Oktoberfesting.
16 to 18 days of beer, the best of the ‘wursts of one kind or another, and sauerkraut. That’s probably enough said. But I’ll continue…
2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the world’s most eternal annual wedding party, celebrating the marriage of Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Oktoberfest is traditionally held in Munich, Germany during the end of September and beginning of October, but that doesn’t keep New Yorkers from getting on the train. We got on at the Radegast Hall & Biergarten station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, just off the Bedford stop of the L.
An early Sunday afternoon in the biergarten mid-Oktoberfest turned in to a five-hour affair complete with a sampling of grilled goodies, and sipping on steins that required two hands to lift.
Sunlight streamed in to the biergarten from the skylights and windows overhead, and long rough wooden picnics tables lined both sides of the hall. Parties of two sat beside parties of ten and all clinked steins to *Cheers!* the celebration in appreciation of a good brew.
I stuck strictly to the Paulaner Oktoberfest Weisn, which was pouring on draught for the first time in the U.S.A. only at Radegast. It was light and refreshing to the palette on a sunny-warm-I’m-not-sure-if-it’s-still-summer-or-fall-yet day.
After one cold stein consumed, we descended upon the Grill, which served a variety of sausage, brat-and-other’wursts, pork chops, kielbasa, pulled pork sandwiches and burgers. All meats come with a side of sauerkraut and fries.
A lineup of various mustards and extra ‘krauts allowed you to personalize your selection even more, all together providing the perfect salty complement to the stein.
Oktoberfest intersects smack dab in to Craft Beer Week (which is underway for the week of September 24), both ending on October 3rd. Radegast and other halls and biergartens will continue to celebrate through out the week, with the culmination NYC Oktoberfest street fair event on Sunday, October 3rd on Lexington Avenue from 42nd to 57th Street.
If you are a beer lover, don’t miss out. Be sure to get your hops on this week. Happy Oktoberfest and bottoms up!
[The cutest biermaiden this side of the Atlantic]
