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Combining Oktoberfest History and a Virtual Beer Tasting
Fall is the time for the biggest folk festival in the world, Oktoberfest, held in Munich, Germany in late September through the first week in October. Several smaller versions are held around the world and especially in the United States. Breweries brew up seasonal beers in the German style. Bars, brewpubs, restaurants, and organizations celebrate with special draft lists, menus, and Oktoberfest influenced events. Some break out traditional German music and lederhosen and dirndls.
Sadly, due to COVID19, this year’s Oktoberfest, and generally most other celebrations and gatherings are cancelled.
But, the breweries are still brewing. And people can still enjoy German or German-inspired beer. And, like many other activities, beer tasting and socializing has gone virtual. In lieu of cancelled Homecoming events, Framingham State University (FSU) organized a virtual alumni event combining Oktoberfest History and a virtual beer tasting.
Organizing the Oktoberfest Virtual Beer Tasting
The Framingham State Alumni Relations Office reached out to Exhibit “A” Brewing Company in Framingham, MA. A staff member has a connection to the General Manager, Kelsey Roth. Kelsey signed on to do a virtual presentation highlighting Oktoberfest.
I am a member of the FSU Alumni Association Board. As a fan of craft beer, and the publisher of a beer journal: Keeping Up with Craft Beers, I helped with some promotion and preparation for the online event. In addition, if anyone buys a journal on Amazon through Dec. 31st and emails the receipt to [email protected], the proceeds will be donated to the FSU Alumni Leadership Scholarship Fund.
Kelsey put together a special four pack of Exhibit “A” Beers for the virtual beer tasting. He included: Briefcase Porter, an American Porter; Wandering Thoughts, a Double Dry Hopped (DDH) Double IPA; Goody Two Shoes which is a German Style Kölsch, and their German inspired Focal Point Munich Dunkel Lager Beer.
All the Exhibit “A” beers, including the special limited time 4 pack, are available by online ordering for pickup at their taproom at 83 Morton St., Framingham, MA.
Prior to the event Jenn DeFronzo, the Director of FSU Alumni Relations, asked me to put together a list of Octoberfest beers. I wasn’t sure about that, but I learned a lot, about the seasonal beers, and more about Oktoberfest itself.
I am going to share what I learned, and the lists I came up with, thanks to my online research and Wikipedia.
Oktoberfest: THE German Folk Festival
First of all, my husband and I went to the Oktoberfest in Munich years ago. We weren’t prepared for how large it was and that it was much more than beer halls. We were stunned by all the amusements: the rides, and booths, and splendid displays. Just walking around was so entertaining. We still think that it is on a par, or better than DisneyWorld and Universal Studios. Just on such a different level. We couldn’t get over how large the beer tents are. And how many. They can hold several thousand people. Incredible! And the waiters and waitresses are amazing. Heart cookies of gingerbread, costumes, pretzels, sausages, and of course, beer, are plentiful. We hope to go back some day.
Oktoberfest is, according to Wikipedia, the largest volksfest (beer festival and traveling funfair) in Germany. It’s always held in Munich, Germany and for 16-17 days in September through the first Sunday in October. Originally it was held in October and the name stuck. It was pushed back to enjoy the warmer September weather. Its origins were a public celebration upon the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (1786–1868), later King Ludwig I (reign: 1825–1848), to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on 12 October 1810. The site was originally a horsetrack. The marriage celebration included a horse race and various activities. The horse race and activities were expanded on the couple’s first anniversary, including children performing in the traditional dress of the various Bavarian regions . The celebration became annual and snowballed. No more horse racing, but horses are prominent in the opening parade. Generally over six million people attend and drink about the same amount in liters of beer.
What kind of beer do they serve at Oktoberfest?
As Kelsey Roth can tell you, only breweries within the Munich city limits can participate in Oktoberfest. And only beer conforming to strict regulations limiting the ingredients, and brewed within the city limits of Munich, can be served at the Munich Oktoberfest. Beers meeting the criteria are designated Oktoberfest beer, although the name ‘Oktoberfest beer’ also denotes two distinct beer styles: a traditional Marzen lager and a paler, ‘Festbier’ that is now what is served at Oktoberfest itself.
The Munich breweries that can produce Oktoberfest beer are:
Oktoberfest Beer is a registered trademark by the Club of Munich Brewers, which consists of the above six breweries. So other breweries have to use Octoberfest with a “c” or “Oktoberfest-style, or other variations.
About the Marzen Lager Beer
“Marzen” means March in German. Due to a strict Bavarian ordinance, no beer could be brewed in the summer, so beer was brewed in March, and aged or “lagered” in cool cellars or caves over the summer. Then in September the “March” beer was brought out and enjoyed. The Oktoberfest traditions and the beer evolved as well.
Oktoberfest and Exhibit “A’s” General Manager, Kelsey Roth
On October 22, Kelsey Roth, Exhibit “A” Brewing Company’s General Manager gave a virtual presentation about the origins of Oktoberfest, German style beers. Along the way, he and viewers sipped and savored Exhibit A beer representing a variety of styles.
The presentation was recorded and posted on the Framingham State University Alumni Facebook page. The presentation is a little over an hour and full of information about Oktoberfest and beer from a beer expert’s point of view. Kelsey gives a more detailed overview of Oktoberfest than this blog post. He also explains the ingredients and brewing process. He mentions that scientific analysis revealed that long ago, the lager yeast used in German beer somehow made its way there from Patagonia, Argentina. If you thirst for knowledge about beer, as well as beer, give Kelsey a listen.
