October is my favorite time of year here in Alaska.  The weather is still warm and the summer winds and fog are gone and the days are still long and mostly sunny.  The perfect weather for an Oktoberfest.  Grab a group of friends and head to a campground near or far and spend the weekend celebrating the good things in life friends, food and beer.

History

The Oktoberfest tradition started in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig.  The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities.  The festival became a yearly tradition and over the years it became larger and more elaborate.  Farmers brought out their best produce and livestock for the event.  Revelers were entertained by the tree climbing competitions, wheel barrow and sack races, mush (doesn't that sound appetizing?) eating contests, barrel rolling races, and goose chases.

Oktoberfest Food:

Grilled sausages and brats (veal sausage is traditional but if you have venison or caribou sausage it makes for an unusual addition)

German Potato Salad

Red cabbage and apple dish

Pork tenderloin and apples

Sweet mustard for soft pretzels and sausages

Sauerkraut

Soft pretzels - buy frozen and cook over the campfire

Charcoal-fired fish-on-a-stick (Steckerlfisch).

Cheese plates with bread and fruit

Apple strudel

Kaiserschmarrn, a sugared pancake with raisins.

Pan-roasted, sugar-glazed almonds (gebrannte Mandeln)

Beer - Fall Micro Brew or Brew your own

Fun & Friends:

Bring a CD player, polka cds and have a polka party

Participate in traditional games like three legged and sack races

Organize a game of touch football

Have a sausage eating contest

Fish for the Steckerlfisch

Beer:

The official Oktoberfest beer is of a variety called Märzen. Darker and stronger than traditional beer, Märzen contains up to 6% alcohol, is bottom-fermented, and is lagered for at least 30 days.  For a more modern American Oktoberfest grab some seasonal local micro-brews orget a keg of german beer.

Have fun and enjoy!