What is Oktoberfest?

You've probably heard of this autumnal celebration that it is often associated with beer because it signifies the start of autumnal brews in the beer industry. Oktoberfest is a German festival celebrating Bavarian culture and while now celebrated worldwide, many of us will be celebrating it at home this year.

However, it doesn't mean it won't be an amazing time! To truly celebrate the authentic flavors of Bavarian culture, you'll need the right equipment to enhance and the flavors of your beer and ignite your celebration.

When is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest varies in dates but it usually starts mid-September and goes into the beginning of October. It typically runs for 16 days with the last day being the first Sunday in October. We say any day is a great day for beer! Sixteen days of celebrating sounds like quite the marathon but considering what we've all been through this year, it is a well-deserved celebration.

Why is Oktoberfest celebrated?

Will you believe that this historic celebration started more than 200 years ago as a wedding celebration? Talk about a party! Today, worldwide we still celebrate the union of Bavaria's Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Who knew a wedding could become a world-recognized celebration? We're thankful for that because who doesn't want to drink beer for 16 days?

What beers are served at Oktoberfest?

Traditionally, all beer served at Oktoberfest must be from one of Munich's six breweries-Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Hofbräu and Löwenbräu. The beer must also follow the very strict quality and brewing standards of the "purity law", known as Reinheitsgebot. This law dictates everything from the ingredients and fermentation process of the beers.

Starting with the ingredients, the beer recipe served can only contain barley, malt, yeast, and hops. Additionally, the beers can only be 6 percent alcohol content post-fermentation and being lagered for more than 30 days.

While it would be great to get your hands on some traditional and authentic German lagers, we think you'll love brewing your own just as much! It'll also be more affordable than importing a keg overseas for your celebration and you can really customize your Oktoberfest experience with your own brew.

How to celebrate at home

Brew your own German Lager.

Whether you're a beginning brewer or a veteran, we have the tools and the knowledge to help you achieve a delicious German Lager for Oktoberfest. You need to first determine if you're extract or all-grain brewing, you can learn more about the difference between these two brewing styles here.

Extract Brewing Essentials

We recommend extract brewing for beginners because it requires less equipment and it is an overall easier brewing process. Extract brewing allows you to surpass the milling and mashing phase of the brewing, which is time-consuming and requires specialized equipment. Here's what you'll need for extract brewing:

• Brew Pot
• Dried or Liquid Malt Extract
• Wort Chiller
• Carboy, bucket, or fermenting vessel
• Keg

For the value and convenience, we recommend checking out some of our Brew Equipment kits.

All-Grain Brewing Essentials

For the veteran brewer or for the new brewer looking for a challenge, all-grain brewing has a more complex process but allows you to customize your end result by adjusting a variety of fo factors. To accomplish this, you'll need the following essentials:

• Grain Mill
• Raw Grain
• Brew Pot
• Wort Chiller
• Carboy, bucket, or fermenting vessel
• Keg

Check out our How to Brew - Oktoberfest Märzen article.

Serve your beer properly.

Serving your beer properly can completely change your Oktoberfest experience. If you do anything for your celebration, we strongly suggest you do this! Get yourself a high-quality kegerator for dispensing your beer because there's nothing the compares to beer straight from the tap. Plus, to really enjoy those complex and authentic Bavarian flavors, you'll need to serve the way they do at Oktoberfest.

A kegerator ensures you get the perfect amount of carbonation, head, and exact serving temperature to bring out all the aromas and flavors of your brew. It also ensures that your brew is going to stay fresh and taste great well beyond the 16 days of Oktoberfest. So, get ready to sip, sip, celebrate!

When it comes to choosing your perfect kegerator for the occasion, you'll want to consider a few factors.

• Capacity - If you're going to be serving up 16 days of beer, you'll need a kegerator with a pretty decent capacity. We recommend selecting one that will fit at least a 5-gallon keg but it's best to go up to a full-sized keg. A kegerator that can contain a full-sized keg can also contain multiple 5-gallon kegs. We recommend the Kegco K Series Kegerators, which all have a capacity wide enough to store a full-sized keg.
• Number of Taps - We love having options and if you're going to celebrating for 16 days, you'll want some variety in your beers. Having multiple taps will allow you to dispense a variety of fo beer simultaneously. You can even create your own flight! Learn more about beer flight here. Check out our Dual Tap and Triple Tap Kegerator options for your celebration.
• Outdoor vs. Indoor - If you're celebrating outside, you'll need kegerators designed to withstand the more extreme conditions of the outdoors. These outdoor kegerators will ensure your beer is served at the perfect temperature every time. There are also many options for indoor kegerators, as well. You can install your indoor kegerator into your countertops or have it freestanding and wheel it about your home. Wherever you decide to celebrate make sure you have the appropriate dispenser because it will truly change your whole experience.

Choose complementing glassware.

Your glassware choices make a huge difference in your celebration experience but especially, in how you taste and enjoy your beer. We have a whole article going into choosing beer glassware here. In particular, to get into the Oktoberfest spirit, you may want to grab some beer mugs or even some steins. However, for the particle home bar owner, versatile glasses are pint or pub glasses. At Beverage Factory, you can even add a customized design to your glasses for the ultimate and memorable Oktoberfest celebration! Head here to learn about customizable glassware.

Prepare to party!

Need help with your Oktoberfest celebration? Chat with our products experts and the perfect celebration, today! Give us a call at 800-710-9939.