"oktoberfest" news and stories

Oktoberfest and German-Style Beers Worth Cracking

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest-Märzen
Hacker-Pschorr's roots stretch back to the early 15th century, when the Hacker brewery was born in Munich. Over the following 500 years, the German concern has maintained its rep with first-rate brews such as the wheaty, banana-tinged Weisse and this Oktoberfest release. The clear copper beauty boasts a bready aroma mixed with a bit of apples; on the palate, there's a hint of floral hops and bitterness, while the brew closes sharp with a moderately dry finish.

Avery The Kaiser
Most Oktoberfest brews check in around 5 percent ABV; this offering from Boulder, Colorado's Avery rates a potent 10 percent ABV. However, the high ABV is backed by serious flavor, with notes of caramel, maple and toasted bread on the nose. The taste follows suit, but instead of being syrupy it remains drinkable thanks to generous carbonation. A couple glasses of these, and you'll sing an oom-pah tune post-haste.

Unless you live in the South or in Southern California, temperatures are beginning to drop in spurts and stops. Whatever the temperature, whether the leaves are beginning to turn in your part of the country, celebrations of national and local foodways show no sign of slowing down, as can be seen by this month's selection of festivals.

Latin Food & Wine Festival, Orlando, Fla., Oct. 1-2: It's impossible to exaggerate the influence of Latin Americans and their foods in Florida. The long-time presence of Puerto Ricans, Cubans and a smattering of Brazilians has transformed the Sunshine State into what many consider a part of Latin American in and of itself. Recently, other Latin American populations have made Florida home, making culinary in-roads. It's no wonder, then, that this celebration of Latin American cuisine in Florida is a big hit with restaurants and locals. The event, sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort (the latter another cornerstone of Florida's identity), among many others, is split into two functions: Savor the Night and the Grand Tasting. Both will feature some of Florida's premiere Latin American restaurants showcasing their food and wine selections. However, Savor the Night will only seat 300 guests for a dinner, but the second night's event will offer one dollar tastings for all-comers.

Bacon-wrapped dates. Photo: YumSugar.

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

The salty-sweet pleasure of bacon-wrapped dates.

Honey cake is a sweet way to ring in the Jewish New Year.

Spain can now boast the honor of the world's longest restaurant table -- over three quarters of a mile long!

Bratwurst is a must when throwing an Oktoberfest celebration.

In a bid to waste less food and energy, college cafeterias prep to go tray-less.

That classic steak and potato dinner can be turned into a tasty salad.

Do you care if your dining companions order the same dish you're having?

• Rosh Hashanah starts on a Monday this year, which means it could be a bit challenging for working folks to get a festive meal on the table. Try some of these do-ahead tips to make your holiday run smoothly.
• Jose Garces and Marc Vetri are inspiring a new wave of chefs in Philadelphia and making their mark with multiple restaurants and now, new cookbooks.
• Marc Vetri has worked to bring true Italian cooking to a town that has thrived on red sauce and meatballs for years.
• Iron Chef winner Jose Garces has made latino food cool in a city that was ready for a break from French and Italian cuisines.
• This week, you'll find a mortar and pestle, Annie's cucumber yogurt salad dressing and square, Moroccan-style dishes in the Market Basket.
• The Rush Hour Gourmet is cooking up Sauteed Scallops With Honey-Onion Chutney.
• Rick Nichols checks out the Oktoberfest menu at the City Tavern and ponders the dearth of German restaurants in a city that was home to the first German settlement in the New World.

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• You too can plan your own little Oktoberfest dinner.
• Hey, even kids can be good cooks.
• Just how healthy are those 100 calorie snack packs?
• It's just about turkey season!
• Milkshakes...for adults!
• Is there really such a thing as a healthy donut?
• This week's recipes: Basil Pesto, Grilled Fish Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Carrot Slaw, Falafel, Chicken Basquaise, and Prune Plum Kuchen.