Say ‘prost’ to Oktoberfest

It’s that time of the year again, when beer is on everyone’s mind! Yes, Oktoberfest it is. Among the most celebrated German traditions, it sees people all over the world guzzling beer for nearly two weeks now. What began as a Christian sacrament in October 1810 with the wedding of Bavaria’s Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen, Oktoberfest has now become the largest beer festival in the world. Over seven million visitors to Munich savour their pints, washing down sausages and rolls with the frothy brew.

From burnished gold to rich copper, beers of all hues are enjoyed during Oktober-fest. Bavarians love their lager with bottom-fermenting yeasts and only six per cent alcohol. But there are many more varieties on offer. Oktoberfest may be synonymous with warm, beady aromas and toasted maltiness, but in Mumbai, beer lovers gulp just about any brew to commemorate the fest. It is the ‘spirit’ of the festival that counts after all!  

Hard Rock Café offers options like Estrella Galicia from Spai, Tsingtao from China, Corona from Mexico — or TJ’s Zen Weiss Mild or TJ’s Devil Dark Mild, if you fancy draught beers. It isn’t just the beer — authentic Bavarian delicacies like chicken frikadellen, pork goulash, pork krakauer sausage (smoked) and pork currywurst sausage are being offered by restaurants to go along with your drinks. Vegetarians can savour kartoffelpfannkuchen (potato pancakes).

The dry lean, clean tasting crisp lagers are not for me. But more adventurously, I tried the newly launched, bright golden Mahou Clásica, a premium lager, this Oktoberfest. The tinge of fruity flavours appealed to me no end. The faint, elegant malt aroma can be quite enticing actually. It is a scrumptious, refreshing beer with a well-integrated bitter finish and very light balsamic hints.  

I also sampled exquisite German brews like the Paulaner Hefe Weissbier, Schnedier Weisse and Erdinger Weissbier, at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai. Apart from German beers, one could also enjoy craft beers (on tap), White Zen and Doppel Ganger, which are German-style wheat beers.

So beers it has been and shall be, till Sunday. But whether you choose a malty Märzen lager or a lighter festbier, make sure you pair it with a good bratwurst, a hearty roll and a heap of sauerkraut. Prost!

Mini is a food writer