Bavaria loves princesses, emperesses, and queens, especially Princess Therese Charlotte Luise Friederike Amalie von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, or simply Therese, who married Bavarian King Ludwig I in 1810 and became queen. Oktoberfest is the traditional celebration of that marriage.

Bavarians adore Sisi. Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, or Empress Sisi, was born in Munich and raised near Lake Starnberg and therefore holds a special place in the Bavarian’s collective heart. Sisi was groomed for bigger things which she accomplished when she married Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph I when she was only 16. Considered Europe’s most beautiful woman, she was also its best woman horse rider. Her life and death are celebrated all across Bavaria and Austria.

The mere mention of the name “Sisi” is sure to turn heads from any of the locals.

But one need not be such a queen of Bavaria or the Habsuburg’s monarchy to get the old Lederhosen and Dirndl crowd going. There are queens for everything! Bavaria has an Asparagus Queen, a Potato Queen, a Honey Queen, and yes, of course, a Milk Queen! All are in great demand for the local folks’ festivals that take place in the warmer, wetter months.

None can compare, however, to the Beer Queen! Beer is so important in this neck of the woods that not only does Bavaria have a Queen of Beers (Take that, Budweiser, “the King of Beers”, haw!), but Bavaria also has a Hops Queen! Now that’s pretty specific!

If only there was a Dairy Queen.