As the summer draws to a close, as the trees are turning colors, the best part of the season is upon us. Oktoberfest. You may not know who the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese are. But if you are reading this you probably know why they are famous. They got married in 1810 and we are still using that as an excuse for Beer mayhem and merriment a couple centuries later.
Its the the time of year of mild smooth malty lagers,1 liter steins, and dirndls and lederhosen. Blue and white pennants on strings, oom-pah loom-pah bands and all the rest.
The traditional beers for this event are typically lagers, easy on alcohol and hops, but long on smooth mellow maltiness. Often characterized as “session-able”. This means they are made for and intended to be consumed over the course of a long afternoon/evening. At typically 4-5.5 % ABV you will as likely get full of the beer before you get too tipsy. Though there are “pros” out there that can do it.
Plenty of Events coming up
There are a string of Oktoberfest events in the Boise area strategically spanning 3 weeks or so, to help celebrate this 200+ year old tradition. Payette Brewing and Das Aplenhaus hosted their events the weekend of the 18th-20th. If you missed these, like I did, coming up this weekend and next, are several others to check out.
Barbarian Brewing is hosting their event at their east Garden City location on 32nd. A terrific patio, just off the greenbelt will hopping Friday and Saturday with live music and food trucks. Barbarian’s website calendar as well as their beer.social page describes it as “a 2 day “all day” event and no entry fee is mentioned.
Powderhaus Brewing Co. in west Garden City is having their festival on the 25th and 26th, 3pm till close with outdoor patio and live music. will be on tap as well as a few authentic imports from the fatherland will be on tap as well as a Marzen made on site by Schmidt’s Bierkeller. Gunter’s Food and The Humble Food Trucker will be there with fest inspired food. There is no “cover charge” for the event but custom glassware will be available for purchase. Bert’s Brewing is also “festing” both days at their Brown st location in Garden City.
More Festing !
The “Old Boise” Oktoberfest will be held downtown at 6th and Grove in the Basque Block on Friday the 25th from 2 til 10pm. There will also be a mini car-show of vintage Volkswagen cars and busses on display as well as the classic food and beverages you would expect. . Tickets are 10/5$ for adults/kids at this one. Most of the info for this is on their FaceBook page. On the 26th, Danelion Brewing in association with the Melba Chamber of Commerce brewing is putting on its own mini fest at their brewery/taproom on Hwy 45 about 10 miles south of Nampa.
As we get in to Oktober, Thursday the first, is ‘Socktober Fest’ at Sockeye Brewing. With 4 featured beers and a multi-course German “Feast”, it should impress. Tickets are here. The flowing Saturday, on the 3rd is Loose Screw Beer company’s turn. More information on their Instagram page.
All of these participating Boise area establishments will still have our American favorites, IPAs and stouts etc, but this time of year most places will find room on their tap list for a few German style lagers for us “festers”. Happy Anniversary, Ludwig and Therese.
-Cheers
