The Rookie of the Year Award will now be called "The Ronnie"

In honor of our good friend and Rookie of the Year in 2006 Ronnie Mimran, we have renamed the Rookie of the Year award, "The Ronnie."  To commerate this, we've created a new green hat that will stay with Ronnie at his home as a symbol of this honor.  An identical hat will be embroidered each year with the name of "The Ronnie" winner.  Prost to Ronnie and to many more years of friendship and "gemutlichkeit!"

Father and Son win the HAM and ROY 24!!

 

Dee and Cowboy earned our two coveted awards this year. Dee was the HAM and Cowboy won the ROY award.  Cowboy sang every song at the top of his lungs and made friends all around.  Dee hasn't missed Ofest since he joined the Hacker Herren in 2007!  Prost and congratulations to Daryl and Jordan Sequeira

Mini Naval Academy Reunion at Ofest 24

 Thanks to the eight guys from USNA '95 who attended Ofest 2024 with the Hacker Herren.  What a great group of men.  I'm so proud to have them as a huge part of the Hacker Herren.

Fathers and Sons bond together at Ofest 24

 We had 40 dads and sons attend together in 2024.  This has become a great bonding experience for so many fathers and sons.  We've even had 3 generations attend with the Hacker Herren, just not all at the same time (yet!).

Training for Ofest 24 in Chicago at Cubs game

From the Wrigley Rooftops. Thanks to Roy 10, Nick Demchenko for sponsoring this event

A few pregame beers at Murphys Bar

What's better than taking a scooter with a rookie to the next bar?  What could possibly go wrong?

Great evening at Prost Bar to finish things up

Bay Area Reunion with 45 guys was a great time! Some oldtimers and some rookies...

Ever been to a party with over 100 people and you don't know a single soul? Meet Andy "Ash" Ashley ROY 23

Ash arrived at ORD to go to Oktoberfest with over 100 guys that he doesn't know because he's heard from Todd Bauman what a great group of guys this is. Todd's passport expires soon so the airline won't let him board the plane. This doesn't stop Ash, he decides to go to the party with the Hacker Herren anyways. So, now Ash doesn't know even one person when he boards the plane. He immediately makes friends on the flight over as some of the Hacker Herren are also on the flight. Next, he arrives in the tent and starts making friends immediately. His smile is infectious. His tattoos are numerous. And the number of friends he made during the three days exceeds 100!! He ran around one day wearing a chicken suit trying to make new friends and bring them into the Hacker Festzelt to enjoy the Hacker Herren. This shows the big spirit of "gemutlichkeit" that he clearly understands and embraces. Wear the hat with pride, Ash. You deserve it! Congratulations

HAM Award goes to Chris "Pudge" Seams

Pudge was an easy choice for all to win the Hackermeister (HAM) Award for 2023. This is the Veteran of they Year award. Pudge has been coming to Ofest for nearly 20 years. He has had a great time bringing his two sons for multiple years. The great humor that he shares with the guys during the Award Ceremony each year is a highlight that we all look forward to. And on top of all this, he has to try to contain Seven each year. Congrats, Pudge. Wear the vest with pride.

Hacker Herren featured on "The Next Level" podcast with host Jon Sanchez copy and paste the link

https://vimeo.com/teamperformanceinstitute/kenbloom?share=copy

Training continues... We will be ready for Oktoberfest 2023!!

Training has begun for Oktoberfest 2023

 

Midwest Mafia training at Bad Monkey's farm

MoJoe, Blackout and Bad Monkey on the course

Moonshot and Bubba training hard

Moonshot, Big Country, and Leemo look like they've enjoyed a few

Frank the Tank, Hoff, Tucker, and Sparky

Roscoe, Buffel,Lefty, Champ, Lonster, Legacy, Hoff, Jay, and Andrew Alberts

Bruce and Prinzess looking beautiful at Phil's wedding

Bruce, Prnizess, Phil and his bride, and David.  

