Oktoberfest GUIDE

WILHELM VON KOBELL/PUBLIC DOMAIN Oktoberfest Time Line Break out the buttery 1880 minister president of Bavaria. Electricity was introduced to the pretzels and the icy Oktoberfest, which included 400 1960 brews, it’s time for booths and tents. The last year of the horse races, and the first year lederhosen and dirndl Oktoberfest. But how 1881 were picked as the official garments. did this celebration of Bratwurst makes its first appearance. all things German come 1980 DIGITAL CAT FROM MÜNCHEN, BAVARIA/CREATIVE COMMONS 1892 Terrorists plant a pipe bomb at the about? The people at Beer is served in glass mugs. main entrance of the festival. More than 200 people were injured and 13 Kegerator (who know a 1914-1918 killed. thing or two about beer) Oktoberfest canceled due to World War I. 2005 put together a history. Quiet Oktoberfest hours are intro- 1919-1920 duced to curb the hard partying and Keep reading for some milestones in Oktoberfest replaced by a smaller make a family-friendly time for visiting. the life of the Oktoberfest. autumn festival after World War I. © ADOBE STOCK 2008 OCT. 17, 1810 1939-1945 A smoking ban at Oktoberfest causes The first Oktoberfest didn’t have any- Oktoberfest after it grew large enough Oktoberfest canceled because of unrest. Several politicians are voted out thing to do with beer at all. Instead, it to include contests and carnival World War II. It was again followed by a of office. was a wedding reception for Prince booths. smaller autumn festival at the war’s Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese Soon after, it turned into a 16-day end. 2010 of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Everyone festival from late September through For the Oktoberfest’s 200th anniver- enjoyed the party so much, the happy the first weekend of October. 1950 sary, horse races returned and a special couple suggested making it an annual Two new traditions start: The 12-gun beer was brewed. event. 1850 salute and the official tapping of the The statue of Bavaria was unveiled first keg at noon, when the mayor of 2011 1819 and has watched over Oktoberfest ever Munich will scream “O’zapft is!”, tap A record 7.5 million liters of beer is The city of Munich takes over since. the keg and serve the first mug to the served. OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | ATTIRE What Are Lederhosen, Anyway? Those funny pockets, a hip pocket, a knife pocket and a drop front. For looking green Oktoberfest, the wearer may shorts became the also done haverlschuhe, or stockings, and a classic white official costume of shirt. the Oktoberfest in DIRNDL 1960. But, they’re This is the feminine version way more than just of lederhosen, the dirndl is also based on Alpine peasant wear. a weird costume. The skirt is a light circular cut, Here’s more about gathered at the waist, and fall- ing below the knee. It is worn lederhosen, the with a bodice and a blouse with official costume of short, puffed sleeves, and usually an apron. For the winter, the Oktoberfest. dirndl includes heavy skirts and thick fabrics, designed for warmth. Colors and accessories HARD WORK, vary from region to region and SHORT PANTS even town to town. The knee-length deerskin shorts were originally worn OTHER ACCESSORIES during hard physical work, What’s a festival without a where they were more durable stylish chapeau? Tirolerhute, or than fabric pants. Popularity of Bavarian hats, are popular the traditional work clothes during Oktoberfest. The jaunty dropped off sharply in the 19th little hat is crowned with a tuft century, considered uncouth of chamois hair, once highly peasants’ clothes. prized. The more or bigger tufts In the 1880s, clubs formed in you had, the richer you were. Munich and other cities that Now, of course, imitation cham- sought to preserve traditional ois hair makes this a poor gauge rural clothing. It was then that of wealth. the garment, previously worn You can see all this pomp and throughout central Europe, finery on display on parade became closely associated with during the Oktoberfest on the Bavaria. first festival Sunday. Participants in a glittering array of historical FESTIVAL GEAR costumes march about four Now lederhosen are consid- miles from the Maximillaneum ered a symbol of virility and to the Oktoberfest grounds. The masculinity. Men wear them parade includes costumes, of working outdoors or doing course, but also rifle clubs, other outside activities, but also bands, flags, and decorated car- to folk festivals and beer gar- riages, horses and carts. The dens, much like the Scottish kilt. clubs in the parade come from All lederhosen have two side all over Europe. © ADOBE STOCK OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | TERMINOLOGY

© ADOBE STOCK © ADOBE STOCK © ADOBE STOCK Oktoberfest Glossary If you’re not fluent in German, never fear. We’re here to help. Here are some words and phrases you might hear around an Oktoberfest celebration.

