Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is celebrating its 33rd year in downtown Cincinnati this weekend. It seems tradition that every year is bigger than the last, and this year's prospective 500,000 visitors, hundreds of kegs, and slew of German food has BuyCincy writers counting down the days (72 hours, or 4,320 minutes, or 259,200 seconds). To alleviate your wait, BuyCincy has brought together a fantastic panel of some of our favorite Oktoberfest patrons. Timothy Holian (author of "Over the Barrel" volumes one and two), Tom Harten (co-owner and operator of Mecklenburg Gardens), Greg Hardman (owner of Christian Moerlein), Michael Osborne (brewmaster of BarrelHouse Brewery), Mike Dewey (brewmaster/owner of Mt. Carmel Brewing Company), and Chuck Boyce (brewer at Cincy's newest craft brewery, Listermann's) will be offering perspectives on Oktoberfest Zinzinnati's past and present, to name a few.
Oktoberfest History: Tom Harten and Timothy Holian
Oktoberfest began in 1810, when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (don't worry, Therese will generally suffice). Over the course of several decades the event evolved from an honorary horse race to a festival more like its contemporary American counterpart.
Oktoberfest began in 1810, when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (don't worry, Therese will generally suffice). Over the course of several decades the event evolved from an honorary horse race to a festival more like its contemporary American counterpart.
This is not to say the two are entirely comparable, as the München festival attracts millions, lasting for several weeks. Cincinnatians seem pretty content with their own "people's fair," (which does carry the title of the largest Oktoberfest in North America) and we at BuyCincy feel that five million downtown for a month would be a bittersweet affair.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati proper began in 1976 as a simple block party with ties to the regional chamber of commerce and Hudepohl, but some assert that its roots in Cincinnati are much older, and a bit grittier.
Click here to read the rest of "Oktoberfest History: Tom Harten and Timothy Holian"
Cincinnati Brewing and Cincinnati Brewers: Michael Osborne, Mike Dewey, Chuck Boyce, and Greg Hardman
We asked four of our favorite local brewers to weigh in on this year's Oktoberfest, and were met with enthusiasm from each. BarrelHouse Brewery, Mt. Carmel Brewing Co., and Christian Moerlein will all be offering some seasonal (and some completely new!) brews this weekend. We also asked Cincinnati's newest brewers at Listermann's to discuss craft brewing in the city.
Greg Hardman: Owner of Christian Moerlein Brewery
Since his purchase of the company name in 2005, Greg Hardman has turned the Christian Moerlein name into a Cincy brewing "phoenix from the ashes." Just as Christian Moerlein was once the juggernaut Cincy brewing, Greg Hardman has become synonymous with its return.
Do you, as a modern Cincy craft brewer, feel particularly connected to Oktoberfest and its relation to Cincy's brewery district?
This year's Oktoberfest will begin at 11:30am on the square, when Jim Koch, founder Sam Adams Brewery, taps the first keg of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati beer. Sam Adams is by far the closest to local sponsorship Oktoberfest has had in modern years (Sam Adams brews extensively on Central Pkwy, near Liberty; Koch is also a Cincy native).
Click here to read the rest of "Oktoberfest History: Tom Harten and Timothy Holian"
Cincinnati Brewing and Cincinnati Brewers: Michael Osborne, Mike Dewey, Chuck Boyce, and Greg Hardman
We asked four of our favorite local brewers to weigh in on this year's Oktoberfest, and were met with enthusiasm from each. BarrelHouse Brewery, Mt. Carmel Brewing Co., and Christian Moerlein will all be offering some seasonal (and some completely new!) brews this weekend. We also asked Cincinnati's newest brewers at Listermann's to discuss craft brewing in the city.
We've highlighted different responses from each, with full interviews available by clicking the name of each interviewee. Please check out the full interviews from any brewer you're particularly excited about, and make sure to stop by each of their stands this Saturday. As always, enjoy and drink locally!
Michael Osborne: Brewmaster at BarrelHouse Brewery
Michael has taken over the reigns of BarrelHouse in the wake of Rick Debar's departure. Mike was Rick's former assistant, and his return in June bodes extremely well for BarrelHouse lovers. Make sure you stop by BarrelHouse's booth to try out this year's Oktoberfest Lager, brewed right here in West End!
How do you, as a craft brewer, feel about the sponsorship change from Anheuser to Boston Beer Co. for this year's festival?
Mike Dewey: Brewmaster/Owner of Mt. Carmel Brewing Co.
Mike has been at the helm of Mt. Carmel since its inception in 2005 in Union Township. Mt. Carmel has been notable in its almost immediate rise to the top of beer ratings. Offering a selection of four beers until now, Mt. Carmel will be premiering its newest brew, the IPA, at this weekend's festival.
