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grillsBlog-feature-Oktoberfest2021

Grilling Around the World - Oktoberfest in Germany

Most people have heard of, if not enthusiastically participated in, the annual German Oktoberfest celebration. Drinking beer, eating German food, and cavorting with friends and strangers alike – what more could you want from a holiday? It’s no wonder the festival has made such a cultural impact all over the world.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the history of Oktoberfest, how it is celebrated around the world, and German recipes that can be prepared on the BBQ at home if you wish to celebrate this year with your friends and family.

Prost! Let’s get started.

 

What is Oktoberfest?

Held each year in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is considered the largest Volksfest (beer festival and traveling funfair) in the world. For a few weeks from mid-September until the first Sunday of October, festival-goers participate in a variety of celebratory activities that involve feasts of traditional German delicacies, entertaining games, cooking classes, costume parties, brewing classes, pub crawls, parades, and, of course, enjoying some German beer.

Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 and is considered an important part of Bavarian culture. The origins of the festival began as the marriage celebration of King Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, where citizens were invited to attend the parties in front of the city gates to celebrate the occasion. Oktoberfest itself was proposed by Franz Baumgartner, a sergeant in the National Guard. While the exact origins of the festival remain uncertain, the modern-day versions all over the world are definitely something to celebrate!

 

How the Rest of the World Celebrates Oktoberfest

While rooted in German culture, the annual festival is not confined to the country, with millions of people celebrating all over the world each year. Global Oktoberfest celebrations were founded by German immigrants and their descendants in a variety of countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, Chile, Russia, Brazil—and so many others that host their own versions.

The largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany takes place in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Attracting over 700,000 visitors each year, you definitely don’t want to miss the festivities. While beer-based activities are undeniably popular, the parade held on Thanksgiving Day is the most well-loved.

 

What People Eat at Oktoberfest

A significant part of Oktoberfest celebrations center around food. German BBQ and other cultural dishes are a highlight that bring tourists to Germany year after year. Here is a list of popular dishes that are consumed during the festival:

 

Oktoberfest Recipe Ideas

Are you celebrating Oktoberfest this year? Here are some easy recipes for you to try on your BBQ!

 

CurryWurst

Recipe Blog - CurryWurst - serve2

One of Germany’s popular street food options, CurryWurst is the perfect delicacy to jumpstart your Oktoberfest celebrations. You can use any fine grind, German-style sausages such as a Bavarian Bratwurst or a Knockwurst. The sausages are pre-cooked and then grilled to perfection to achieve a crispy crust. The brats are sliced into bite-sized portions and tossed in a full-flavored curry-tomato sauce that’s mildly spicy. Perfect to pair with some crispy fries and a mug of beer!

Sounds mouth-watering? Try our BBQ CurryWurst recipe!

 

Charcoal Roasted Chicken

Rest before serving

Roast chicken is an Oktoberfest staple, and you can make your own version at home with this simple and easy Charcoal Roasted Chicken. Truly evoking a sense of celebration, this dish can be served for bigger gatherings where all family members and closest friends attend. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to finish cooking—but you can easily remedy this by passing around cold mugs of Oktoberfest beer.

Want to bring this dish to the table? Master barbecuing chicken with our recipe.

 

Bratwurst Dinner

Serve smothered in sauce

You can’t have a German feast without bratwurst. Cooked in German beer with caramelized onions on top and served on a plate of mashed potatoes, this dish will absolutely melt in your mouth.

Try our delicious Bratwurst with Beer & Onion Gravy recipe.

 

Ready to Celebrate Oktoberfest with your BBQ?

To enjoy cooking more Oktoberfest-inspired BBQ dishes, feel free to browse our selection of charcoal grills, portable grills, or gas grills. Our top-quality products are sure to elevate your cooking experience that will get you in a festive mood!

Do you have your own German-inspired recipes for the BBQ perfect for Oktoberfest? Post and share it with us by tagging us on Instagram. We’d love to see how you’re celebrating this year!

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