Your Top 12 Questions About Oktoberfest Answered
Oktoberfest is one of our favorite holidays on the craft beer calendar! Steeped in German cultural traditions and sporting two of its own awesome beer styles, this centuries-old volksfest has evolved into an international celebration of beer and brewing. If you love Oktoberest season and want to learn more about it, check out our blog post below!
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Why is it spelled with a K?
This one’s easy: The month of October is spelled with a “K” in the German language, hence “Oktoberfest”!
What are the historical origins of Oktoberfest?
The first Oktoberfest was held on October 12, 1810, to commemorate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The party was so popular that the royals decided to celebrate it again in subsequent years, and the festival quickly became a cultural tradition in Bavaria.
Then why are people already celebrating in September when it’s called Oktoberfest?
While the very first Oktoberfest took place in October, organizers gradually began hosting the festival earlier in the autumn to capitalize on warmer weather and longer days. Eventually, Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany settled in a 16–17 period leading up to the first Sunday in October, which corresponds with German Unity Day. While there’s no official celebration window in America, you generally see Oktobefest parties happening in mid-late September.
What do the terms “Märzen” “Festbier” and “Oktoberfest” mean? What’s the difference?
Photo by Tj Turner
“Märzen” is the most common style of Oktoberfest beer brewed by American breweries. Based on historical recipes, these beers are copper to amber in color and are distinctively toasty and breadlike in flavor, with a slight sweetness and moderately full body.
“Festbier” is the most common style of Oktoberfest beer served at modern Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany. Developed by Paulaner in the 1970s to suit Germans’ changing tastes, Festbiers are golden in color and lighter in body than Märzens, with a distinctive crispness and moderate hop bitterness compared to the sweeter, creamier Märzen.
“Oktoberfest” is technically the term for the festival itself, rather than the beers that are served at it, but many breweries (especially in America) choose to use the term to refer to their beers. Generally, an “Oktoberfest” is going to be a Märzen.
Photo by Tj Turner
How do you pronounce “Märzen?”
If you want to be precise in your pronunciation, you’ll pronounce this historic style as “Mare-tsen” rather than “Mars-in” or “Mar-zen”.
What makes a great Oktoberfest beer? What should you watch out for?
Whether it be a Festbier or Märzen, a great Oktoberfest beer is going to be supremely balanced and drinkable, with just enough body and sweetness to leave a strong impression. Some common pitfalls with this style include overly sweet, cloyingly caramel-y beers with flabby finishes.
I’m interested in trying German Oktoberfests, but don’t imports suffer in quality?
While imported beer can definitely have quality issues as it makes the long trip across the Atlantic, we’ve thoroughly vetted our selection of imports and can say with confident that they taste as great as they would back in their country of origin. Check out Oktoberfests from Ayinger, Hacker Pschorr, Hofbrau Munchen, Kloster Weltenburger, Tucher, and Weihnstephaner to get an authentic taste of Deutschland.
Still not convinced? We’ve got plenty of awesome, locally-made Oktoberfests from breweries like Schell's, Summit, and more!
What type of drinking vessel should I serve my Oktoberfest beer in?
Photo by Tj Turner
If you’re going to an Oktoberfest party, nothing says “Oktobefest” like those huge, iconic ceramic or glassware beer steins. At home, the massive size of these vessels makes them cumbersome and tiring to drink from for most people. We recommend seeking out a more manageable Tübinger kugel, or dimpled beer mug. The slightly rounded profile of these mugs also helps concentrate your beer’s aroma.
What’s the deal with those silly outfits?
First of all, how dare you?!? Secondly, the traditional Oktoberfest garb for masculine dressers features leather shorts (often paired with suspenders) known as lederhosen, which were originally Alpine workwear worn by Bavarians. Feminine dressers traditionally wear the dirndl, a folk dress common to the Alpine regions of Germany. And those cute little felt hats? They’re called Tyrolean (or Alpine) hats!
Photo by Tj Turner
What a great food pairing for Oktoberfest?
While you probably already know about the sauerkraut, Würstl (sausages) and Brezen (pretzels), Oktoberfest celebrations in Bavaria have also traditionally featured roast chicken or pork, Schweinshaxe (roasted ham hock or pork knuckle), and Käsespätzle (basically German mac and cheese).
Where can I celebrate Oktoberfest in the Twin Cities?
We highly recommend stopping by Dabbler Depot on September 17 from __ to __ to sample Oktoberfest beers from a variety of local, national, and international breweries, plus food from _______.
Still need more Oktoberfest fun? Check out our full list of places to celebrate around the Twin Cities on the Beer Dabbler blog!
Is it “Ziggy Zaggy” or “Sicky-Socky”?
Technically, neither. The closest pronunciation to the original German toasting cheer would be “Zicke Zacke”, usually followed by a hearty “Hoi Hoi Hoi!” and a salutary “PROST!” No need to get too pedantic about this one though, just join in the cheer!
