Oktoberfest is here again!

Traditionally, Oktoberfest takes place during the 16 days up to and including the first Sunday in October. This year, the 'real' festival began in Munich on September 22. In Singapore, however, Oktoberfest runs for only a week from October 3 - 9, although there are places organising 'belated' festivals.

The lively atmosphere and the availability of specially brewed beer ensure that this is never a dull season for beer lovers. As Alexander Buchner, Paulaner Brauhaus' brewmaster puts it, "it's the only time of the year when people can get drunk without having to find excuses."

How did Oktoberfest come about?

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to commemorate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Munich's citizens were invited to join in the festivities, which included horse races. In fact, it was the decision to repeat the horse races in subsequent years that led to the annual Oktoberfest. Beers only became the central feature of the festival around 1896, when the first beer tents and halls were set up by enterprising landlords, backed by breweries.

While the year 2007 marks the 197th anniversary of the Oktoberfest, this is actually the 174th time the festival has been held - the festival has been called off many times due to war, disease and other emergencies.

"Oktobeer-fest"

Oktoberfest is synonymous with beer, and it is not unusual to hear some deliberately calling it "Oktobeer-fest". Oktoberfest beer is specially brewed for the occasion and has higher alcohol content (6% vol) than regular beer (5% vol). Like all beers made in Germany, Oktoberfest beer is brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot, or Purity Law, which dates back to 1516.

What makes Oktoberfest beer special is not just the higher alcohol content, although that is undoubtedly one of its attractions. It also has a stronger taste, darker colour, and a dryer, "cleaner" finish. Of course, the fact that you can only enjoy it once a year makes it an extra special treat.

Interestingly enough, the term "Oktoberfest beer" can only be used by the six Munich breweries which take part in the real Oktoberfest in Munich each year. One of them is Paulaner Brauhaus which has a microbrewery in Singapore. This means that if you are looking for genuine, freshly-brewed Oktoberfest beers in Singapore, Paulaner Brauhaus is the place to go.

If you are wondering if there is any difference between freshly-brewed beer and its bottled counterparts from an industrial brewery, the answer is "yes". Paulaner Brauhaus' brewmaster Alexander Buchner explains that microbreweries aim to serve beer that is "as fresh as possible with many vitamins still in the beer." Unlike its bottled counterparts, the beer is unfiltered and thus has a cloudy appearance due to the yeast still present in the beer. Beers from an industrial brewery are filtered and heated to kill micro-organisms, and thus have a clearer appearance and a longer shelf-life.

Surviving Oktoberfest

Buchner has this simple piece of advice for all who will be drinking to their heart's content this season - "eat properly before you start." And if you drive, do leave those car keys at home, and hail a cab or assign a non-drinker as the designated driver instead.

Bottoms-up!

Oktoberfest is on from Oct 3-9 at Paulaner Brauhaus, 9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-01, #02-01, #03-01. Tel: 6883 2572. The bar is open from 11:30am - 1 am (Sun - Thu); 11:30am - 2am (Fri, Sat). Half and one litre glasses of Oktoberfest beer are priced at $16.90++ and $32.50++ respectively. There will also be a special Oktoberfest Sunday Brunch on 7 Oct from 11:30am - 2:30pm. ($35++ with free flow soft drinks, or $45++ for free flow of Oktoberfest beer)

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