Wiesn: Another name for the knuckle, usually served with sau- Radler: A half-beer, half-soft grandaddy of them all, the erkraut or knödel, which are drink, also served in a liter mug. Munich Oktoberfest. It comes potato dumplings. For those in it for the long haul. from the colloquial name for the Weißwurst: A Bavarian sausage Altbier: A dark beer with malt- fairgrounds, Theresa’s meadows, made from minced veal, pork ed barley from the Düsseldorf or Theresienwiese. bacon, spices and herbs. It’s usu- area. O’zapft is!: Translation: It is ally served before noon, in a bowl Bockbier, doppelbock: Strong tapped! Traditional words that of hot water, along with sweet beers that originate from Einbeck © ADOBE STOCK open the fest as the first keg of mustard, a pretzel and wheat and are around 7% alcohol. beer is tapped. beer. Weizenbier, weissbier: A wheat Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit: Hendl: Roast chicken, another beer popular in Bavaria. A A traditional drinking song at the traditional Oktoberfest dish. Hefeweizen is more yeasty, while Munich festival, which roughly Schnitzel: Tender, boneless Kristallweizen is clearer and fizzi- translates to “a toast to cheer and meat fried in flour and bread- er. Around 5.4% alcohol with a good times.” crumbs. fruity, spicy taste. Bierzelt: A beer tent. The Spätzle: Egg noodles or dump- Märzen: A full-bodied, strongly Munich Oktoberfest (and many lings. malty beer associated with others) are a string of booths, Wurst: Generally, sausage. Oktoberfest. tents and pavilions serving great Die Bierleichen: Beer corpses. Leipziger gose: A tart beer fla- beer, good food and music. The name for those snoring off a vored with salt and coriander. It’s Brezel or brezn: A pretzel, usu- maß too many. usually served with cherry or ally sprinkled with coarse salt. Prost: Cheers! almond liqueur. Maßkrug: A glass mug of beer Gemütlichkeit: A general feel- Malzbier: Literally, malt beer. equal to a liter. Usually shortened ing of goodwill toward your fel- Sweet, aromatic, and brewed to a maß. low man. Not feeling it yet? Have mainly in Bavaria and Baden-

Schweinshaxe: A stewed pork another maß. Württemberg. © ADOBE STOCK OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | FOOD

© ADOBE STOCK Beer ‘n’ Brats Few things go together as chopped meat sausage, and is usually MAKING YOUR OWN BEER BRATS made from veal, beef or pork. They are So let’s fire up the grill and make Recipe from Kingsford Charcoal. well as beer and bratwurst. most commonly eaten as a snack on a your own beer and brats. First, make a If you can’t make it to white bread roll with mustard. In bars, trip to your local grocer and ask the 6 bratwurst it can be served with sauerkraut or butcher for some quality bratwurst. 2-3 cans of beer Munich, here’s how to get potato salad and a rye bread or a pret- You should be able to find a few vari- Sauerkraut your own taste of zel. It’s often sold as a street food. eties, or, if you’re really lucky, your Sauteed onions and peppers In the U.S., the name is commonly butcher makes his own. Oktoberfest right in your shortened to brats. Wisconsin claims The next most important ingredient Start a two-zone fire on your grill, with your coals own backyard. to be home to the beer brat, where is the beer. Don’t skimp here; even piled to one side. Place a pan over the coals, pour in bratwurst are simmered in beer with though you won’t be drinking it, it’s the beer, and add the brats. Cook for 10-15 minutes, butter and onions before grilling. still important to get a decent beer. or until the sausages turn white. Move the pan to SO WHAT IS IT? Madison, Wisconsin, hosts the Brat Pale lagers work best. If you’re a novice the cool side and put the brats over the fire using A bratwurst isn’t just any sausage. Fest over the Memorial Day weekend, beer drinker, ask the experts at your tongs, not a fork. You don’t want to puncture the It’s a German sausage that dates to the where you can eat your fill of local liquor store to point you in the skin. Rotate the sausages for an even sear. Let them early 1300s. It literally means a finely bratwurst. right direction. rest before serving. OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | FOOD What Is Sauerkraut? Sauerkraut is cabbage that has been fermented in a long, natural process. It has a long shelf life and a distinct sour flavor. The cabbage is pickled using lactic acid fermentation, similar to the process used to make traditional kimchi.

