Sunday, 14 of March of 2010
Commemorative Airforce Museum
It’s 89 degrees today and while that’s near perfect beer drinking weather, it’s nothing like the brisk temperatures in Munich this time of year. But great weather is one of the advantages of celebrating Oktoberfest in California. I mean, come on – Beer & bikinis
or beer and parka?
Actually it was a trick question, as the answer is always: Mmmm beer!
Growing up in Europe, the Kellerbar at the Rathskeller were part of my tradition. At least, I *thought* they were genuine until I made it to an actual beer hall for Oktoberfest. Though I am a bit cloudy about the specific details, I always remember a lot of drinking and a lot of dancing to polka music. Of course it was all very uncool when I was younger, I now feel nostalgic and a also little bit sad that I only have a few cloudy memories of it all.
One thing I *do* remember is the beers, and today I thought I’d talk about one of my favorites that we’ll be serving at Ventura Oktoberfest, the Weinhenstephaner Oktoberfest. Strangely enough being the world’s oldest beer and synonymous in this country with the Oktoberfest experience, because Weihenstephaner is not one of the six breweries of Munich, their Oktoberfest beer is not an official Oktoberfest beer. It is however a beer drinkers favorite, and certainly one of mine. It has a smokey, copper appearance led to a smooth citrus flavor that leads into a slow sweetness. It’s very hoppy, and simply an extraordinary beer: If you’ve never tried it, you MUST come to Ventura Oktoberfest. It’s not to be missed.
Did you know that the traditional German beer stein dates back to the middle ages? The beer crockery was already in use 1000 years ago, but it wasn’t until the Black Death that it acquired it’s trademark lid. According to German Beer Steins @ www.simplysteinbach.com:
“As a result of the bubonic plague and several invasions of flies throughout Europe shortly thereafter, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring that all food and beverage containers be covered to protect their contents. By combining a lid, hinge, and thumblift, these ‘German’ containers could easily be opened and closed with one hand.”
Each year during Oktoberfest in Germany heavy glass beer steins are created and used in the many beer gardens. These can be purchased from souvignir shops. There’s also a general Oktoberfest souvenir mug which shows each year’s Oktoberfest poster. This one is made of clay instead of glass and is available with a pewter lid.
I love pretzels. I mean, what’s not to love about a giant dough-product that is socially acceptable to gnaw on in public? Plus I love mustard, and since the pretzels in my life have been mustard delivery systems designed as “fun food”, I’m naturally looking forward to the pretzels we’ll have at the Ventura County Oktoberfest.
See, these aren’t just any pretzels. These are special Bavarian pretzels made at the German Baeckerei Piller and then shipped over here for Oktoberfest. These are what shopping mall pretzels hope they can be reincarnated as, the King of Pretzelville 
Well, OK maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole but they’re REALLY REALLY good, trust.
My friend Google told me that Bavarian pretzels were an accident created by a german baker named Anton Nepomuk Pfannenbrenner. Apparently he was making a sweet pretzel, but accidently glazed the pretzels with a baking soda solution. The tasty result became known as the “Bavarian Pretzel” as well as a GREAT accompaniment to German Beer.
Mmmmm Pretzel!
I was lucky enough to grow up in Europe, and as such Oktoberfests have been part of my tradition since, well, since they first let me into the beer garden. I miss that insane, jovial crowd getting together to drink beer and sing off key at 10am. I miss beer steins so heavy they make your arms shake to lift them. I miss crowds of people who really think lederhosen shows of their legs to their best advantage. And I miss the beer. Heavenly, dark, rich and toasty -
So one of the things I’m most excited about in the Ventura County Oktoberfest is the traditional brews. These are special Oktoberfest brews that can only be bought in Germany during Oktoberfest season. The fab organizers of the Ventura County Oktoberfest actually get a selection flown in every year. I don’t know what they are yet, but when I do I’ll be sure and share it here and on twitter
