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Bavarian Oktoberfest Pork Roast Recipe

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Invite Oktoberfest into your home. The perfect time for a Bavarian Pork Roast.

It’s Oktoberfest time, only that the traditional Oktoberfest in Munich won’t open its doors this year due to the worldwide pandemic. 

We didn’t want this to deter us from enjoying some Oktoberfest vibes, however, and decided to celebrate with a Bavarian Schweinsbraten or also called Krustenbraten; simply a pork roast with a deliciously crunchy, crackling pork rind.

Most of the necessary ingredients are some we usually have at home already, like onions, carrots, and of course beer – lots of it. The challenge you might run into is to get the right cut of pork, particularly one with the skin on! We found the latter to be quite a challenge. 

The perfect cut – Boneless pork shoulder with skin 

After calling the best butchers in town, including some from which restaurants purchase their meat, we learned that we could get a hold of a pork shoulder but only with the bone still in and definitely no skin. One of the butchers even told us that unless we knew some independent, smaller butcher personally we will have a hard time finding a pork roast with the skin on. “It’s just not produced that way here and we all more or less buy from the same meat plant or big suppliers”. 

Aha! Well, our next call was to a German butcher in town. They had to have what I needed, no?

Unfortunately, they didn’t, at least not on the day I wanted it. The lady however gave me a great tip: “Go try Stater Brother’s. Their party roast”. Really!? 

How right she was! Stater Brother’s Party Roast fulfilled at least one crucial part. It’s a pork shoulder with the bone still in but with the skin on. Yay!! My crackling pork rind was saved.

How to get the famous Schweinebratenkruste = crackling pork rind

Now I had my meat and it was time to start preparing our feast. 

The easiest way to give your pork roast’s skin the neatly shaped diamond pattern is to cut it after having put the roast upside down, skin first, into a pot of boiling hot water . Keep the water low so that you immerse only the skin and keep it there for about 15 minutes. After that take the meat out, tap it dry with a piece of kitchen paper and you are ready to get to work. Your knife will glide effortlessly through the pork skin to give it the desired diamond pattern.

Preparing for a hearty beer sauce – Use lots of dark beer

To get the yummy beer sauce that tastes so delicious with potato dumplings, have a few bottles of beer ready to use. 

After you prepared the pork skin (see above), your roast is ready to be put in the oven. Have the oven preheated to about 350 F, season the pork roast on all sides with salt pepper, sweet paprika and cumin, put it in a roaster, and up it goes into the oven with the prepared pork skin facing up.

After the meat has roasted for about 10 minutes, place the onions, leek and carrots around the roast and add the first bottle of beer. Make sure the liquid is about one to two inches high in your roaster, especially covering all the vegetable. (Burnt onions make the beer sauce bitter!)

Keep the pork roast in the oven for about 1 1/2 hours while routinely adding more beer to the liquid.

Finally, to get the beer sauce’s smooth consistency, pour the liquid into a strainer once the roast has finished cooking. You will need the help of a fork to mash and push the vegetable mixture through the strainer. And, voilà, there is your savory beer sauce!

Don’t forget the Knödel & Brezen – Potato Dumplings & Pretzels, a MUST

In the meantime prepare the Knödel, the potato dumplings that make your traditional Schweinbraten- pork roast dish authentic. I didn’t make my Knödel from scratch, I have to admit, but used the “Rohe Klösse” mix, usually from Knorr. In this case, I only found it from Kartoffelland.

The last touch is a Bavarian Brezen (pretzel), which can’t be missing from a feast like this. If you are lucky you will have a German store near you that can help you stock up on this Bavarian treat. You can never have enough of this German staple food in your home anyway!

Your Bavarian Oktoberfest Pork Roast is ready. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your feast with a nice cool glass of beer!

Ingredients for the traditional Bavarian Schweinebraten – Pork Roast 

  • ca. 2 pounds of pork shoulder with skin (preferably without the bone)
  • salt, pepper, sweet paprika, and cumin
  • 1 onion
  • 1 stick of leek 
  • 1 carrot
  • 3-4 bottles of dark beer (what’s not getting used, drink it. Prost!)

Let us know in the comments how your Schweinebraten turned out in case you tried this recipe.

Images: All food images ©CaliforniaGermans; Oktoberfest lettering image©pixabay.com

5 Weeks until Xmas – 5 Ideas for Books to Give as a Gift

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santa-claus-1128644_1920.jpg

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? 5 Ideas are on its way.

The next five Wednesdays leading up to Christmas we’ll support your Christmas shopping with some unique book ideas that make for a special gift.

