Oktoberfest might be Bavarian in origin, but the popularity of the well-loved beer festival surpasses borders. The Philippines is half a world away, but as a fellow nation of beer lovers, it comes as no surprise that there are many establishments that join the yearly festivities.
German resto-bar Brotzeit, for one, has been celebrating Oktoberfest for 9 years. The establishment has prepared special food items and a special brew to amp up this year’s festivities. Start the meal right with the Gratinated Brezn, a soft German-style pretzel topped with Emmental cheese and bacon bits. The pretzel can also be used to mop up Kostritzer Scharzbier Suppe, a hearty beer soup that warms both the belly and the soul.
A German celebration would not be complete without a laden feast on the table. For this, Brotzeit prepared the Oktoberfestplatte which features the restaurant’s crowd favorites. The start of the platter is Schweinshaxe — a Brotzeit classic which features a beer-marinated hind shank massaged with a proprietary spice mix and cooked until crisp and juicy.
Sausages are a must-have for any German celebration and the platter also contains Nurnberger Stadwurst and Thuringer sausages. For those who prefer a different meat, there is fried chicken and meatloaf made in-house to round out the platter. All of these are accompanied by different dips as well as sauerkraut and German potato salad on the side.
Another Oktoberfest-only food item is the Bayrischer Schweinekrustenbraten which features roast pork belly on a red cabbage salad and paired with a bread and potato dumpling.
Wash down the food with Brotziet’s selection of German and local beers, and for those who want something special, the establishment is offering Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, a smoked Marzen. This is an old German-style beer brewed using smoked malt. On the nose, it is reminiscent of a smoldering campfire while on the mouth, there is a malty creaminess that rounds out the bitter backbone and the overarching smoke.
Brotzeit’s Oktoberfest celebration will run until October 29 at all Brotzeit branches, namely Shangri-La Mall Mandaluyong, Alabang West Parade, and Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City.
