Oktoberfest
22 Oct, 12 / 
After reading that, you probably thought beer, pretzels, and lederhosen. And, you would be correct in thinking so; Oktoberfest does in fact include beer, pretzels, and even the occasional lederhosen.
Oktoberfest: This giant celebration started out as a giant celebration in 1810, honoring the matrimony of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Germany. The couple has such a good time at their own party, they decided to host the same celebration every year! Once a festival, always a festival; now, Oktoberfest is the largest in the world, hosting millions of visitors for the 16 day event. While Oktobervest remains a cultural event with its customary food and layout, the festival is very much about the beer, and not just any beer, but Oktoberfest beer.
Oktoberfest beer, aside from the title, emerges in the fall because it is a much heavier beer. Different malts and cooking methods makes the beer darker and heavier, and while it has a nice blend, is too heavy for the summer months. Thus, with the changing of the leaves and the drop in temperature, we begin to stock Oktoberfest beer in the fridge.
Over the last 15 years, Oktoberfest beers have become a autumn essential; many beer companies, like Yuengling, have started to produce their own Oktoberfest beers to keep up with the craze. Sam Adams Oktoberfest was really the first domestic beer to produce the heavier blend, and, thus, remains an all time favorite. At Southern Spirits, we have a huge selection of Oktoberfest beers, including the more well known brands—like Sam Adams—to lesser, but equally as delicious brands—like Stoudts.
We all envy that college roommate who went to Oktoberfest the Fall semester they were abroad. But why not throw your own Oktoberfest?! The beer, the pretzels, even the Lederhosen —you can have it all. While we’d all love to visit the real festival, hosting your own allows you to create your own October traditions, while enjoying those of the German festival.
Here are some great ideas on how to get started.
Beer:
Let’s begin with the most important essential component.
Sam Adams Oktoberfest: Samuel Adams Oktoberfest fest is “brewed with five varieties of malted barley,” to create a, deep, rich flavor. It has a reddish-amber color, reflecting both the tone of the beer and the season. It is Southern Spirits most popular Oktoberfest beer.
Stouds Oktoberfest: Stouds is a “medium-bodied amber beer,” that combines a “touch of malty sweetness with a pleasing subtle aromatic hop character.” A less well-known beer, but comes highly recommended from Southern Spirits.
New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale: This ale combines “malted barley and real pumpkin,” as well a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg to make a “delicious and inventing brew.” Though this is not an Oktoberfest beer, it is very “Oktober,” and a delicious alternative.
Remember, dink responsibly, you don’t want to end up as a bierleichen, (translation— beer corpse).
Costumes:
The traditional German dress for boys was the Lederhosen. As Halloween is approaching, finding one at a Halloween Express or online should not be a problem. (Maybe that roommate has one…) And ladies, that “Swiss Miss” costume is actually called a Dirndl.
Food:
Here are some great German influenced recipes for your Oktoberfest.
Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Raisins
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/06/braised-red-cabbage-with-apples-and-raisins-recipe.html
Pretzels
http://www.pinkbites.com/2009/10/pretzels.html
Warm German Potato Salad
http://www.themeaningofpie.com/2011/07/warm-german-potato-salad/
Apple Strudel
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=6985424
Music:
If you want to keep to the Oktoberfest tradition, by all means, let the Bavarian music play. We can’t guarantee any instantaneous dance parties…
Even if we never make it to Germany to experience the real Oktoberfest, the beauty of the celebration is its inclusiveness; not only are people around the world invited to celebrate, but the festival lends itself, and its traditions, to all of us to recreate. We have the beer, we have the food, and we have the friends. Even in America, we have the essential ingredients for a fantastic Oktoberfest!
Photos from Time Magazine
