Cd would be fun for music to start the party with, and then after your guests arrive move the music toward regular party music – tunes you and your friends will love. These are often songs that you would have listened to as a teenager or in college. Everyone enjoys listening to music that they are familiar with!

Keep in mind that food was simple and hearty — and silverware wasn’t really a thing. Set out plenty of finger foods such as turkey legs, cheese slices, and bread, and keep the ale, wine, and cider flowing.

Hire someone (or ask a couple of friends) to dress up as nights and have a jousting match or sword fight! Jousting (loser is put in the stocks), sword fights.

Have Renaissance Dancing available. Hire a couple that can do a demonstration and teach a quick lesson, or learn about it (visit your library) and show your guests how to do it.

, Best costume prize, crown the king and queen of the night. Medieval quizzes: 20 Questions Pick one person to go first. That person will think of a German Oktoberfest or Castle item, dance, king, castle name etc. Everyone else will ask yes or no questions about what or who they are; they have 20 chances to guess, or the other person wins. Whoever guesses correctly can win a prize, or be the next to answer questions. FYI Weihenstephan Abbey (Kloster Weihenstephan) was a Benedictine monastery in Weihenstephan, now part of the district of Freising, in Bavaria, Germany. Brauerei Weihenstephan, located at the monastery site since at least 1040, is said to be the world's oldest continuously operating brewery.