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<p>We celebrate Oktoberfest by attending festivals all over the Wyoming Valley. We drink beer, eat brats and listen to German Oompah bands but do we really know the history behind this fall festival?</p><p>On Oct. 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Germany married Princess Teresa of Sassonia-Hildburghausen in Munich. The citizens were invited to celebrate this union in the fields in front of the gate to the city. These fields became known as Theresienwiese, or Teresa&#8217;s Meadow, in honor of the princess. The closing ceremonies included horse races and a feast that included beer. Hence, the birth of Oktoberfest.</p><p>In October of 1811, the people of Munich decided to hold an agricultural fair to promote the Bavarian economy. The fair was held again in 1812, but later cancelled due to the war against Napoleon. In 1814 the fair was on again with one ride and two swings added in 1818. A year later, citizens of Munich assumed the responsibility of Oktoberfest and made it an annual event.</p><p>Over the years, several things were added to Oktoberfest: the statue of Bavaria, built by Johann Baptist Stiglmaier and Leo Von Klenze which has watched over Oktoberfest grounds since 1850. Lighting was added in 1885 and the parade was re-established in 1887. Since 1892, beer halls were built to replace wooden huts and beer was served in glass jugs.</p><p>In 1910, the 100th anniversary of Oktoberfest was celebrated. More than 250,000 pints of beer were consumed, a record for that time. In order to accommodate more people the Braurosl was built, a massive tent capable of holding 12,000 seats. In 1933, the blue and white Bavarian flag was replaced with the Nazi swastika.</p><p>Since its inception, Oktoberfest was cancelled a few times. During the war against Napoleon, the cholera epidemics of 1854 and 1873, the war against Prussia in 1866 and World War II from 1939 to 1945.</p><p>Tragedy hit the Oktoberfest on Sept. 26, 1980 when a bomb exploded at the main entrance. The bomb was made from a vacuum filled fire extinguisher. Thirteen people were killed and more than 200 were wounded. The attack was blamed on Gundolf Kohler, a right wing extremist who died in the blast.</p><p>Oktoberfest in Munich has a colorful history which includes the consumption of a boat load of beer by over a million people a year. One of the beers served at Oktoberfest is high on my favorite list, Spaten Oktoberfest. This beer is and has been in my top three when it comes to beer. This could be my No. 1. This is by far the best Oktoberfest on the market. Whenever I get a chance to buy a glass or two or even a case or two I do.</p><p><strong>Sight:</strong> Spaten Oktoberfest pours a nice clear copper/amber color with a hearty white head that lasts through several sips. I get shivers down my spine when I pour a tall pilsner glass of Spaten. It&#8217;s such a beautiful sight seeing the effervescence bubbling up through this German nectar.</p><p><strong>Aroma:</strong> Your first whiff will be filled with an aroma of malty bread and earthly hops followed by back notes of caramel and a slight taste of prune. Don&#8217;t be alarmed, the prune has a very faint note. You get a nice floral aroma that mixes in perfectly with the malt and hops aromas.</p><p><strong>Taste:</strong> Many beer experts think Spaten Oktoberfest is bland. I disagree. This beer is a straight forward Oktoberfest steeped in tradition. Not a lot of complexity, but a straight forward Marzen style beer. When you take your first sip you get a healthy taste of malty sweetness. This is followed by back notes of caramel, earthly spices and a slight hint of prune. All the flavors combine nicely for a smooth, crisp finish.</p><p>Try Spaten Oktoberfest with a brat or dog cooked on the grill with a splattering of spicy brown mustard. The temperatures outside are starting to cool off and a Spaten would go great around the fire pit with good friends. You can pick up Spaten Oktoberfest at many local beer distributors.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Jim McCabe The Beer Meister </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_james1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Jim McCabe The Beer Meister </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_spaten.jpg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Jim McCabe</p><p>The Beer Meister</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>The Beer Meister is a new column that will appear twice a month in the Times Leader</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p style="text-align: left;">Jim McCabe is an avid beer enthusiast and the circulation manager for the Times Leader.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

The Beer Meister: The celebration of Oktoberfest is rooted deep in history and tradition