Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has history of cheer and beer
Panama City News Herald
October 02, 2009 08:00:00 AM

By JEREMY MYERS
PANAMA CITY

As the calendar days tick by there are fewer holidays to celebrate. It is getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas is around the corner, but there is one more celebration not on the calendar. The last time I checked, the big holiday in October was Halloween, but in many parts of the world people dress up like Keebler elves, sing German songs and bang their oversized beer mugs together. Sounds fun, huh?

The original Oktoberfest occurred in Munich, Germany on Oct. 18, 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Price Ludwig and Therese of Bavaria. To celebrate their anniversary, a parade was organized in 1835 and the parade has been an annual event since 1850.

After the event grew in size, it underwent some changes. Due to weather, the dates were moved to begin in September and end on the first Sunday in October. Later, to add more entertainment, games were introduced, dance floors were constructed and beer was sold from tents. One has become known as one of the best seasonal beers you can find.

The Oktoberfest beer is really a relative of the Märzen beer. Being that the Märzen is a lager, it ferments at a lower temperature. The Märzen style is a Bavarian beer and has been around for several centuries. Before modern brewing systems, brewers had to use their surroundings to their benefit. The beer that they made was brewed in March and stayed in cold storage through the hot summer months. These brewers would store their beers in caves or manmade cellars to help their beers to ferment crisp and clean. Their Märzen beer was ready to drink by late summer or early fall.

At the current Munich Oktoberfest, there are six breweries that serve Oktoberfest beer and some are available in our area. Paulaner is one of my favorites and I really recommend giving it a taste. Oktoberfest beer is typically a yellow to deep amber color that has a light to medium carbonation. The medium body of this beer is easy to drink and has a malty character. In my opinion, the Oktoberfest beer is a very likeable and enthusiastic beer. There are many Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States and some are closer than you think.

Panama City Oktoberfest is here and there is plenty for all to enjoy. The mayor is usually the honorary keg tapper at the Munich festival and the same tradition is here. The keg tapping will occur at 5 p.m. today and there will be authentic German music, plenty of German food and lots of beer.

So when you hit Harrison Avenue this weekend for your Oktoberfest celebration, be sure to find a real Oktoberfest beer.