The One and Only Original Oktoberfest {AGAIN}!!!!
To spare everyone the task of doing research on looking up the origins of the original OKTOBERFEST, I did the research for you: And also so you do not have to scroll through older posts to find it, I am going to repost my OKTOBERFEST origin story. So read on fellow beer geeks and enjoy!!!!!!
Well
fellow beer snobs, it is that time of year again. The wonderful time of year to
celebrate the coming of autumn, Halloween, and the colder weather. What
better way to celebrate this time then with an selection of fine fall brews at
an Oktoberfest celebration. That is the best way I can think of to ring in the
season!!!!!!
Now
of course, if you can make it to Germany (the birthplace of the Oktoberfest)
then more power to you. If not, throw one of your own parties. All you really
need is some good friends, good food, and a great selection of
Oktoberfest beers.
Munich,
Germany is THE home of the celebrated event of the fall season. Started in
1810, it is a 16 day festival that starts towards the end of September and runs
through the first week of October. The festival attracts more then 6 million
locals and tourists every year and it keeps on getting bigger. With carnival
rides, games, mountains of food, and of course rivers of beer (in 2007 nearly 7
million liters of the golden liquid were consumed), it is definitely one of the
biggest parties in Europe. Originally, the festival ran through the first
Sunday in October, however, with the reunification of Germany in 1994, the
schedule was altered a bit and now the festival culminates on October 3rd (and a perfect day to post this article!!!!!!) which
is German Unity Day.
Started
in 1810, the first party was actually for the wedding of King Ludwig to his new
Queen Theresa. Held in what was know as "Theresa's Gardens" (and
still is), all of the citizens were invited to attend. In the years that
followed, an agricultural show was added as well as horse racing to promote
German culture. The annual opening kick off parade which started in 1850,
has roughly 8,000 marchers all dressed in traditional German costumes, is one
of the highlights of the entire event. One new tradition that started in 1950
was the tapping of the first keg. At 12:00PM, the mayor taps the keg which is
accompanied by a 12 gun salute. That is respect for the brew!!!!!!!!!
Traditional
German food is always served which includes, Hendl (roast chicken),
Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch
(grilled fish on a stick), Knodel (potato or bread dumplings), and
Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes). You will also find the assortment of sausages,
krauts, and Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda which is a spiced cheese-butter
spread.
STOP: HOLD ON: Now
this is a very important fact. Only beer that is brewed in Munich and which
conforms to the Reinheitsgebot
may be served in the tents at Oktoberfest. What is the Reinheitsgebot?
This important (and hard to pronounce - if you do not speak German)
word is the Purity Order of Bavaria. Sometimes referred to as the
German Purity Order, it is a regulation of the production of beer in the Holy
Roman Empire. Instated in 1487 by Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria, this order
stated that beer could only be made with 3 ingredients: Water, barley, and
hops. The order was passed to keep the other grains available (such as wheat
and rye) so they could be used for baking bread, and thus not have a shortage
and a spike in bakery prices. We Germans do like to drink!!!!!!!
The
brewers that can produce beer under this order are Paulaner, Spatenbrau, Lowenbrau, Hacker Schorr-Brau, and Augustiner-Brau. These
beers will be the only beer that one will find being served at Oktoberfest. Any
of these fine beers pair very well with the German cuisine that is served. Or
if one prefers, they can always skip the food to save more room for the liquid
diet. Although, that could have some very intoxicating effects which are
accelerated.
While
I have never been to Munich for Oktoberfest, I was fortunate enough to attend
the Oktoberfest in Dublin (hey, the Irish drink like fish too!!) on the
Docklands 4 years ago. Judging by how insanely fun and festive that was (once
again the Irish) I can only imagine Munich is escalated by a factor of 100.
This is one party that is definitely on my bucket list. Munich
AND ESPECIALLY the beer tent better be ready for me when I arrive.
So
get ready to throw back a couple of Oktoberfest brews and have a great time.
AND ONCE AGAIN
AND ONCE AGAIN
Loosen your LEDERHOSEN and unstrap your DIRNDLS and get out to an OKTOBERFEST!! And as always, RAISE A PINT OF ALE (well this time a GERMAN LAGER) AND ENJOY!!!!!!!!
CHEERS
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