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Getting ready for Oktoberfest
The original Oktoberfest took place in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. After missing a few years for the Napoleonic War the town fathers took over the festival to run it annually starting in 1819. Except for some exceptional circumstances (cholera in 1854 and 1873, various wars) it has been held every year ever since.
Beer has always been central to the festival, and in recent times has entertained upwards of six million visitors. The festival is opened with the tapping of the first keg and only local Munich brewers create and sell the special Oktoberfest beer. In spite of the name, the festival has often been more at the end of September, although recently the last week of the festival has been in October. The 2006 Oktoberfest is from September 16 to October 3.
Other festivals around the world have sprung up inspired by the original, but none comes close to its greatness. Additionally, a large number of craft brewers offer up their own versions of the Oktoberfest “style”. Those beers will be hitting the shelves of your retailer right about now.
Unfortunately, I’ve never been privileged to travel to Bavaria to experience Oktoberfest first-hand. Having kids, and travel being as expensive as it is, I don’t have any hopes of getting there before I retire. But I can certainly enjoy the specialty beer offered by brewers and celebrate the spirit of the festival.
Personally, I am a great fan of the Oktoberfest from Brooklyn Brewery. One of my brothers is, too, and always makes sure he buys at least two cases every fall to keep in his private stash. Samuel Adams also offers up a more-than-respectable version of Octoberfest. I also became quite fond of the “OktoberFish” from Flying Fish but they no longer make it available in bottles. I may need to journey up to New Jersey just to find a bar with it on tap.
Of course, we’re always looking for new beers to try. What are your favorite Oktoberfest beers? Let us know in the comments.
See also:
Oktoberfest from Wikipedia
The official Oktoberfest site
About the author
Forty-something, married, with two kids. I generally prefer the English styles - ESB, IPA - but am willing to try just about anything. You can reach me at al@hop-talk.com.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Al on September 12, 2006 at 3:41 PM, and is filed under Beer, Events, History, Styles. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 3 years ago
So far I haven’t been able to taste many this year. I have tasted Sam Adams and as you said it was pretty respectable, however I ended up enjoying the local (for me) St. Arnolds Octoberfest brew more.
about 3 years ago
I will have to look for a distributer with St. Arnolds, I’d love to try it. I have some reviews of Oktberfest beers coming up.
Thanks for the feedback.
about 3 years ago
Any word on Dogtoberfest from Flying Dog? http://www.flyingdogales.com/beer-dogtober.asp
I’ve yet to try it myself, but would like to. Perhaps another brewery tour is in order.
about 3 years ago
No, but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it. Since Flying Dog bought the local Frederick Brewing, I’ve seen a lot more of their beers around. I’ve never had that one.