Getting to know Oktoberfest

By: April Amos

It's definitely Fall in St. Louis. How do I know? The air is crisp, Eckert's is touting their apples and the Oktoberfest billboards are everywhere.

It wasn't until recently that I asked myself the question, "What is Oktoberfest exactly?" Sure, I never question the opportunity to drink large (very large) steins filled with hoppy brew. But is there more than just beer and buxom beauties in leiderhosen? I looked to my good friend Wikipedia for more information on this, Oktoberfest. While the real Oktoberfest in Munich is a 16- to 18-day fete to celebrate the anniversary of Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in 1810, our festival here is well, a little less historical. Bring on the beer. And what about the food you ask? Well it's usually a free-for-all of everything from sausages to fish-on-stick. But in our neck of the woods, we do it a little different. Here's the deal:

The Beer:  What really makes a North American-style Oktoberfest beer? From what I gather, Oktoberfest beer (aka Märzen) is a dark, full-bodied beer that's a bit stronger in hoppiness than it's German counterpart with a more bitter taste. If you're looking for a local Oktoberfest or Märzen, stop by these brewhouses: Schlafly Tap Room and Morgan Street Brewery.

The Food: We're not too far off here when it comes to traditional Oktoberfest-fare. While you probably won't find a traditional Steckerlfisch (fish on a stick) at our local festivals, you're sure to find other traditional treats like everyone's favorite German sausage - the bratwurst, loads of sauerkraut, German potato salad, candied nuts and of course, pretzels.

So why not get into the spirit of Oktoberfest, grab a mug and start celebrating? Boozing in the name of history sounds like a great idea in any month.

Can't get to Germany for the real thing? Check out the next best thing at Soulard Oktoberfest in St. Louis. You can win a pair of VIP passes for Friday, October 8!