Reunion Party All Set For Jan. 25, 2018

We are going to be having our reunion in Pleasanton area again on January 25, 2018.  Location TBA but save the date.    We will be honored with the visit from our waitress from the tent, Anke Kuhlmann.  We will officially take reservations for 2018 at the reunion.  Everyone is invited to enjoy some German food from Little Red Riding Truck and of course some great German beer.  The debut of the 2017 video will also be highlighted.  This is not limited to just the people who have attended Oktoberfest, but friends and family are also invited.    Prost.

Seven Is The Hacker Meister, HAM17 Winner. Long Overdue!!!

Seven has been enjoying Oktoberfest since his first day entering the Hacker Festzelt in 2007 when he won the ROY07 award.  He then took on the nickname of Seven since he was so proud of his reign.  Seven continues to embrace the "gemutlichkeit" on a daily basis and has that huge smile for everyone.  Inside the tent, you don't have to look far to see Seven (aka VI) stomping on tables, taking his shirt off, and sharing his smile with everyone.  Congratulations, Steve Venema on earning the HAM award as Veteran of the Year 2017.

Devil Dog Ran Away With The ROY 17 Award.. Congrats Shawn Fritz

When one asks, What does it take to win the Rookie of the Year award?"  look no further than this picture.  Devil Dog exhibited the friendliness, joy, respect, and spirit of Oktoberfest from the minute he arrived into the Hacker Festzelt.  He even arrived a day early, so this was a 4 day thrillride for Devil Dog.  His father in law, Mikey O. was a proud peacock as the ROY hat was placed upon Devil Dog's head.  Now he needs to break the news to his wife that he must return in 2018!!!  Good Luck, Shawn and CONGRATULATIONS.

Training is well underway for Ofest 2017

Everything is happening much bigger and faster this year than ever before.  75 guys will be in the Hacker Herren this year.  All sold out on day 1.  The training has begun...

Training with the better halves in Cincinnati.  Cincy is home to the largest Oktoberfest in the USA, but that isn't good enough for Flea (r), Helwig, and Viper(r). They are going overseas for the #1 worldwide event!

Rookies and Vets and beer Oh My!!

Here we go again with Pocket and The Natural... Looking in game shape already

Need we say more???

Mojoe and Hammer getting a hole in one!





Mixing Biz With Pleasure in SF

Training at Altitude... With a Pliney

About to go hunting in Halifax

Training on Opening Day in SF...

Kopenhagen, KBAX, ROY14, and family

Training in Walla Walla, WA

Roy17, Roy16, and Utah in ChiTown

Hacker Herren Set For Biggest Group Ever in 2017- 75 Guys Will Ascend Into The Hacker Festzelt

We will have 49 veterans returning this year along with 26 rookies.   75 Hacker Herren  will rock the tent this year.  It is by far our largest group yet. We will have to break up into two hotels for only the second time in history.  From our humble beginnings where we sat around a bench or two, we will take up an entire section on the floor of the Hacker Festzelt.  We are going to miss two legends who are sitting out this year.  Legacy and Der Stinker won't make it in 2017, but Pudge and Seven will return after a one year hiatus.  Looking forward to another spectacular year.  The training is kicking off as Springtime kicks into full gear and we cruise into summer.  Make sure you share your training pictures.

Oktoberfest 2016 Reunion Party Feb 9 @ Barons Jewelers in Dublin

We relived Oktobefest 2016 with lots of the Hacker Herren from the Bay Area.  We will held it at Barons Jewelers at 7:00pm-10:00 pm.  The Little Red Riding Truck @redridingtruck provided schnitzel and brats for our enjoyment. We had some malted beverages for all to enjoy too. This year we have another great video to watch that Jason Cunningham made for us with all of the pictures that you submitted.  Everyone is welcome, whether you have been to Ofest with us or not.    Yes women are welcome to the reunion party!! Thanks for attending Lauren Metheny!!

2016-Another Great Year in the Hacker Festzelt for the Hacker Herren

Leemo getting anointed ROY16 from Ukey

55 guys from around the USA (and England) descended upon the Hacker Festzelt for three days of fun, brotherhood, and prosting on Sept 22-24, 2016.  The highlight has to be the video below where Vedo chugged 3 masses.  Was there any doubt that he would win the HAM award?  Bad Monkey personalized it with a Navy Seal patch that is extremely prized and revered.  It was a touching ceremony that demonstrated the brotherhood that has developed within the Hacker Herren group. Congrats to Vedo on his award on his 10th year in a row at Oktoberfest with group.   The ROY16 was won by a member of the Midwest Mafia, Mark Leemaster.  Leemo hails from the Midwest Mafia and they were proud to have one of their own take the hat back to Chicago.  Leemo espoused the spirit of friendship and camaraderie throughout his 3 days in Bavarian Heaven.  He is very proud to be the caretaker of the ROY hat for the upcoming year.  We look forward to watching him wear it with pride.  Congrats LEEMO.  Rico and his staff at the Ars Vivendi did another great job making us feel welcome again.  The servers welcomed us with brotherly love when we were with them.  Welcome to the team, Phil and Louis.  The upstairs team on Saturday night of Anke, Tom, and Simon also continue to take great care of the Hacker Herren.  The GM of the tent, Christoph continues to make us feel very welcome inside the tent.  We missed Abdul at the door managing security and Christian "Da Man" Bullert wasn't able to join us, but we still managed to have a great year.  The crowds were a bit down this year due likely to security concerns, but we didn't feel at risk throughout our stay.  Security was in force around the perimeter and ensured everyone was safe throughout.  Thank you to all the guys of the Hacker Herren 2016 for making it another memorable year.  Prost!!  Until 2017..