Before freezing and refrig- eration, sauerkraut provided an important source of nutri- ents over the winter. The word kraut, derived from sauerkraut, is a deroga- tory term for Germans.

HOW IT’S MADE Cabbage is layered with salt in an airtight container and left to ferment. The pickling process for sauerkraut relies not on heat, but on carefully controlled temperatures and lactobacilli, which culture on © ADOBE STOCK raw cabbage leaves and break down the sugars. Yeasts are Germany. Cooked sauerkraut the sauerkraut contains live 2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar per. Melt the butter in a 5-quart oven- also present, and can result in in that country is often fla- lactobacilli and other 2 Tablespoons maple syrup proof saucepan or Dutch oven until siz- soft, foul sauerkraut if the vored with juniper berries, microbes and enzymes that 1 2-3 pounds pork loin roast zling, then add the roast. Cook over temperature becomes too hot. caraway seeds, apples, or may help digestion. ½ teaspoon salt medium heat, turning several times, Properly cured sauerkraut is white wine. It’s served warm ½ teaspoon pepper for 7-9 minutes, or until browned. acidic enough to kill off botu- with pork or sausages and PORK AND SAUERKRAUT 2 Tablespoons butter Add the sauerkraut mixture. Cover lism bacteria. steamed potatoes or dump- Recipe is from Land O’ Lakes. and bake for 1 1/2 -2 hours, or until the lings. 1 32-oounce package sauerkraut, Preheat oven to 350 degrees. roast reaches an internal temperature HOW TO EAT IT Sauerkraut is a great source undrained Combine sauerkraut, apple, onion, of 160 degrees. Sauerkraut or a dish like it of vitamins C and K, and is a 1 medium apple, cored and sliced brown sugar and syrup in a bowl. Set Using a slotted spoon, remove the is made in many cultures, but great source of fiber. If eaten thin aside. sauerkraut to a serving dish. Place the it’s Oktoberfest, so let’s talk uncooked and unpasteurized, 1/4 cup chopped onion Sprinkle the roast with salt and pep- roast over it and serve. OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | DRINKS Free Beer! OK, not that kind of brew drops the hops in favor of a wheaty, biscuit taste. free beer. If you’re avoiding alcohol or GLUTEN-FREE BEER Traditional beers are usually gluten, you may be made with barley, wheat or surprised to learn both, and those grains contain gluten, which could wreak you can still enjoy a havoc on someone with celiac good beer. Pick up disease or a gluten sensitivity. But never fear, brewers are this knowledge and catching on to the gluten-free then head to your trend and are churning out beers made with nongluten local liquor store or grains, like sorghum. If you’re grocery store to try a very sensitive or you’re looking for a change, you can also try few pints for yourself. hard ciders. Again, lean on the experts at your local liquor store. They can point you to NONALCOHOLIC BEER some great choices that won’t N/A beer or near beer con- make you sick. tains much less alcohol, and Need a place to start? Try fewer calories, than its leaded these brews, picked by Shape cousin. It typically has 0.5% magazine. alcohol by volume or less, Dogfish Head Tweason’ale: whereas the real stuff has any- Released four times a year, this where between 3% and 13%. sorghum brew is flavored with That little drop of alcohol left strawberries and buckwheat behind is what gives the drink honey. it’s beer taste. Ask your local Stone Brewing Co.’s quality grocer or liquor store Delicious IPA: Stone Brewing’s experts for their picks. Or try first gluten-free beer is an these brews, named best in intense, citrusy IPA. Be warned: class by Cooking Light maga- It’s not entirely gluten free; it zine. tests at 10 parts per million, Athletic Brewing Co. Run still under the FDA bar of 20 Wild IPA: Citrusy and pleasant- ppm, but not entirely devoid. ly hoppy, but not as sharp as a Omission Lager: Omission regular IPA. Athletic Brewing exclusively does gluten-free only produces non-alcoholic beer, and they’re darn good at beer, so try any of their brews. it, taking the gold and silver Clausthaler Dry-Hopped medals for gluten-free beer at Nonalcoholic Beer with the Great International Beer Cascade Hops: Clausthaler is and Cider Competition. This another exclusively nonalco- lager has only 140 calories and holic brewer, and this one has a is difficult to tell from a glu- malty, caramel profile. tened bottle. Kalibur Premium Beer: This SAM CAVENAGH/CREATIVE COMMONS OKTOBERFEST GUIDE | FOOD Pretzel Twists The origin story of the big, soft Bavarian pretzel is almost as twisty as the bread’s shape itself.

