It’s like the Mardi Gras of Munich! For nearly two centuries, Germany has celebrated Oktoberfest with an 18-day festival featuring music, games, amusement rides, candy making, and traditional foods which consist of (you guessed it!) beers and brats! People come from all over the world to get in on the fun. It’s so popular that cities across the U.S. have created their own Oktoberfest events! Smart thinking, guys!
Hey, I don’t need an excuse to party! You know me, I’ll make something up if I have to! But now everyone has a built-in reason to have friends over to the house this weekend. This party can’t get any easier and it’s great for kids too! Here’s what you’ll need:
Bratwurst Fixings
Yep, you’re gonna need a selection of sausages. In Germany they grill ‘em. There are also fancy recipes for simmering in beer. You pick! Add hot dogs for the kiddos (if you think they’ll turn their nose up at bratwurst.) Brats are traditionally served on rolls with mustard or plated atop sauerkraut with potatoes on the side. Boiled potatoes are a bit of a bore in my book, so doing them up roasted with herbs is a better substitute as far as I’m concerned. Vegetarians in the group? Serve hot-from-the-oven pretzels with different cheese dips! No vegetarians? Serve the pretzels anyway!
Beer (Lots of It!)
If you’ve got beer steins, get ‘em out! Having a giant mug with a handle looks so much more authentic than red plastic Silo cups or pilsner glasses! If it’s a big group, consider getting a keg or mini-keg at your local liquor store filled with Hefeweizen or a German beer of your choice. Seriously, don’t get Bud Light or Corona, save those for your next tailgating gig or Cinco de Mayo.
Games
Since you’re not gonna be able to install carnival rides in your yard (unless you’re super rich or some kind of engineering genius!) set up a few games and have fun dollar-store prizes for the kids. Bean bag toss into buckets, croquet, pictionary with markers and a large tablet on an easel.
Bavarian Decor
Print some German coat of arms and attach them to twine. Then, hang them on a wall or fence with some twinkle lights. If you have wood barrels, use them to set food on. Encourage guests to dress the part with men in suspenders or lederhosen and women in dirndl dresses (a lacy kitchen apron over an a-line dress works too!). Halloween’s in two weeks, so your costume can pull double-duty!
Prost everyone!
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