Prost to Authentic Oktoberfest Celebrations: From Pretzels to Polkas!

Guten Tag! As the leaves turn golden and the air fills with a crisp breeze, the spirit of Oktoberfest comes alive once again. A celebration rooted in tradition, Oktoberfest is a time to embrace your German heritage and savor the flavors, music, and merriment that define this iconic festivity. Whether you’re raising a stein with friends or recreating the charm of Germany in your own home, here’s your guide to an authentic Oktoberfest experience that will make your heart sing “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!”

Remember that you can celebrate this German holiday even if you are not German! It is a celebration of togetherness and friendship.

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My mama is from a little town in Bavaria named Kulmbach. We spent many summers meandering around the town, drinking their world-famous Kulmbacher beer and eating delicious German cuisine. Our family continues the tradition by celebrating Oktoberfest at home here in Portland. We decorate our houses with blue and white, gather the ingredients to make our traditional food and of course get a good supply of the best beer in the world. German beer!

I am super biased about this. A majority of my family in Germany are brew masters at several different breweries. I live in Portland where we have more microbrews than anywhere in the world but most of the beer here is overly hopped and not to my liking.

I hope that you consider celebrating Oktoberfest with us this year as a celebration of life and friendship.

Authentic Oktoberfest Celebrations:

To properly celebrate Oktoberfest setting the mood is vital. Decorate with Bavarian Flair and Transform your space with blue and white decorations reminiscent of the Bavarian flag. Hang bunting, arrange beer steins, and set up Alpine-inspired centerpieces (think wheat, hops, and wildflowers.)

Now it’s time to look the part by wearing Traditional Attire. Embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest by wearing traditional Lederhosen and dirndls add an authentic touch to the festivities. Yes, they are leather pants and yes they are expensive.

Raise Your Steins (or rather Krug). The word stein is not used in Bavaria. The word we say for a beer mug is Krug pronounced K-roog. Oktoberfest we say Maßkrug pronounced Mas-K-roog. Gather your loved ones and toast with mugs of traditional German beers like Märzen or Hefeweizen. Wheat beer is king. AND HOLD THE HOPS! I can’t speak for all of us but most of my family prefers a light wheat beer.

Play traditional German music and create a dance floor for lively polka dancing – a hallmark of Oktoberfest celebrations. This is a time to sing together and just celebrate being alive and being with friends and family.

There is no Oktoberfest without food!:

You will find traditional bier (beer) drinking food at the Oktoberfest celebration in Germany. Because this is a Bavarian celebration it is important to celebrate with Bavarian food! Not all German food is eaten everywhere in the country. Below you will find the most authentic and traditional foods that we eat and serve during Oktoberfest.

Soft Pretzels (Laugenbrezel): Enjoy the salty, chewy delight of freshly baked pretzels. Serve with sweet-seeded mustard for an authentic touch.

Sauerkraut (Weißkraut): Create a tangy side dish with sauerkraut, a staple of German cuisine. Please for the love of Pete, do not use canned sauerkraut, and rinse the sauerkraut once out of the jar!

Lebkuchen Hearts (Lebkuchenherzen): Craft these heart-shaped gingerbread cookies, often seen at German festivals. Lebkuchen is found at almost every festival and celebration in Bavaria. You will most definitely see it at the Christmas markets as well.

Bratwurst with Sauerkraut: Enjoy grilled or pan-fried bratwurst served with sauerkraut and mustard. NOT AMERCAN “BRATWURST!” I am talking about authentic Turinger style bratwurst. You will know the difference because everything about the two sausages is different! Real authentic bratwurst are long, have a certain spice mix, and have a very distinct snap when cooked.

Weisswurst: These white sausages are traditionally boiled and enjoyed with sweet mustard and pretzels. This is one of the most traditional things you can eat during Oktoberfest as this sausage originates in Munich the heart of Oktoberfest. Believe it or not but you can find some decent Weisswurst at Trader Joe’s.

Schweinshaxe (Pork Knuckle): Indulge in tender, crispy pork knuckles served with potato dumplings and sauerkraut.

Obatzda: A creamy cheese spread made from Camembert, butter, onions, and spices. Enjoy with pretzels or fresh bread. We serve this on a wooden board and the mixture is scraped off using bread and veggies.

Kartoffelsalat (Potato Salad): German potato salad, often served warm, is a classic side dish.

Apfelstrudel: Savor flaky pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and cinnamon, often served with vanilla sauce.

Hendl (Roast Chicken): Roasted or grilled chicken seasoned with traditional German spices.

Sauerbraten: A marinated and slow-cooked pot roast, often served with red cabbage and potato dumplings.

Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake): Relish a honey and almond-topped cake filled with creamy custard.

Why do we celebrate?:

Oktoberfest is celebrated as an annual festival that originated in Munich, Germany, in 1810.

The festival was initially established to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The grand wedding celebrations included horse races, which were so well-received by the local citizens that they decided to continue the tradition the following year.

Over time, the horse races were replaced by various forms of entertainment, including parades, music, food, and, of course, beer.

Oktoberfest evolved into a large-scale public event that attracted visitors from all around the world. The festival’s timing, which typically spans the last two weeks of September into the first weekend of October, was adjusted to take advantage of the better weather during those weeks.

Today, Oktoberfest has grown into the world’s largest beer festival and traveling amusement fair. The celebration is marked by numerous beer tents, food stalls, live music performances, traditional dances, and an array of fun activities. People from various cultures and backgrounds come together to partake in the festivities, dress in traditional German attire, and enjoy the camaraderie of the event.

While beer remains a central focus of the festival, Oktoberfest has expanded to encompass aspects of Bavarian culture, offering visitors a taste of authentic German cuisine, music, dances, and traditional costumes. The festival is not only a celebration of Bavarian heritage but also a testament to the spirit of unity, joy, and friendship that can be found in sharing culture and traditions on a global scale.

In essence, Oktoberfest is celebrated as a way to honor history, embrace cultural heritage, and create lasting memories. It provides an opportunity for people to gather, enjoy good food and drink, immerse themselves in rich traditions, and revel in the festive atmosphere that defines this beloved event.

German or not you can celebrate with us:

Transport yourself to the heart of Germany with these authentic Oktoberfest celebrations and recipes. Whether you’re savoring the warmth of freshly baked pretzels, dancing to lively polkas, or raising your stein in true German fashion, Oktoberfest is a time to cherish your roots and create cherished memories. So don your dirndl or lederhosen, savor the flavors of Germany, and raise a toast to Gemütlichkeit – the heartwarming spirit of Oktoberfest that brings us all together. Prost!