Legends fly about monks and the pretzel twist symboliz- ing arms crossed in prayer, or the Holy Trinity, or other Christian-centric themes. But it’s equally likely that the pretzel, and its shape, predate Christianity. And while experts may not agree on how we got pretzels, we can all agree that they are tasty, perfect with beer and can be made at home.

TYPES OF PRETZELS There are almost as many types of pretzels as there are origin stories. Most commonly, the bread loops are washed in lye or baking soda, baked and salted. But they can also be covered in cheese, nuts, seeds, chocolate, sugar or glazes. They can be cut and served with butter (butterbrezel) or with meats or cheeses. They are served with various forms © ADOBE STOCK of wurst, or sausage, with weisswurst being the most Freeport breweries. Even after 1 teaspoon white sugar form, about 15 minutes. to a baking sheet. popular in Bavaria. the breweries closed during 2 Tablespoons butter, softened Stir in the salt and gradually Preheat the oven to 450 In the U.S., the pretzel’s pop- Prohibition, the pretzels twist- 1 1/3 cups warm water add the remaining flour until the degrees. Bring the remaining 3 ularity began in the ed on, and still do. The town 1/4 teaspoon salt dough can be picked up and cups of water to a boil and add Pennsylvania countryside, watches football at Pretzel 3 Tablespoons baking soda kneaded on the counter. Knead the baking soda. Remove from where communities of Field and the high school mas- 3 cups water until smooth and elastic, about 8 heat. Dip the pretzels into the Germans and Swiss settled. cot is the Pretzels. 2 Tablespoons butter, melted minutes, sprinkling flour to keep it water bath for about 45 seconds, Freeport, Illinois, also claims 1 Tablespoon coarse sea salt, or from becoming sticky. flipping over about halfway the name Pretzel City, USA. A BAVARIAN PRETZELS to taste Divide the dough into six pieces through. Place on a greased bak- German immigrant named Recipe is from Allrecipes.com. In a large bowl, stir together 1 and let them rest for five minutes. ing sheet. Brush with melted but- John Billerbeck started a soft 3 cups flour, divided, plus more cup of flour, yeast, sugar, softened Roll out one at a time into a rope ter and sprinkle with coarse salt. pretzel factory to complement for sprinkling butter and 1 1/3 cup warm water. about 15 inches long. Loop and Bake until golden brown, about the beers turned out by 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast Let stand until bubbles begin to twist it into a pretzel shape. Move 8 to 10 minutes.