Do you, as a modern Cincy craft brewer, feel particularly connected to Oktoberfest and its connection to Cincy's brewery district?
Chuck Boyce: Brewer and Worker at Listermann's Brewery Supply Store
Chuck has been a regular face behind the counter at Listermann's Brewery Supply Store. As of late, he's also a commercial brewer. Listermann's premiered their "Wild Mild Ale" just weeks ago, and with "Cream Ale" on the way, we're rather excited about this newest edition to Cincy Brewing.
Chuck expressed some excitement about the future of craft brewing in Oktoberfest, saying, "In the past it's always been run by big business. The big boys controlled what beer was served." In our brief interview, Chuck alluded to both an optimistic outlook on brewing in Cincy, while lamenting the loss of some of our older institutions. "I think that's [the Sam Adams sponsorship] great. The sad thing is that there are so few brewpubs left in Cincinnati. Rockbottom, and now BJ's are the only ones I know of. We need more."
Michael Osborne: Brewmaster at BarrelHouse Brewery
Michael has taken over the reigns of BarrelHouse in the wake of Rick Debar's departure. Mike was Rick's former assistant, and his return in June bodes extremely well for BarrelHouse lovers. Make sure you stop by BarrelHouse's booth to try out this year's Oktoberfest Lager, brewed right here in West End!
How do you, as a craft brewer, feel about the sponsorship change from Anheuser to Boston Beer Co. for this year's festival?
- It's great to see an actual Cincinnati brewery sponsor the event. Sam Adams is a great friend to the craft brewing industry and has always been a friend to us. Sam Adams' Cincinnati location is a stone's throw from the BarrelHouse brewery and I can smell that oh-so-familiar smell of the mash being cooked on an almost daily occasion, it reminds me of the great brewing heritage of Cincinnati. I'm glad to see Sam can take over sponsorship of the event.
Mike has been at the helm of Mt. Carmel since its inception in 2005 in Union Township. Mt. Carmel has been notable in its almost immediate rise to the top of beer ratings. Offering a selection of four beers until now, Mt. Carmel will be premiering its newest brew, the IPA, at this weekend's festival.
Do you, as a modern Cincy craft brewer, feel particularly connected to Oktoberfest and its connection to Cincy's brewery district?
- The 2008 Cincinnati Oktoberfest is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years with regard to a connection with local brews. We are looking forward to participating for the first time and contributing to this great tradition. I don't feel our involvement in 2008 necessarily reflects any connection with a historic Cincy brewery district, but rather the next chapter. This event began 32 years ago while the oldest participating local brewery was purchased 11 years ago. This event is important however to the modern breweries operating here today. We have all been given the opportunity to showcase our products to a growing market and bring awareness to our industry. Heck, we all get to eat really good German sausage too.
Chuck has been a regular face behind the counter at Listermann's Brewery Supply Store. As of late, he's also a commercial brewer. Listermann's premiered their "Wild Mild Ale" just weeks ago, and with "Cream Ale" on the way, we're rather excited about this newest edition to Cincy Brewing.
Chuck expressed some excitement about the future of craft brewing in Oktoberfest, saying, "In the past it's always been run by big business. The big boys controlled what beer was served." In our brief interview, Chuck alluded to both an optimistic outlook on brewing in Cincy, while lamenting the loss of some of our older institutions. "I think that's [the Sam Adams sponsorship] great. The sad thing is that there are so few brewpubs left in Cincinnati. Rockbottom, and now BJ's are the only ones I know of. We need more."
Greg Hardman: Owner of Christian Moerlein Brewery
Since his purchase of the company name in 2005, Greg Hardman has turned the Christian Moerlein name into a Cincy brewing "phoenix from the ashes." Just as Christian Moerlein was once the juggernaut Cincy brewing, Greg Hardman has become synonymous with its return.
Do you, as a modern Cincy craft brewer, feel particularly connected to Oktoberfest and its relation to Cincy's brewery district?
- Greater Cincinnati is host to many great Oktoberfest events throughout September and October. At Moerlein, we strive to celebrate our Cincinnati heritage, thus when you drink Moerlein Lagers & Ales you get an authentic story with every beer, and that would include our original heritage in the Brewery District. For example, we brew Moerlein Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest Märzen as a tribute to the People of Zinzinnati and our Oktoberfest. Our label artwork celebrates this with our rendition of the "Genius of Water," featuring dressed pigs in lederhosen. We state that when pigs fly, beer will flow from the fountains. Unfortunately, pigs only fly in our dreams, but our heritage is brought to you through our great beer and yes, that includes the heritage of the brewery district, OTR, and the Tyler-Davidson Fountain located on Fountain Square. It should also be pointed out that the "Genius of Water" on Fountain Square and the Bayern statue, a monument to Bavarian patriotism -which stands tall on the grounds of Oktoberfest in Munich- were cast at the same German foundry. [Ed. note: And the T.D. fountain was sculpted by the son of the artist who created the Bayern statue!] At Moerlein, we feel the connection.