FAQ's for Hacker Herren Rookies in 2024

Hacker Herren Rookie FAQ’s

·         What are the dates of the trip in 2024?

o   We will be in the tents on Sept 26,27,28 2024

·         Where is Oktoberfest?

o   Located in the center of Munich near Theresenwiese U Bahn station

• Where do we stay ?
• Hotel Seibel directly across the street from Oktoberfest. It is the CLOSEST HOTEL to the beer tents!!!
  

• Hotel Seibel Muenchen
  Theresienhoehe 9
  D-80339 Muenchen

  Phone: +49 (0)89 / 540 14 2-0
  

  E-Mail: info@seibel-hotels.de

·       

·         What is covered if i go with the Hacker Herren??

o   3 nights at hotel walking distance to Oktoberfest grounds 9/26,7,8, including breakfast each day

o   Reservation on Saturday night in the tent and entrance on Thursday and Friday to the best location in the Hacker Festzelt tent-right next to the band

o   Vouchers for  dinner and beer on Saturday night plus other beer vouchers

o   3 shirts plus other schwag to be enjoyed during your trip

o   3 nights VIP service that is not available to the public. The relationships inside the tent with the staff is only available with >30 years worth of relationships. Cannot buy this

o    30 years of experience making sure your entire Ofest experience is simple, easy ,fun

·         What other costs am I likely to incur?

o   Flights generally cost around $1800 roundtrip to Munich.  You make these on your own
o   Food and beer and incidentals  about $100-$150/day which you pay on your own
-Lederhosen are mandatory.  They generally cost around $125-$150 +  and can be found online in many locations.

When should I plan to arrive?

o   It is recommended that you arrive as early as possible on Thursday 9/26 or the day before to help with jetlag.  But you will need to make your own hotel reservation if you plan to arrive early.

·         When should I plan to depart MUC?

o   After noon on 9/29. Early flights are not recommended.  You will need sleep

·         If I am making a longer European trip out of this, should I go to Europe before Ofest or after?

o   We recommend that you arrive into Europe PRIOR to Ofest so that you can get over your jetlag while enjoying London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome or anywhere else you desire

·         What is a typical day at Oktoberfest

o   The main group will be inside the Hacker Pschorr Festzelt tent all day from 10am-10:30pm.  Food is available inside the tent and it is really good. You can also walk around the Oktoberfest grounds (like the county/state fairgrounds) and pick up food.  We will get pizza or doner kebabs at the end of each night. It is just across the street from the tents and next door to our hotel.  Saturday we have reservations beginning at 6pm so you can sleep in

o   There are huge carnival rides, games, food, and people watching to allow you to take a break when needed throughout the day. Because you are with our group, wearing our shirts you will be able to get in and out of the tent throughout the day. Other people can not get back in once they leave the tent.

o   Typically we do a Munich bike ride on Saturday morning or some other touristy thing to see a bit of Munich which allows you to tick off the box for "seeing Munich"

Hacker Herren Reunion Parties Are Set!

 The Hacker Herren reunion season is coming in January.  We will all get together in Pleasanton and in Chicago.  All are encouraged to come on by and have a German beer and food.    We will be at McKays in Pleasanton on Jan 15 @ 6:00pm.  This event will be highlighted by a visit from the General Manager of the Hacker Festzelt, Christoph Hofherr!!  He and his wife are on vacation during this time,
and they are going to join us for an evening as they tour the West!  This will be a great opportunity to say hello to Christoph and Mrs Hofherr in a more chill environment vs. the chaos of the Hacker Festzelt.

Then a few days later we will return to Prost Bar in Lincoln Park, Chicago.  The Midwest team will come from Chicago, Cincy, and beyond, I'm sure.  Prost is a great German bar that hosted us for our last training session prior to Ofest 22.  They have very good food and of course a nice selection of German beers in a great environment. 

Can you join us?   Prost!

The Hacker Herren were featured on the #1 TV station in Germany.

 ARD TV and BR24 online featured the Hacker Herren on their #1 news sites in Germany.  The video was watched by millions live on TV and 100's of thousands online. The comments were very positive about the friendliness of the group and were impressed that we raised $25k for our waiters and staff during Coronavirus times.  Next year they plan to come visit us again and do a live shot with us from the Wiesn.  Prost to Nicole Reman and ARD TV for doing this story on the Hacker Herren.

