OktoberFest - Did you Know?

[thekulman]

This weekend is the start of Oktoberfest in the twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo in beautiful southern Ontario,

http://www.oktoberfest.ca/

This city was settled by largely German immigrants in the 1800's and this is the worlds 2nd biggest Oktoberfest celebration, behind only Munich in Germany!

Nothing beats a crisp fall day, enjoying the cool weather and the Autumn colours that an Oktoberfest celebration!

Prosit!

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

No flaunting/bragging/or rubbing it in on this website...;)

[markaberrant]

Yeah, but I've heard that Molson and it's plastic serving cups has muscled it's way into the festival and driven out all the authentic German beers.

[thekulman]

It depends what events you go to. The huge events in the hockey arena's etc... are just big drunks, serving Molson's with only pop music and schnitzel and sausages available so they can call it Oktoberfest.
The smaller events are apt to be more authentic with the music and the food, and yes, even beer.

[cattersley]

Out of curiousity, what is the cost of beer at these events? Does Formosa springs still sponser it?

- Cattersley.

[munich1]

Do you know what German beers will be available at the fest? Any Canadian micros served?

[chazwicke]

I thought the Zinzinatti Festival was 2nd biggest?

[munich1]

The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest claims to be the "biggest" Oktoberfest besides Munich's, and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati claims to be the "largest" after Munich's. Kitchener-Waterloo: "From a modest beginning in 1969, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has grown to become the biggest Bavarian Festival in North America, second in the world only to the original Oktoberfest in Munich." Oktoberfest Zinzinnati: "The Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati tradition began in 1976 as a block party near historic Fountain Square to attract visitors Downtown and to celebrate Cincinnati's deep German heritage. Since its humble beginnings, the event has grown to be recognized as North America's largest Oktoberfest, attracting 500,000 annually."
Who is telling the truth???

[thekulman]

Interesting ... Only one way to find out ...

ROAD TRIP!

In K-W the German halls and restaurants are where you'll find the German beers, better food, music and atmosphere. The big events (hockey arenas). Are just ordinary music, commercial beers, snitzel on a bun or sausage type affairs with the "en Prosit" song thrown in occassionally. They're just big drunks.

Depends what you're into.

Went to the Amsterdam brewery on Sat and picked up some of their just released Oktoberfest beer. A Marzen Lager. Nice, but not enough malt sweetness for me (they roast their own malt for this one). My only other experience to the type was Gordon-Beirsch Marzen, which I really liked. I don't think GB used roasted malt in theirs.

[munich1]

I went to Cincy's Oktoberfest a few years back and had a lot of fun. Looks like I am going to have to make it over to K-W's big fest one of these years to check things out for myself!! Oh the things I have to do in the name of research!