 |
| PROST! Oktoberfest 2015 at Engine 15 Brewing ... Having a Maẞ |
Is there any more festive time of year in the beer world than OKTOBERFEST?
The original German Oktoberfest happens each year in Munich during the last two weeks of September through the first weekend of October, and is host to over 6 million revelers each year. This year, the 183rd celebration runs September 17 - October 3. If you aren't attending the "Wiesn" (German for "meadow") this year, don't get your shorts all in a bunch. We also celebrate it here in the U.S. So, grab your lederhosen and dirndls because everyone's German during Oktoberfest!
The Oktoberfest celebration isn't just about the beer (really?). It's an integral part of German history, and we can thank Bavaria's King Maximilian Joseph for it. In 1810, the King threw a two-day festival to celebrate the wedding of his son, Crown Prince Ludwig, to Princess Therese. The event offered free beer and free food at several Munich locations, along with a horse race at a racing ground which later became known as Theresienwiese. And, behold, a tradition was born! To this day, the mayor of Munich taps the first keg at noon on the first day of Oktoberfest along with the proclamation "O'zapft is!" ("it is tapped"), and the revelry begins.
Now, what about the beer? Alongside all of that pumpkin beer (the ones that began their invasion as the 4th of July fireworks finale hit the last boom), the "Oktoberfest" or "Octoberfest" beers, also generally described as "Märzen" or "Festbier," also quietly made their way to the shelves. The name "Oktoberfest" is an appellation in Germany, and under the applicable laws of Germany and the EU, only those beers brewed by the large breweries within the Munich city limits can be served at the Oktoberfest and are allowed to use "Oktoberfest" for the beer (Augustinerbräu München, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu). At this year's Munich fest, those breweries will be pouring beer at 14 tents holding about 98,000 seats!
While the styles of Märzen and Oktoberfest (lagers) have, in the past, largely been deemed the same under the style guidelines, the revised 2015 BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) Guidelines distinguish the two. Typically, an Oktoberfest/Märzen is malty, sweet and amber-to-light brown in color. Over the years, however, the German Oktoberfest renditions have taken on a lighter, more golden color, mostly in response to consumer sentiment and the movement toward a "lighter, more drinkable" version (or, said another way, more "poundable," according to the comments by the Paulaner brewer in the BJCP guidelines). So, now, as far as official BJCP "styles" go, and in recognition of the protected Oktoberfest name in Germany, the "Festbier" is the golden version with a strong malty flavor alongside a lightly toasty and softly sweet character. The "Märzen" is the amber-to-light brown type, also with a malty sweetness and rich, toasty, bready flavor. The ABV and IBUs are roughly the same (5.8-6.3% and 18-24/25, respectively). The US-brewed "Oktoberfest" types are generally in the Märzen styles.
For
purposes of education and demonstration, and because visual learning has
been shown to be effective (trust me), consider the following: No matter which version of the seasonal beer
you enjoy, drink it in the traditional Maß ("Mass"), or mug,
typically a one-liter vessel with a handle (as shown at top of page). Or, add to your festivities by filling your one-liter German Boot (as shown here). And,
in case you were wondering about the English-Metric conversions, one liter is
just a bit over a quart (which is 32 oz., or two 16 oz. pints).
These are some of my favorite styles of beer, and I am looking ahead to attending a few Oktoberfest celebrations. I don't know about you, but I've already had a few of the Oktoberfest/Festbier/Märzen beers from both German and American brewers this season (don't wait too long, or they'll be gone).
Which brings me to Oktoberfest in Florida! Like I said, to do this right, you need to get in the spirit of things, so make sure your wardrobe includes lederhosen, a dirndl, some golden braided hair, or at least an Oktoberfest Bavarian Alpine hat!
 |
| How about a stein? |
Now, what about the beer? Alongside all of that pumpkin beer (the ones that began their invasion as the 4th of July fireworks finale hit the last boom), the "Oktoberfest" or "Octoberfest" beers, also generally described as "Märzen" or "Festbier," also quietly made their way to the shelves. The name "Oktoberfest" is an appellation in Germany, and under the applicable laws of Germany and the EU, only those beers brewed by the large breweries within the Munich city limits can be served at the Oktoberfest and are allowed to use "Oktoberfest" for the beer (Augustinerbräu München, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu). At this year's Munich fest, those breweries will be pouring beer at 14 tents holding about 98,000 seats!
 |
| Oktoberfest at Green Room Brewing 2015 |
 |
| German Beer Boot: Beware the toe! |
These are some of my favorite styles of beer, and I am looking ahead to attending a few Oktoberfest celebrations. I don't know about you, but I've already had a few of the Oktoberfest/Festbier/Märzen beers from both German and American brewers this season (don't wait too long, or they'll be gone).