Exhibit “A” Brewing Company, Framingham, MA
You will find Exhibit “A” at 83 Morton St., a side street adjacent to Rt. 135 in South Framingham, MA.
In the warmer months, it operates a beer garden across the street. A rotating list of food trucks provide a delicious variety of complimentary snacks and meals. The food truck schedule is posted on their Facebook page. In addition to their beer, they offer wine, hard cider, hard seltzer, bottled water, seltzer, and soda. There is parking on the street and along and behind the brewery.
These photos were taken just as the beer garden was opening for the afternoon. The tables and benches fill quickly. And, well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Currently, Exhibit “A” beers are available by online ordering for pickup at their taproom at 83 Morton St., Framingham, MA. You can also do an online search to find where their beer is available on tap or in a store. Their Cat’s Meow, an IPA, is a favorite.
Fall and Octoberfest Inspired Beers
Big Note: Octoberfest beers are different from pumpkin beers but appear on tap and in stores around the same time.
Here’s an alphabetical roundup of notable U.S. Oktoberfest beers that appear on the lists of beer experts and bartenders:
Athletic Non-Alcoholic Oktoberfest Bier – Athletic Brewing Co, Stratford, CT
Brooklyn Oktoberfest – Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Clawhammer Oktoberfest Märzen – Highland Brewing Company, Ashville, S.C.
Copper Legend Octoberfest – Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Framingham, MA
Dry Dock Docktoberfest – Dry Dock Brewing, Aurora, CO
Festbier Märzen – Victory brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
Founders Oktoberfest Marzen – Founders brewing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
Great Lakes Oktoberfest – Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH
Karbachtoberfest – Karbach Brewing Company, Houston, TX
Left Hand Oktoberfest – Left Hand Brewing Co. Longmont, CO
No Label Oktoberfest – No Label Brewing Co. Katy, TX
Old Zahm Oktoberfest – Market Garden Brewery, Cleveland, OH
Oktoberfest Märzen – Wallenpaupack Brewing Co., Hawley, PA
Rahr and Sons Oktoberfest – Rahr and Sons Brewing Company, Ft. Worth, TX
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest – Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA
Schlafly Oktoberfest – Schlafly, The St. Louis Brewery, St. Louis, MO
Shiner Oktoberfest – Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner, TX
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA
Here’s an alphabetical roundup of some Massachusetts breweries and their Octoberfest, Fall, or Pumpkin Beers:
Important: Call or check their websites or Facebook Page before you go because beers, availability, and hours may change.
CraftRoots Brewing, Milford – The seasonal Autumn Ale is “brewed with real pumpkin and a very light touch of pie spice.”
Ground Effect Brewing, Hudson – Oktoberfest – a golden Festbier lager
Jack’s Abby, Framingham – Keller Series – Munich Fest – Munich Style Festbier & a Marzen Kellerbier
Exhibit ‘A’, Framingham – Focal Point Munich Dunkle Lager
Flying Dreams Brewing Co., Marlborough, MA – Oktoberfest
Harpoon – Boston – Octoberfest – a Marzen, Dogtoberfest – Festbier and Dunkin’ Pumpkin – coffee & pumpkin ale
Kells Beer Co., Natick – The Pumpkin Royale ale
Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Company, Marlborough – Festbier and Eastwitch – a Pumpkin Ale
Medusa Brewing, Hudson – Simon – a fest bier and Hecubus – an Oktoberfest Marzen
Night Shift, Everett – Steinbier – German Marzen
Purgatory Beer Co., Northbridge – Double Dutch “Autumnal” Brown Ale
Rapscallion – Acton – Sturbridge – Concord – O-fest
Redemption Rock, Worceste – Thackery – an Octoberfest lager and I Can’t Even – a pumpkin spice latte stout.
Start Line Brewing, Hopkinton – A variety of seasonal beers in cans, including the Honey Harvest Saison.
Treehouse Brewing Company – Whisper – Octoberfest-Style Lager and Brisk Oak – conditioned Oktoberfest Lager
True West Brewing Co. – Acton – Artistic Hocus-Pocus – Pumpkin / Yam Beer
Wachusett Brewing Co., Westminster – BOO-YEAH! – A Scary Good Spiced Pumpkin Ale and Octoberfest – Rich Amber Harvest Ale
Wormtown Brewery, Worcester & Foxborough, MA – Octoberfest Marzen and Fresh Patch Pumpkin Ale and Table Talk Pumpkin Pie Ale
For more information about Mass. and New England beer and breweries, pick up a copy of Yankee Brew News at a brewery or brew pub, or go to http://yankeebrewnews.com/ and also https://massbrewersguild.org/. For information about U.S. and international breweries, go here: https://www.brewersassociation.org/directories/breweries/
Keeping Track of Craft Beers
While many use an app for tracking their brewery visits, physical journaling is very popular, too. Consider: Keeping Up with Craft Beers: A Journal for Your Tasting Adventures, for yourself or for a gift for a friend. You can keep more detailed records of where you went and what beer you enjoyed. You can list up to 100 beers, as well as list breweries and brew pubs you liked as well as beer festivals.
Fun Gifts for Beer Lovers
Need a gift for someone who likes beer? How about a mug or mask?
Prost! Ein Toast!
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