And at the 1:20 mark of this video, you see Jill Meyer, the Chamber of Commerce leader from Cincinnati being interviewed.  She is now an official Hacker Herren as she enjoyed the festivities with us throughout our trip along with her team member, Spencer Mapes.  Thanks to Spencer and Jill for joining in with us and learning about the official Oktoberfest. I'm sure they will take some of the fun back to their awesome Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in the future.  Prost!

Duke was tied to the yardarm but still took away the big title of ROY 22!!

 If anyone epitomizes the spirit of Oktoberfest and shared the gemutlichkeit that defines Oktoberfest it is Mike (Duke) Carpentier.  Duke was the friendliest guy in the tent.  He met everyone, had funny stories to share, was there from opening to closing each day (and two days before!!) .  He really embraced the spirit of the Hacker Herren and loved being a part of the group.  When he broke out the bandana and one eyed glasses, the inner pirate in him came shining through.  Maybe next year he will take along his trusted partner, Salty the Parrot!  Prost, Duke and congrats on ROY22. See you in '23.

Davey Boy spread gumutlichkeit throughout the HackerFestzelt and won the Hackermeister award (HAM) for Veteran of the Year!!

 Davey Boy had his best year yet.  The guys all recognized him for having a great smile and spreading the Hacker Herren love throughout the group and the entire tent and beyond. He was up early and out late with that huge smile.  Continuing the party even after the Wiesn was closed while enjoying a Rum and Coke with Blitz along with his doner sandwich.  Congrats, Davey Boy. I'm sure Frannie is very proud of you.  Can't wait until the grandkids are 21!!!

Oktoberfest 2022 is ON!!!

 The Lord Mayor announced that Oktoberfest will happen in 2022 as originally planned.  This should be a Wiesn as normal Oktoberfest.  There will not be any restrictions.  We have over 100 guys joining our group this year.  First time we will be over 100 people.  Not sure how we will pull it off, but I do know that we will pull it off.  We have such a great group of veterans/leaders that we will ensure all the guys have a great trip.  We will be staying 61 people at Ars Vivendi and 40 people at Hotel Seibel.  All the rookies will be at the Ars Vivendi.

We are working on the schwag with @dencoincorporated again this year.  We will be looking good again with our custom shirts.  

This year we will be hosting two members from the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. It'll be their first visit to Oktoberfest Munich. Amazing that they do such a great job putting on the largest Oktoberfest in USA, but never have been to Munich Ofest. They will have a great time.  They did a great job hosting us last year when we had our Oktoberfest on US Soil for the first time.  

Hopefully you will begin training early so that we don't miss a step once we arrive in Munich this year.  

Prost and stay tuned!

The Mayor of Cincinnati proclaimed Sept. 17, 2021 Hacker Herren Day in Cincinnati!!!

We were welcomed with open arms to the city of Zinzinnati on our trip to the World's largest Oktoberfest, 2021.  The city was very happy to host the Hacker Herren and presented us with a beautiful, leather bound proclamation stating that Sept. 17, 2021 will forever be known as Hacker Herren Day!!  We were humbled and flabbergasted by this honor from the Mayor of Cincinnati, the honorable John Cranley.

 

ROY21 is Thumper!!! Our new world champion!!!

Michael Metheney, AKA Thumper became an instant legend when he entered the Barrel Rolling contest at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati and immediately set a new world's record in the event.  Then when he got edged out by Vido by a fraction of a second in a chug off, he was immediately the favorite to win Rookie of the Year 2021.  His kindness and friendliness to all he met and his huge smile sealed the deal.  He really embraced the spirit of Oktoberfest and exhibited the gemutlichkeit that charachterizes the ROY award. He will wear the coveted green hat for the next year.  Congrats, Thumper!

 

HackerMeister 2021 is Mitch-a-Palooza Mitch Weiss

 Mitch has been a legend in the Hacker Herren for 13 straight years.  Through the birth of his son to the ascension to HAM, We are all so proud of Mitch-a-Palooza!  He's a worthy holder of the prestigious HAM vest!