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The original Oktoberfest has been held in Munich every September and October since 1810, and is the largest beer festival in the world. The city welcomes over six million visitors for the celebration, with this year’s event having just recently begun. However, if you are not able to make it to Germany in time for the most authentic Oktoberfest there is, then these are some other Oktoberfest festivals around the world that will still provide you with a similar experience.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Canada
The largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, Kitchener and Waterloo are twin cities in Canada that have strong German roots, with Kitchener formerly being called Berlin. The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is a nine-day festival that is held over 18 days, and attracts over a million visitors each year. In addition to the beer-related events and entertainment, there are plenty of other Oktoberfest activities held in the two cities, from the Rocktoberfest concert to the Pancake Breakfast to the Oktoberfest Parade, which is the only major parade held on Canadian Thanksgiving Day.

Oktoberfest of Blumenau, Brazil
Held in the Brazilian city of Blumenau, in the region of Santa Catarina, Oktoberfest of Blumenau is the second largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, and is held at the Germanic Village Park for 17 days. There are numerous traditional German activities held throughout the festival, which is the largest in Latin America, from folk dancing to shooting matches, and, of course, plenty of German food and beer. One of the most highly anticipated events here each year is the National Competition of Chopp in Meter Drinkers, in which competitors have to drink one meter of beer without stopping, with the competition being held each night, and the winner being the competitor who drinks their beer the fastest.

German Bierfest, Hong Kong
Considered to be the best Oktoberfest celebration in Asia, Hong Kong’s German Bierfest is being held this year from October to November, and features a number of different Bavarian events. Officially hosted at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, although many other spots in the city will also be participating, German food and beer is accompanied by traditional folk music from the Notenhobler Band, which has been the official band of Hong Kong’s German Bierfest since 1994. Fun games and activities to look forward to include the strong man competition and the various beer drinking contests.

Oktoberfest Brisbane, Australia
The largest Oktoberfest celebration in Australia, Oktoberfest Brisbane attracts around 30,000 people each year, although they manage to maintain quite an intimate feel to the whole festival. Held over two weekends in October, the festival was first started by two Australian-German families, and while it may have had humble beginnings, it now always promises to be a fun-filled weekend. In addition to the German food and activities, Oktoberfest Brisbane also features traditional German beer that has been brewed specially for their event, and has been held to the exact same standards as the beer that has been brewed for Munich’s Oktoberfest.

There is no denying that for the most authentic Oktoberfest experience, Munich is the place to be. However, there is still plenty of authenticity to be found at the other Oktoberfests all over the world, so whether you happen to be in Hong Kong or Brisbane, you will still be able to enjoy a fun and exciting Oktoberfest.

The cuisine in Germany is as varied as the country’s landscape, and there are a number of traditional local dishes and beverages that travelers to the region should definitely not miss out on. From the many different sausage varieties to the world-famous German beer, here are some of the most popular classic German dishes and drinks.

sausages

Sausages
One of the leading countries when it comes to sausage production, Germany is home to hundreds of varieties of sausage, many of them not known elsewhere, with each area having their own closely-guarded secret recipe. The Thuringian Rostbratwurst is one of the oldest of German sausages, with the original recipe dating back to the start of the 17th century, and is a sausage that is regulated by law. Often used to prepare a currywurst dish, these sausages are seasoned with marjoram and caraway seeds. Bratwurst is another popular variety, as is blutwurst, which is also known as blood sausage. The Teewurst is a mild, air-dried, raw sausage, similar to salami, while the weisswurst, also known as the white sausage, is traditional to the south of Germany, and is a popular variety to eat in the mornings.

German Bier
Germans are exceptionally proud of their beer, and, in the south of the country, you are likely to find a brewery in just about every village. For those who like pale beers, Marzen, which is a malty lager from Bavaria, has a beautifully crisp finish, while Weissbier, which is a wheat beer, has a tantalizing aroma of spicy cloves. On the other hand, Schwarzbier is a black lager that is often just as black as Guinness, but has a lightness about it that is reminiscent of a fine pale lager, while Rauchbier is quite unusual, as it is made from a malt that has been smoked, giving it quite an intense flavor.

Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten
Considered to be one of the national dishes of Germany, sauerbraten is basically a pot roast, and can be made from a number of different meats. Marinated in a special seasoning mix for up to ten days, sauerbraten is an exceptionally flavorful dish, often accompanied with sauerkraut and dumplings, as well as a pint of pilsner beer.

Black Forest Cake
Another classic German dish that is famous all over the world, the key ingredients in a Black Forest Cake are cherries, cherry schnapps, chocolate, cream, flour and sugar. While there may be different varieties of this dish found around the country, German law states that a cake can only be marketed as a Black Forest Cake if it contains the specialty liquor Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser, which is the cherry schnapps that helps to give the dessert its unique flavor.

Food has always been a significant part of German culture, and those traveling around the country are likely to notice a number of differences between the local cuisine in different regions. However, there are key flavors and techniques that tie the country’s cuisine together, and, once you have tasted a few authentic German dishes, you will understand why German food is renowned all over the world.

Tag Archives: German Culture

Best Oktoberfests Around the World

Classic German Beverages and Dishes