We are going to introduce some German or German-related books that are refreshingly uncommon and off the beaten path. Let’s say not all are mainstream literature just yet, but so worth discovering.

Among the 5 books we’ll present, you will find one that’s perfect for children. Two of them make the perfect gift for all the history buffs among you as they deal with German history in quite different ways: One is a memoir of a German expat while the other is a historical fiction novel, packed with the suspense of diplomatic and political drama. 

Lastly, we have one book in our gift repertoire for just pure enjoyment and entertainment and another, that lets you dive into the depth of famed German literature.

Curious yet? Stay tuned and check in with us this and every Wednesday until Xmas, and find out what we have in store for you. 

You might just find the perfect gift for someone special!

Image: Pixabay.com

Happy German Unity Day!

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800px-World_Cup_2006_German_fans_at_Bochum.jpgTag der Deutschen Einheit 

A relatively young country is celebrating its coming of age

When I was in elementary school, there was no certainty when or if the two Germanys would ever reunite. Every time I visited the United States then, I was met with great interest by many trying to figure out which Germany I was from. … “Are you from West Germany?”, ” Have you ever been to the East?”, and so on …

Nowadays it’s almost unthinkable that Germany, as it looks and feels today, has not always been like that. It had to go through a lot of growing pains!

From its birth as a united country in 1871, to forcefully being separated after WW II, to miraculously being reunited in 1989.

Germany’s reawakening

Germany has gone through quite some changes during my lifetime. I would have never anticipated seeing the German people cheering on the streets with cars happily sporting the German flag. Young people proudly singing the German national anthem and having the colors of the German flag painted onto their faces.

This was 2006. And we happened to be visiting Germany while the country was hosting the Soccer World Cup. We witnessed first hand this newly found self-confidence of a ‘new’ Germany.  It still gives me the shivers!

It’s good to see Germans being proud of their country again. May the past, however, not wane as a reminder of the darker times that Germany lived through but encourage the German people to stand up for the ideals of humanity, social justice, freedom and equality, and keep its doors open to a world that is moving closer and closer together.

My best wishes to a beautiful young country! I am glad you have been finding your way.

Much luck for the future.

Now let’s celebrate! 

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Credits: © Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.de / CC-BY-SA-3.0

It’s Carnival Season. Find your ‘Faschings’ Party in California

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It’s the month of the fools! It’s Carnival!

Germany and beyond is in Carnival Fever. No, not to worry, it’s not a dangerous virus causing this outbreak. Though, it can be contagious!

Dancing, masquerades, and political satire are high in season. No-one is safe in this public outbreak of having-a-fun-time. Most of the bigger cities in German-speaking countries have big events planned for the next couple of weeks. Even smaller communities know how to pay proper tribute to ‘Fasching’.

Kids are looking forward to Carnival all year-long. It’s their time to be Spiderman or a queen for the day, and dress up as their favorite character. In fact, until Halloween had conquered Germany, Fasching somewhat resembled Halloween “German style”, at least in respect to wearing costumes.

And then, February 14th comes, and it’s all over! At least this year…

All the fun is suddenly over on February 14th this year! However, not because of Valentine’s Day. 🙂  This year, 2018, Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday share the same date and Ash Wednesday rings in the Season of Lent. For many Christians around the world, Lent is a time of fasting in preparation for Easter. Carnival is over until next year!

So party your heart out, before it’s too late! To help you find a suitable event we have listed a few that were mentioned to us:

Fasching for Children:

GermanSchoolCampus – Newport Beach:
February 10 – Carnival Party at German School Campus for young and old from 4pm – 6pm (Free Event)

German American School Association (GASA) at the PhoenixClub – Anaheim
February 11th – Kinderkarneval with Youth Dance Group. Event in the Ball Room at 1pm, (Free Event)

Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool – Los Angeles:
February 11th – Fasching At the WirtshausLA, 345 N La Brea Avenue , 3pm-6pm

Karneval for Adults:

Phoenix Club – Anaheim (SoCal)
February 10th – Karneval – Auf der Reeperbahn with Edmonton Blauen Funken, 7:00 pm . Admission: $5/person

Karneval/Mardi Gras/Fasching Costume Ball in Marin County (NorCal)
February 10th -Hosted by Hermann Sons Petaluma Lodge, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma .Doors open 6:00 p.m., Dancing 7:00 p.m. Admission: $25/person

Image: Pixabay.com

 

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3 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve German Style – It’s ‘Silvester’!

