Beer Release: NW: Coming Soon ... Ninkasi Oktoberfest Dortmund-style Lager
It's only August and already we are talking about Oktober-fest. We're aware of the fact that the spelling is wrong. But there's good reason, Oktoberfest is coming to a September near you.
History of Oktoberfest, as told by Wikipedia
Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival celebrating beer held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Running from late September to the first weekend in October, it is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year. To the locals, it is not called Oktoberfest, but "die Wiesn", after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds themselves. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the original Munich event.
The Munich Oktoberfest originally took place during the sixteen days up to, and including, the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival would go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. In 2010, the festival lasted until the first Monday in October, to mark the anniversary of the event. The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called Wiesn for short, located near Munich's center. Large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed, with almost 7 million liters served during the 16 day festival in 2007. Visitors may also enjoy a wide variety of traditional food such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl (sausages) along with Brezeln (Pretzel), Knödel (potato or bread dumplings), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Rotkohl/Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread) and Weisswurst (a white sausage).
So now that you know what Oktoberfest is you won't mind Ninkasi your bratwurst with their 2nd Prismatic Lager release. Introducing Oktoberfest, a 2nd look at the Dortmund-style from the brewers that gave you Tricerahops, Believer, and anything else that starts with the words Ninkasi Brewing.
Here's the breweries explanation on why their Oktoberfest is better than yours
This Dortmund-style lager is the second Prismatic Lager Series release this year following the spring release of Sterling Pils. Established in 2011 with the introduction of Ninkasi’s Helles Belles, the Prismatic Lager Series was created to highlight Ninkasi offerings that are Northwest embellishments of traditional lager styles.
“We are very excited to bring our Dortmund-style lager into the Prismatic Lager Series as Oktoberfest,” says Jamie Floyd, founding brewer and co-owner of Ninkasi. “Neither a helles nor pilsner, this style embodies a perfect balance of malt and hops that is neither sweet nor bitter.”
Celebrate the harvest like our friends in Munich, and cheers to the changing of seasons!
Beer geek information for home brew cloners out there.
ABV: 5.1
IBU: 25
Starting Gravity: 1050
Malt: Pilsner, Vienna, Carahell, Acidulated
Hops: German Magnum, German Hersbrucker
Description: Highly drinkable and with a slight malty sweetness, Dortmund-style lagers were first brewed in 19th century Dortmund, Germany and were favored by the city’s industrial workers. Ours is golden in color with a clean balance, perfect for enjoying after a hard day’s work or anytime. Cheers!
Tasting Notes: The hallmark of this Dortmund-style pale lager is the balance between perceptible Noble Hop bitterness and rounded malt flavor; making it deliciously easy to drink.
Food Pairings: Sausages, Schnitzels, Spaetzles, Trout, Fondue, Potato Salad
Look for this and other Ninkasi beers at bottle shops and pubs throughout the Northwest (including Canada). As with everything, if you can't draft or bottles of Ninkasi Oktoberfest ask the server or grocer to buy some!
Cheers
About Ninkasi Brewing Company
Founded in 2006 by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi Brewing Company continues to grow from its first batch of Total Domination IPA, to a 55-barrel brewing system located in Eugene, Ore. Ninkasi’s Flagship beers—Total Domination IPA, Tricerahops Double IPA, Believer Double Red, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, and Vanilla Oatis Oatmeal Stout—are sold throughout Oregon, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and British Columbia. Committed to community support and giving, Ninkasi’s Beer Is Love program offers in-kind donations and support for organizations throughout its footprint.