- Is there anything better than doing the chicken dance and then partying with your friends?
Cincinnati Octoberfest Weekend Guide
This year's Oktoberfest will begin at 11:30am on the square, when Jim Koch, founder Sam Adams Brewery, taps the first keg of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati beer. Sam Adams is by far the closest to local sponsorship Oktoberfest has had in modern years (Sam Adams brews extensively on Central Pkwy, near Liberty; Koch is also a Cincy native).
We're also excited to see one of the many craft breweries out there (who still account for less than ten percent of major beer sales) take charge of one of the largest beer festivals in the world. The only larger Oktoberfest is in, you guessed it, Munich.
Festivities for the festival are already underway this year, with the Gemuetlichkeit games today and tomorrow at noon on the square, the kickoff party at Mecklenburg Gardens tonight, and John Morrell's "racing of the wieners" on the square Friday at noon. Whether or not you thoroughly enjoy stein or dog races, these are sure to be a great time.
Saturday will kick off with a humorous parade into the square at 11, followed by the tapping of the kegs at 11:30, and what is anticipated to be the world's largest chicken dance at noon. (Chicken dance locally?...) Sunday brings an authentic Bavarian band, "Hopfenblaeser," across the pond to perform at the Sam Adams biergarten from 11-2. If none of these events are for you, enjoy your brat anyway, and acknowledge that Germans have a truly bizarre sense of humor.
If you're just going to drift around and enjoy the food, we borrowed some of these delicious statistics from the regional chamber of commerce. Oktoberfest patrons consume:
More than eight miles of metts
29 Empire State Buildings of bratwurst
27 Eiffel Towers of soft pretzels
More than eight Boeing 747s of cream puffs
Along with Sam Adams, these breweries will be on hand: Christian Moerlein, BarrelHouse Brewery, Mt. Carmel Brewing Co., Spaten, Erdinger, Beck's, Warsteiner, Great Lakes, and Woodchuck. As you can see, your selection will be tremendously limited...
Finally, we at BuyCincy invite you to head down Oktoberfest yourself, or even to one of its smaller events. We're sure you'll find something or somewhere that you might never have noticed. Truthfully, you deserve a beer after reading this entire article; and, as our friend Tim put it, "You don't need a reason to party."
General images and information provided by Cincinnati USA and Chris Kemper, at www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com. More information is provided there, as well.
Festivities for the festival are already underway this year, with the Gemuetlichkeit games today and tomorrow at noon on the square, the kickoff party at Mecklenburg Gardens tonight, and John Morrell's "racing of the wieners" on the square Friday at noon. Whether or not you thoroughly enjoy stein or dog races, these are sure to be a great time.
Saturday will kick off with a humorous parade into the square at 11, followed by the tapping of the kegs at 11:30, and what is anticipated to be the world's largest chicken dance at noon. (Chicken dance locally?...) Sunday brings an authentic Bavarian band, "Hopfenblaeser," across the pond to perform at the Sam Adams biergarten from 11-2. If none of these events are for you, enjoy your brat anyway, and acknowledge that Germans have a truly bizarre sense of humor.
If you're just going to drift around and enjoy the food, we borrowed some of these delicious statistics from the regional chamber of commerce. Oktoberfest patrons consume:
More than eight miles of metts
29 Empire State Buildings of bratwurst
27 Eiffel Towers of soft pretzels
More than eight Boeing 747s of cream puffs
Along with Sam Adams, these breweries will be on hand: Christian Moerlein, BarrelHouse Brewery, Mt. Carmel Brewing Co., Spaten, Erdinger, Beck's, Warsteiner, Great Lakes, and Woodchuck. As you can see, your selection will be tremendously limited...
Finally, we at BuyCincy invite you to head down Oktoberfest yourself, or even to one of its smaller events. We're sure you'll find something or somewhere that you might never have noticed. Truthfully, you deserve a beer after reading this entire article; and, as our friend Tim put it, "You don't need a reason to party."
General images and information provided by Cincinnati USA and Chris Kemper, at www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com. More information is provided there, as well.
Very good work. I did not have a chance to post a comment last week. It is great to see that even with a festival of this size, the local companies have such a large impact and an important role.
it is great for understanding the way of living of each other. Good luck and go on like this. Anneliese