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Three Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve German Style 

1 – FIREWORKS –

What 4th of July is for the American that’s New Year’s Eve or ‘Silvester’ for the German – at least, measured by the number of fireworks that go into the air that night. And that means fireworks galore! Every family is sure to sport some kind of firework and many have fireworks that would be called illegal in California, like skyrockets. (illegal fireworks in California include all that “…go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner”) In Germany, they are allowed. Unfortunately every year the press reports incidents of severe accidents because of them. 

2 – BLEIGIESSEN / Lead Pouring–

This is a most favorite custom that lets the Germans play fortune teller on New Year’s Eve. Originally, small chunks of lead are melted in a spoon over the flame of a candle. As soon as the lead is liquid you pour the molten lead into a bowl of cold water where the lead will take on various shapes. These ’frozen” shapes will be interpreted to tell a person’s fate for the upcoming new year. As you can imagine this makes for a great topic of conversation.  One can buy lead pouring kits for this particular custom but many families use also wax instead of lead since it is safer.

3 – “DINNER FOR ONE” –

Now, this is a very special tradition for Germans. A tradition that literally doesn’t sound German at all! But it’s one, that is not to be missed and in fact, it is all over the TV channels all night long. We are talking about “Dinner for One” which is actually a comedy sketch in English! Yet, Germans can’t get enough of this 18-minute sketch and love watching it during every new year’s eve celebration. We have it posted for you right below:

“Same procedure as every year!”

We wish everyone a Happy New Year! –

Wir wünschen einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

Happy First of December! Countdown to Christmas has officially started!

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The story of the Advent Calendar

Germans love Christmas. In fact, for Germans, it’s the most important holiday of the year!

Many traditions help us Germans prepare for and enjoy the Christmas season to the fullest, like Saint Nicholas Day on Dec 6th or the four Sundays of Advent, Christmas cookies and much more.

One tradition, however, stands out since it is equally loved by children and adults. The Advent Calendar!

Who doesn’t like a countdown to a highly anticipated event?

Apparently many don’t want to miss it. In places all around the world, one can now find these magic Advent Calendars that hide chocolates or little toys behind their secret doors. Even beer calendars are available or calendars filled with a variety of liquor filled chocolates. The possibilities seem endless…

In the old days, just a beautiful little picture behind a door would make kids happy. Today some Advent Calendars made it even online, published by companies that discovered it as another tool to engage customers.

The first Advent Calendar originated in Germany in 1904 when Gerhard Lang published a simple one as an insert in a newspaper in Stuttgart. It was a raving success! So Lang decided to print a new one every year. The designs became more and more elaborate from calendars that worked like a dial to calendar houses filled with chocolates to even a calendar in Braille for the blind.

But how did he get the idea to make a calendar that would count down the days to Christmas in the first place?

The idea of counting down to Christmas Eve already existed in different ways. Some families used to mark the days to Christmas with chalk on their doors, in other families children were putting one piece of hay every day into a manger in which Baby Jesus would be laid on Christmas Eve.

Gerhard Lange’s mother however handcrafted a calendar for his then little son that would be filled with a little meringue for every day in December leading up to Christmas Eve. That caused a lasting impression and, as an adult, inspired Gerhard Lange to expand on his mother’s idea of an Advent Calendar.

The ‘modern’ Advent Calendar was born and started out to conquer the world in all kinds of variations!

Wir wünschen eine schöne Vorweihnachtszeit!  

Happy Holiday Season!

Images: Pixabay.com

INTIMACY

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Intimacy

(A Poem by Nils-Henrik Fuertes)
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Laughter echoes off the timeworn landscape of birch cabinetry
Pealing in my ears as I sit on
My straight-backed chair,
Chattering of my siblings such an archaic sound
Yet worn with a love I never forget.

The glare of cheerful electric lights enlightens every corner
Enhancing the metallic sparkle of the fridge.
Dull green paint on the walls
A faded memory of the old days
Like an endearing grandparent.

Calm air flows smoothly from the humming kitchen vent.
Classical music ever-present in the background.
Dancing flames tapping
A variety of rattling pots on the excited stove
Attempting to consume the savory scents drifting about the room.

Sugary orange yams with cinnamon
Melting in a tray of warm creamy butter,
Homemade goodness enveloping my senses.
A stark contrast to the homely furnishing
Splashing color upon the scene.

Dishes bang on the smooth granite countertop
Met with the subtle and sophisticated
Tinkling from champagne glasses,
And the merry jingle of silverware,
Preparing for the feast.
Ice-cold cider whooshes into glasses with gusto
Eggnog clouds my nostrils,
Radiating heat from the oven clings to my face.
Tenderly.
Softened by the breeze of pattering footsteps.

