A Beer Drinkers Guide to Munich
I have to thank my good friend Randy, for lending me this book in 1993 when I made my first trip to Munich. Unlike all the other tour books I have read, Larry Hawthorne, the author, has it right. He wrote the tour book from the perspective of getting to the next beer garden. It is almost as if he knew we needed guidance, wandering around the streets looking for divine intervention.
I highly recommend this book for anyone going to Munich. The "Gang" are all members of Larry's infamous Field Research Team. I carry my ID every where I go. The shirts (yes, there are shirts) have check boxes on the back to identify which Beer Hall you have been to.
Nothing could have been more exciting, than to actually converse with Larry before our trip in 2005 via email (see below). I include the entire thread, so the reader can appreciate the effect he has on mere mortals like us.
[NOTE: Since First Contact, Larry has been in contact with the team to ensure we stay the course, and have the guidance we need. All the best to Larry!!]
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Email exchange in 2005 with Larry Hawthorne (edited for concordance):
It all started with a simple request, a shout up Mount Olympus, if you will:
> From: "Dave Finlay" <dfinlay@xtarari.com>
> Date: 2005/03/02 Wed PM 06:22:48 EST
> To: <larry@xbeerdrinkersguide.com>
> CC: <kvozel@xstampede.com>, <john.lynch@xdigitalcontrols.com>
> Subject: Oktoberfest 2005
>
> Larry-
>
>
>
> As part of the Field Research team, my fellow beer drinker's and I are
> embarking on our 6th (or 7th we can't remember) visit to Munich for
> Oktoberfest. Our guide books are pretty worn, and to be honest, beer
> soaked. Will you be coming out with a 5th edition soon?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave
>
But then the unexpected happened. The clouds split a voice came from on high:
From: usr3204@xbeerdrinkersguide.com
[mailto:usr3204@xbeerdrinkersguide.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 11:07 PM
To: Dave Finlay
Subject: Re: Oktoberfest 2005
Dave,
Yes, glad you asked. Hold on and maintain patience for just a while longer. The fifth edition should hit the street in April.
Larry Hawthorne
Field Research Leader
Wow! He spoke. To me! I was not prepared for this. I could only freely admit my immediate humility:
"Dave Finlay" <dfinlay@xtarari.com>
To:<kvozel@xstampede.com>, <john.lynch@xdigitalcontrols.com>
03/03/2005 02:08 AM
Subject: FW: Oktoberfest 2005
Email from God. Wow.
However, my more experienced friends knew "the speak" and got us covered from a ecumenical point of view:
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Vozel [mailto:kvozel@xstampede.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 5:33 AM
To: Dave Finlay
Cc: john.lynch@xdigitalcontrols.com
Subject: Re: FW: Oktoberfest 2005
Yee Ha ! ! ! !
Ein Prosit to All ! ! ! !
I quickly recovered and uttered the sacred words:
From: Dave Finlay [mailto:dfinlay@xtarari.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 12:36 PM
To: Keith Vozel
Cc: John Lynch
Subject: RE: FW: Oktoberfest 2005
I was amazed to see the response. I feel honored. This year's trip has been blessed. It is a holy excursion now.
Gentlemen, we are on a mission. From the writings of St. George on advising his knights:
"Fear not, brave knights, for your quest is true, hearts pure, and your swords strong. Go forth and bring back the brew."
Or something like that.
Then we started speaking in tongues....
-----Original Message-----
From: John Lynch [mailto:John.Lynch@xDigitalControls.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 9:46 AM
To: Dave Finlay; Keith Vozel
Subject: RE: FW: Oktoberfest 2005
With the addition of the new holy writ, our mission goes forth to provide light (or dark if you prefer) were there was none; to eliminate that which was not eliminated (or was that illuminate?); to bring understanding (of beers and pork product) where none before existed.
Go forth and einfarht!
So sayest the Larry.
We finished in prayer....
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Vozel [mailto:kvozel@xstampede.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 10:08 AM
To: John Lynch
Cc: Dave Finlay
Subject: RE: FW: Oktoberfest 2005
.... and so it was said in passing (not to be confused with the
einfahrt).....
The Beer God himself hast spaketh. Now that the plan is anointed, the
excrement of yeast shalst be consumed as alcohol, giving forth the lite
(just for Jim Dell's sake). The plan will be executed, and it will promote
growth of the girth and agitation of the digestive tract. But all will be
good and the pilgrims will once again descend on the holy land.
Let us pray...
Prosit!