Are you getting ready for the enormous beer celebration known as Oktoberfest? Us, too. Brush up on your Oktoberfest traditions with this blog from Anheuser-Busch. (P.S. If you get the chance to make it out to the celebration at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, send us photos!).
Anheuser-Busch has a rich, authentic German brewing history, and we’re always up for a party that celebrates beer.
The Chicken Dance Isn’t Just for Weddings – Sure, this oompa-oompa tune is popular at just about every wedding (depending on who you ask), but it actually has origins as an Oktoberfest tradition. Fun fact: the dance started as “the duck dance.” Keep that tidbit in your back pocket if you ever want to win a bet with your friends.At our Oktoberfest celebrations, there will be traditional German music where you can duck…we mean, chicken dance yourself.
Steins, Steins, Everywhere a Stein – Once upon a time, ornate beer steins were filled to the top with beer and hoisted high. But why? Well, you can thank the Black Plague – which led to a German law requiring all beverage containers be covered to keep flies out. These safety measures, combined with Renaissance-era experimenting in with ceramics and artwork, helped begin a tradition we still enjoy today. We thankfully don’t have to worry about the Black Plague anymore, but at our Oktoberfest events, we will have steins available for purchase. Hold ‘em high!
Food and Beer, Together is Better – Beer may be the most important part of Oktoberfest, but good food is a close second. Traditional German-style Marzen beer – with its clean hop bitterness – goes best with spicy foods such as kielbasas or jalapeno cheeses. For bratwurst and pretzels, think lagers and blonde ales to balance the saltiness. A good rule of thumb is to match aggressiveness of the beer with the strength of the food – delicate foods go well with delicate beers, and vice versa. You can’t go to Oktoberfest without a Bavarian pretzel. Be sure to indulge in one (or a couple) at our breweries.
Follow the Leader – While certainly not a requirement, traditional Bavarian attire can be found at Oktoberfests celebrated around the world. The Lederhosen for men and Dirndls for women date back to the 1800s. A traditional dirndl has a bow, which carries special meaning. Depending on where you tie it, you may be suggesting your relationship status. You will definitely see Lederhosen and Dirndls at Anheuser-Busch Oktoberfest celebrations, so feel free to join in the fun and plan your outfit now.
Now in its second year, our Oktoberfest celebrations will take place this September and October at our brewery Tour Centers in Fairfield, Fort Collins, Jacksonville, Merrimack and St. Louis. For more information, visit BudweiserTours.com. Prost!
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