Filipinos have a penchant for beer so it comes as no surprise that the country also partakes in the Bavarian festival Oktoberfest. What started as a wedding celebration in 1810 has now become the largest beer festival in the world.
The Philippines also has its own versions, usually done by different establishments and brands. However, for those who are looking for an authentic Oktoberfest experience, the one hosted by The German Club of the Philippines reigns supreme. For this year’s festivities, the club has partnered again with Solaire Resort and Casino for the 2-day beer festival.
Attendees can enjoy a spread of authentic German favorites to munch on during the festivities. These include pretzels and other breads, as well as a spread of German cold cuts and cheese. The platter is composed of Pfefferbeisser or German salami, meat loaf, Black Forest Ham, mountain cheese, Bavaria blue cheese, Bavarian beer cheese spread or Obatzda, beer radish, and red radish. Other appetizers include the classic German Salad and a Munich-Style Sausage Salad.
No German festivity would be incomplete without a selection of sausages. For the Oktoberfest, guests can enjoy Weisswurst, a poached white sausage made out of veal and pork back bacon. It is served in a tureen with its own poaching liquid and is best paired with sweet mustard and a pretzel or 2. The Sausage Sampler comes loaded with 3 different sausages, from the grilled coarse pork sausage, to Frankfurter sausage, and Veal bratwurst paired with sauerkraut and roasted potatoes.
For those who want something heavier, the Bavarian Meat Platter is the choice for you. This dish features Schweinshaxe — the German cousin of our Crispy Pata, Pork Schnitzel, meat loaf, and roasted chicken, all served with bread dumpling and onion jus. Meanwhile, the Spaetzle Pan with is cream, mountain cheese and crispy onion sauce is an unassuming flavor bomb.
You can end the meal on a sweet note with Kaiserschmarrn which is a shredded pancake mixed with rum raisin and served with berry compote and Vanilla sauce or a slice of Strudel with its apple and walnut streusel topped with Vanilla sauce and Vanilla ice cream.
The star of Oktoberfest is undoubtedly the beer and for this year, over 10,000 liters of free-flowing beer from Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, the oldest brewery in the world will be available for beer lovers. Guests can enjoy unlimited mugs of the brewery’s famed Weissbier during the 2-day festival.
The event will be held at The Tent at Solaire. They can be purchased online or at the Solaire Box Office which is open from 12:00nn to 9:00pm daily. Tickets will also be available on event day at the door, with prices ranging from 4,950 to P8,130 depending on your section.