Which brings me to Oktoberfest in Florida! Like I said, to do this right, you need to get in the spirit of things, so make sure your wardrobe includes lederhosen, a dirndl, some golden braided hair, or at least an Oktoberfest Bavarian Alpine hat!
And, how about some pretzels, bratwursts, sauerkraut, schnitzel and German potatoes! Did someone say beer games? Stein-holding competitions, roll the barrel, carry the wench? Jawohl! So, grab your glassware of choice and your lager, get oompah'd, and check out some of these happenings around North Florida. There's a fest or celebration happening near you!
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Der Gemutlichkeit. Eins, zwei, drei, G'Suffa! (Guess you have to be there to appreciate that.....) And, if you just can't wait til 2017, the 184th German Oktoberfest takes place September 16 - October 3.
AROUND JACKSONVILLE/NORTH FLORIDA:
9/17:
9/17:
9/23:
9/24:
9/30-10/1:
9/30:
10/1:
10/1:
BREAKING NEWS, 9/20: THE DOWNTOWN BIER GARTEN WILL BE GETTING ITS OOMPAH ON FOR THE E15 OKTOBERFEST PARTY ON 10/1... AND, TAKE A FREE SHUTTLE BETWEEN BEACH AND DOWNTOWN BIER GARTEN ON THE JAX BREW BUS!!!
10/1:
10/1 & 10/22:
10/1:
10/1:
10/14 - 10/16:
BEACHES OKTOBERFEST, Seawalk Pavilion, Jax Beach. All weekend, with CraftToberfest beer fest on Friday night, 6-10pm, featuring over 50 breweries. German beers, food trucks, live bands. Huge 110 ft. Ferris Wheel, Kinderzone. Tickets available on the Beaches Oktoberfest website.
AND, HERE ARE A FEW OTHERS AROUND FLORIDA:
9/17:
ORLANDO BREWING Oktoberfest Party, Orlando, starting at 1pm. Oktoberfest tapping and
mug release, German food and music, Best Dressed of Oktoberfest contest, and
most revered beard contest.
9/17:
OKTOBERFEST at COPPERTAIL BREWING, Tampa, 12-11pm. Tapping the Oktoberfest and the Dunkel at the same time. Buy a Coppertail liter mug (first fill free), and refill it at a discount all day. Games, music. Yeah, I've been here a time or two, or more....
9/17:
9/25:
HULLABALLOO FEST at CENTRAL 28 BEER CO., DeBary, 12-7pm. It's a combination 2nd Anniversary Party and Oktoberfest celebration! Ticketed event: get em HERE. Ticket includes beer stein glass, 3 beer tickets, food coupon. Beer specials all day, and the Oktoberfest Hullaballoo Festbier on tap!
9/29 - 10/1:
9/30- 10/2:
10/1 & 10/22:
"MOST AUTHENTIC OKTOBERFEST IN CENTRAL FLORIDA", German American Society of Central Florida, Casselberry, 2pm-10pm. German bands, German bier, German food, German dancers, all in a Bavarian biergarten!
OKTOBERFEST TAMPA, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Hey, I went last year: check out the blog post! Friday, 4-11pm; Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm. Again featuring the signature beer, Oktoberfest Tampa Dunkel, brewed by Coppertail Brewing (yeah, I've been there a few times, too). Loved the Dunkel last year! And, daily firkin tappings from Tampa Bay Brewing Company (another awesome Tampa brewery!). Be sure to participate in the Oktoberfest Games: Stein Hoisting (for Damen und Herren), Keg Stacking, Tug-O-War, Brat Toss, Carry the Wench, and more. There's German food, too! The German dancers really put on a show. Music by DJ Jay Kay. Event supports Are U Safe, a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic violence. Fest is presented by Goose Island and Tampa Bay Area Audi Dealers. Ein prosit! Eins zwei drei G'Suffa! (Yeah, I heard that a lot last year!)
10/7 - 10/9 & 10/14 - 10/16:
10/14 - 10/16:
10/15:
10/16:
I'll see you around an Oktoberfest celebration or two! I won't be too tough to find .... Prost!
Til next time,
Cheers!
Linda
© 2013-2016 BrewNymph, LLC. All text and photos. All rights
reserved. BrewNymph; Peace,
Love, Pints; Where the Beer Meets the Beach, and Beer is my Trademark are federally-registered trademarks of
BrewNymph, LLC; BeerSphere and I'm Fun; Deal With It! are trademarks of BrewNymph, LLC