Now recognised as a celebration of German food, culture and beer, Oktoberfest actually has roots that date back to the early 19th century.
It all began in 1810 in Munich, Germany when King Ludwig tied the knot. To celebrate his nuptials, he invited the entire city, setting out a massive feast for one and all and organising horse races.
That seemingly one-time event grew into an annual event, first with horse races, and then in 1818, the first beer tents appeared. The event eventually evolved into a carnival-like yearly celebration where beer, sausages and other German food held centre stage alongside German cultural events throughout the city of Munich. Interestingly, the horse racing element is the only part that disappeared from this equation.
The event is now known as Oktoberfest and continues to be held in its birthplace of Munich. Despite its name, from 1872, Oktoberfest was moved to September to take advantage of warmer weather and longer daylight hours.
These days, Oktoberfest typically begins on a Saturday in mid-September and ends on the first Sunday in October.
In Munich, some pomp and ceremony remain as the beer served at the event only comes from six main breweries in the city, with the celebration starting off with the mayor hitting the keg in a symbolic gesture.
Every year, millions of tourists visit Munich for Oktoberfest. The success of the event has resulted in German diaspora communities organising Oktoberfest events and parties in other cities around the world – which in turn, has transformed this Munich specialty into a global celebration.
This 16 October at 7pm, the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) will bring Oktoberfest to Kuala Lumpur, honouring a 216-year-old tradition with live Blasmusik (German brass band or wind music), Trachten (traditional German attire), Bavarian food and long table dining at Hyatt Regency KL at KL Midtown.
On the menu is a wide smorgasbord of German delights, including oven-fresh German breads, German style smoked salmon, a selection of German cold cuts and cheese, a Munich-style sausage salad and Erbsensuppe (pea soup with sliced frankfurter sausages and potatoes).
In keeping with tradition, the event will also serve up various kinds of sausages including Munich-style poached veal sausages and frankfurters with German potato salad in Kaiser rolls.
The main courses meanwhile will highlight a carnivorous Bavarian bounty, including a large Bavarian meat platter showcasing chicken schnitzel, meat loaf and rotisserie chicken alongside spatzle pfanne or German homemade noodles with cream, mountain cheese and crispy onions.
Desserts will feature a classic apple strudel; and Kaiserschmarrn or shredded caramelised pancake with rum raisin ice-cream, berry compote and vanilla sauce.
To tie this all together, there will be Paulaner beer – a historic German brewery founded in Munich in 1634 that is one of the six official Oktoberfest Munich breweries.
The Oktoberfest dinner is priced at RM480 per person for non MGCC members and RM420 for members.
Bookings can be made here.
