O’Zapft is!’
In English, ’The keg is tapped!’
This phrase, spoken by the mayor of Munich, Germany, who taps the first keg, kicks off the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest. The party lasts from Sept. 16 until Oct. 3’the 16 days leading up to the first Sunday in October.
Beer lovers (over 6 million are expected this year), are present in full force consuming 30 percent of all beer brewed in Munich over the past year during this two-week period.
Oktoberfest originates with the celebration of Bavarian royal wedding on Oct. 12, 1810. Held in a field outside the city, the nobility invited every citizen of Munich to join in the wedding festivities. The citizens commemorated the event by partying in the same field the next year, and every year thereafter.
The seasonal Oktoberfest, or M’rzen, beers are lagers that were traditionally brewed in the early spring (March), and aged in cool caves during the summer. This style is easily recognizable by its tan color and full-bodied, rich flavors of toasty malts and mild hops.
To find the best Oktoberfest beer one must go to the source. German brew masters own this style and the American takes on Oktoberfest can be pretty lackluster.
Flying Dog
Flying Dog’s Dogtoberfest ($6.99/6 pack), is a waterlogged brew with very faint aromas of grains and a nearly imperceptible hint of malt. Don’t waste your time.
Sam Adams
Boston’s Sam Adams’ Oktoberfest offering ($8.29/6 pack), is a decent domestic take on the German style. Aromas of fresh pumpernickel bread, caramel and hints of chocolate appeal to the nose. Lots of caramel and a gentle hop/malt balance make for adequate taste but the sticky and syrupy feel of this brew ruins the whole experience.
German-made M’rzen beers, particularly those brewed in Munich, the home of Oktoberfest, excel in taste and quality.
Beck’s
Beck’s Oktoberfest ($7.99/6 pack), is a great amber brew for the Heineken lover. Smelling of skunky hops tinged with caramel, this beer opens with sweet roasted malt and a lasting hop experience.
Lighter than other M’rzens and a little lacking in carbonation, this is still a good brew.
Hacker-Pschorr
One of Munich’s oldest breweries, Hacker-Pschorr, produces an enjoyable Oktoberfest style beer ($9.79/6 pack), that has the typical smells of caramel and roasted malts with a nice hint of hazelnut. A delight to the taste buds, fruity flavors (from the noble hops), open into sweet toffee flavors with a backing of malt. It’s creamy, refreshing and delicious.
Paulaner
Paulaner, a brewery started by monks in Munich, offers up its celebrated M’rzen in both mini-keg and 6 pack ($21.49 and $8.99). Smells of overripe fruit, bread and earthiness greet the nose. Flavors of caramel, honey and sweet malt with a hint of light, floral hops along with the active carbonation make this a really refreshing and outstanding brew.
Ayinger
Aromatic, Ayinger’s Oktober Fest-M’rzen ($3.49/500ml bottle), bursts with smells of roasted malts and chocolate. Upfront, this brew tastes of dried fruits followed by caramel, toasty malts and a soft finish of baker’s chocolate.
Full-bodied and soft, this is an opulent beer packed with great flavor. A true classic. (All prices listed as found at Beer Depot.)
ConsciousFlowz, a non-profit organization promoting AIDS awareness in South Africa, hosts a benefit wine tasting Oct. 7 at the Discovery Center. Visit consciousflowz.org for more details.
