Sept 25 & 26

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.