Oktoberfest is weird because it starts in September and not Oktober. For lovers of quality beer and traditional German food, it is a wonderful few weeks of brown suds and german potato cakes. There are a lot of misnomers surrounding this holiday. In the states, it has evolved into something more than a just a German version of Cinco de Mayo; that is, it’s not just for lovers of lager. For many, it’s the time of year to sink your teeth into authentic German cuisine. As far as Oktoberfest-style beer goes, no two will ever be alike, for there are no strict rules regarding flavor — it’s just a beer brewed to celebrate the holiday. Mainstream exposure has turned the actual Oktoberfest in actual Germany into a 6-million-person tourist spectacle; Philly’s is not that intense. But there’s more than enough Spaten to go around and if you’re not down with the drunken hoo-ha side of the weekend, then there’s always some amazing German Food to be had. Here’s what Philadelphia has brewing for the ‘fest.
Brauhaus Schmitz is going big for Oktoberfest. They are turning it into a week long event by holding events such as a beer tasting contest (today at 7), a bratwurst eating competition (Tomorrow at 8), and a good ol’ fashioned keg kicking competition, culminating in an indoor/outdoor party on Saturday complete with pig roast and live music.
Iron Hill breweries are also throwing down for Oktoberfest. They have a special menu available through the month of Oktober as well as german style beers such as their perfectly balanced Vienna Red Lager.
Triumph Brewery of Old City is featuring an Oktoberfest menu starting the first of October which is being kicked off with a keg tapping of brewer Patrick Jones‘ famed Oktoberfest ale on the last Thursday of the month at 6pm. Definitely worth a taste. The Oktoberfest food menu also promises to make your brat stand on end.
The Devil’s Den is pouring all six (that’s sechs, we think) of the Munich breweries Friday September 25th through Sunday the 27th from 12pm-12am. There should be some interesting German food specials as well.
Even though Monks is a Belgian joint, they’re throwing down on Oktober 13th for their Oktoberfest Beer Dinner. There will be traditional German fare as well as Monk’s own take on Oktoberfest favorites. They will be pouring both German and domestic fest beers all the while. Tickets are $60 and will likely go fast.
If you’re looking to get out of town,there is a huge street festival in Ambler, Pa on Oktober 3rd (Along Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002.) There will be complete with a traditional “oompah-band” as well as brats and beer galore.
You may not care about the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810 (the whole reason for all of the drunken brat-foolery), and by no means do you need to don the whole lederhosen get-up, but Oktoberfest is worth taking advantage of in some form during the coming weeks. Prosit!
the german society of pa on spring garden has their yearly oktoberfest celebration on october 3. they usually have brats, pretzels and an ample selection german beer in bottles. also, grumblethorpe in germantown celebrates oktoberfest the same day. following the reenactment of the battle of germantown they have beer, lancaster county sausage and more in the 18th century garden of the summer house of john wister. for more info (scroll down a bit more than half way): http://www.philalandmarks.org/calendar.aspx
Best Oktoberfest in the land is at the United German Hungarian club in Bucks:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=109973080915&index=1
the german society of pa on spring garden has their yearly oktoberfest celebration on october 3. they usually have brats, pretzels and an ample selection german beer in bottles.
also, grumblethorpe in germantown celebrates oktoberfest the same day. following the reenactment of the battle of germantown they have beer, lancaster county sausage and more in the 18th century garden of the summer house of john wister.
for more info (scroll down a bit more than half way):
http://www.philalandmarks.org/calendar.aspx
and
http://www.germansociety.org/oktoberfest.html
Brauhaus’s Saturday Oktoberfest celebration was a frat-boy clusterfuck, aka a real douchefest.