Vedo's World Famous Chug of 3 Masses (liters) helped earn him HAM 16

Vedo is a LEGEND in the Hacker Festzelt.    He chugged 3 liters back to back to back in 32 seconds.  Men who have been going to Ofest for  more than 40 years swear they have never seen such a feat!  Half of the tent was cheering, "Vedo, Vedo, Vedo!!!  And on top of all of that, Vedo has been with the Hacker Herren every year for 10 straight years.

Hacker Herren Gives Back To The Community-The Joseph House for Veterans

The Hacker Herren not only has fun while at Oktoberfest each year, we also give back to the community. This year we have chosen to support the Joseph House.  www.josephhouse.com
located in Cincinnati, where many of the Midwest Mafia live.  The Joseph House supports homeless veterans.  Check out all the good work they do  www.josephhouse.com

www.josephhouse.com

Pink Is In at Ofest 2016

Summer is here...So training is officially under way. Check out some training pictures

Leemo, Doc, and Utah are getting ready.  Their masses look tasty!

Slàinte training in Dublin, IR with ex-UCLA baseball coach (who formerly shared an office with John Wooden!!)

Goose and Mav kicked off the training season in MUNICH!!!

Blitz getting some training with an admiring audience and a frosty cold one

Mutig is travelling solo this year, but he is still training hard and will be ready!

Doc and Utah look like they are about to start tapering... they are READY FOR OKTOBERFEST!

See no Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil... We know all about these three guys

Hoff and Davey Boy training in Leavenwoth, WA...A Bavarian Town in the USA!!!

Ofest 2016 is SOLD OUT IN ONE DAY!!!

Well... you guys have set the record... We sold out on the first day that we opened up for reservations.  We have sold out in the first week in the past, but never all in the first day.  I guess you guys enjoy the trip, huh?  Thanks for all of your support. We will once again have another great year ahead.  Lots more details to come as we approach Oktoberfest.    Prost!!

Dates for 2016 are Sept 22-24, 2016

The dates for our trip for 2016 will be Sept 22,23,24.  Rico and the staff at Ars Vivendi will be hosting us again for the 7th year in a row.  We will take over the entire hotel again this year so we can only have around 50 spots due to the size of his hotel and the Saturday night reservation that we have at the Hacker Festzelt.

We are going to sell out early again this year.  The reunion is Feb 4, 2016 at Rubino Winery in Pleasanton,  The Evite will go out shortly with all of the details.  We will begin accepting checks at the reunion for 2016 trip.

@ofest_forever on twitter
hackerherren on Instagram

Let me know if you have any questions,

The first check for 2016 has been received!

Schwein Schwert had such a good time with the Hacker Herren that as soon as he returned home, he dropped a payment in to lock in his spot for 2016.  I guess he didn't want to wait until the official date in January when we open up reservations for the 2016 trip.  It got to my home before i did!!  #You think you know...But you have no idea!

Vedo is the worlds fastest beer chugger... And he's a member of the Hacker Herren!!! Prost

Just to show, that you think you know, but you have no idea...  Vedo chugged two liters BACK TO BACK.  I've been going to Oktoberfest for 20 years and I have NEVER seen this pulled off, let alone in 15 seconds!  He had to do it that fast in order to make it Instagramable!!

Mutig Mick wrote a nice letter summarizing his feelings after Oktoberfest 2015

I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how incredibly grateful I am to have been invited in to the Hacker Herren and how much I appreciate all the effort you put in to making this all come together over the past few months.

 One of my favorite comedy troupes, The National Lampoon, once did a skit where a guy was telling a girl (Trying to talk her in to sex) that if all her life she heard how delicious a steak was and never had one, then when finally she tasted steak, no matter how perfect the cut or how well it was cooked, it could never ever live up to her expectations. I have to admit that as a rookie, reading all of the emails, contemplating in my mind how great it sounded and must be, and keeping the Hacker Herren motto in mind; I was having a bit of anxiety as to whether or not I would be a bit disappointed. Wow, was I wrong. It was far better than I could have ever expected! 

 

 In my 51 years I have had some awesome times, visited some amazing places, and thoroughly enjoyed some unique experiences; last week was by far the best yet. Thank you. 

 A couple of the Hacker Herren and I have already made contact via email and will, no doubt, be visiting one another when we visit our respective parts of the Country.

Midwest Mafia Getting Their Training Off To A Great Start In Chicago

When Bad Monkey comes into town, it is a great excuse for a training session.  Fresh off a three day training session at the All Star Game, Bad Monkey led the boys through their paces in the Windy City.

Training Is In Full Swing Around The USA for Oktoberfest 2015 With The Hacker Herren

The Steinys are the only family with two ROYs.  Will the Vondys or Dickinsons join this elite club?

The Natural and Pocket think they don't need their drinking shoes during training

Doc's lederhosen will be broken in by Ofest 2015.  Spilled beer and brat smoke is good for the seasoning

On looks alone, one of you will win ROY 15!!!

Nice Start Mav!!  

Tampa...Look out!!!  Norski and Wild Bill are training in your town!

Obviously the Rookie will remove the orange slice if he wants any chance at ROY 15

See... a quick learner

Video from security cameras at Hotel 2013

Closed Circuit video from Hotel 2013 ck out 3:00 and 9:00 marks. Click here to view

Here is the star of the video... Rabbit!!

Hacker Herren 2014 Video

Hacker Herren Oktoberfest 2014 video highlight click to view