Well, fall has finally come out here in the West. We went from heat over 100 to unseasonably cool in the Sixties and Seventies. Even had to turn up the hot water heater for those wake-up morning showers. But a bit east from the Bay Area, it’s a time to celebrate. In Munich, it’s Oktoberfest – the party of all parties!
In a column a year ago, I offered a glimpse into what makes it the event that draws folks from around the world. But I didn’t share any art with you. So, a bit late, but I’m ready to share now! And I’ll update some of the information as well.
Now one of the funniest moments in Munich for the 2001 Oktoberfest came while walking from our hotel to the Theresienwiese. We’ve come all the way from California, in search of good German “bier”, only to find the locals prefer Budweiser. Not the beer brewed just up the road from us in Fairfield on Interstate 80! No, this “Bud” comes from a several thousand miles closer than that.
“Budweiser” from the Czech Republic. It’s still gotta be better than ours…
Here’s the object for which we made this pilgrimage. Augustiner’s “Oktoberfest” bier. No, I didn’t drink them all myself, though they were certainly good enough that I was tempted to…
Yes, that is a full liter. But it’s sooooooo tasty…
Especially with a good wurst, sauerkraut and local bread for lunch!
The Deutsches Bahn offer travelers tips and advice on visiting the Oktoberfest, but no suggestions on who offers the best “bier”.
The Augustiner-Brau tent! More like a festival hall than a tent any day!
The interior of the Lowenbrau tent, complete with the bandstand with live music all day and night – or until 11 p.m. when things close down for the night.
Be glad you don’t have to wash all of these glasses!
And they do stop people from walking out with one – they are not “free”!
The Ochsenbraterei tent, serving Spatenbrau, and yes, roasted ox!
Now this would help sales at Disney’s California Adventure!
You’re not seeing things. This is a “Beer-Go-Round”.
Stand, drink and go around in a circle until the inevitable occurs…
Now if you can’t make the journey to Munich, you can have Munich come to you. Beverages and More offers the following German Oktoberfest Beers for sale on their web pages:
- Hacker-Pschorr
- Paulaner
- Spaten
Be warned that these “bier’s” are popular sellers right now and that they might be temporarily out of stock, but more are soon to arrive direct from Munich.
Augustiner and Hofbrau or H.B. are the other Munich brewers that produce the “official” Oktoberfest beer, but it is hard to find them on sale here in the United States.
Another way to enjoy the spirit of Oktoberfest is to enjoy one of many local events around the United States. I know I will be taking in this year’s edition of Oktoberfest-By-The-Bay here in San Francisco. It runs October 14 through 17. Spaten is the Oktoberfest beer of choice here, although other German beers are also available on tap. Lot’s of great food, music and “ Gemütlichkeit”!
A Google search<> offers links to other Oktoberfest events across the country, and around the world. Canada’s Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest claims to be the largest Bavarian festival outside of Germany, running for nine days this year, from October 8th through 16th. Cincinnati claims the title of the biggest U.S. event with Oktoberfest-Zinzinnatti having been held several weeks ago on September 18 and 19. Check the search results for one near you!
Now Disney gets into the act year-round with Oktoberfest every night at EPCOT’s German Pavilion and the Biergarten restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet with appropriate live music to keep you entertained. My visit in 1999 was in late April, but we enjoyed lots of Beck’s Dark. Well, I had at least two mass krug’s, and lots good food, including great desserts.
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kicks off today and runs until November 14 th. Last year’s event did include some German events to commemorate Oktoberfest, sponsored by Lowenbrau, including the traditional tapping of the keg. Check the link for more details on this year’s events.
Next week, I’ll be back with a few views from the EPCOT Biergarten, and a few other goodies, so stop by then!
I’m still here pushing the American Red Cross for your consideration at the end of my column. There are one heck of a lot of people they continue to help on a daily basis all over the world right now. If you can share something, now is still a really good time to do so.