Water merrily babbles from the sink like a well-known relative
Harmonizing with the whistling of the teapot.
Grouchily the oven screeches on its rusty hinges
Competing with the oblivious chirping of my parakeet
Not aware that a bird is being prepared for dinner!

The spice-filled pumpkin pie waits on the microwave
Awaiting its moment of glory,
Gravy splashes in the boat.
Mashed potatoes steaming impatiently
As the cranberry sauce giggles in its bubbly pot.

Stealthily, I sneak up next to the animated stove
The hilts of the knives glinting me a mischievous smile,
And there it is!
The gem of Thanksgiving dinner
A seasoned turkey roasting to a crisp inside of the searing oven.

Thanksgiving is shortly upon me.
My kitchen is now alive with newfound sensations,
A reassurance to me and my family
Warmly filling my heart.
Affection.

 

©Nils-Henrik Fuertes

Image: Rockwell [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

 

Der Kalte Keller – Eine Gruselgeschichte zu Halloween

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DER KALTE KELLER

(Eine Gruselgeschichte von Dieter Kermas)
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Die Frühjahrssonne erhellte mit ihren wärmenden Strahlen unser Montagebüro. Durch das große Südfenster fiel mein Blick auf das emsige Treiben auf der Hardenbergstraße in Berlin – Charlottenburg.

Dienstags bis freitags hätte die Sonne sicher unsere Laune und unseren Arbeitseifer günstig beeinflusst. Doch heute war es Montag. Aus Erfahrung wussten wir, dass heute das Klingeln der Telefone meist unangenehme Nachrichten bedeutete.

Baustellen hatten kein Material bekommen, ein Lastwagen mit dringend benötigten Dämmpaneelen war bei Braunschweig in den Graben gefahren und der technische Leiter einer Filialkette schnaubte erbost, dass sich die Tür zum Tiefkühlraum nicht öffnen ließe und somit keine Ware für den Verkauf zur Verfügung stünde.

Diese Gedanken gingen mir durch den Sinn, als mein Telefon loslärmte.

Mein Gesprächspartner hatte keine Hiobsbotschaft zu verkünden. Er wollte mich noch heute wegen eines Angebotes sprechen. Freudig erregt sagte ich, ich sei bereits auf dem Weg zu ihm. Ich warf mich in meinen Trenchcoat, beeilte mich das Büro zu verlassen und floh so vor den üblichen Montagsüberraschungen.

Der Weg zu dem alten Krankenhaus war nicht weit und so war der Anrufer recht erstaunt, als ich kurz danach in seinem Büro in der technischen Abteilung auftauchte.

Mit kurzen Worten erklärte er mir den Grund seines Anrufs. Die Kosten für auszuführende Reparaturarbeiten sollte ich ihm als Angebot einreichen.

Beim Hinausgehen fragte ich noch, in welchem Gebäude ich mir die auszuführenden Arbeiten ansehen könnte. „Sie kennen sich doch hier gut aus“, rief er mir zu, “die Pathologie finden Sie sicher alleine.“

Aha, die Pathologie, dachte ich und lief etwas langsamer. Ich war früher bereits einmal in diesem uralten, muffigen Kellergewölbe gewesen. Das Gemäuer stammte sicher noch aus der Zeit um 1900.

Ich stieg die ausgetretenen Stufen hinab. Liebe Sonne ade, der Hades wartet auf mich. Ein Lufthauch wehte mir entgegen, als ich die erste Kellertür öffnete. Nun atmete ich dumpfe Kellerluft gemischt mit dem Geruch von Desinfektionsmitteln ein.

Im Halbdunkel tappte ich den Mittelgang in Richtung einer stärkeren Lichtquelle.

Ehe sich meine Augen an das hellere Licht gewöhnt hatten, tauchte eine kleine, gedrungene Gestalt vor mir auf. Dann erkannte ich den Zerberus dieser Gruft.

Ein ehemals weißer Kittel, jetzt mit undefinierbaren Flecken übersät, spannte sich über seinem kleinen Spitzbauch. Trotz des angefressenen Zigarrenstummels in seinem Mund quetschte er eine Begrüßung hervor. „Kommen Sie bitte, ich zeige Ihnen die beschädigten Fliesen und die abgerissenen Türdichtungen, die erneuert werden müssen“, murmelte er etwas undeutlich.

Hier möchte ich kurz den Raum beschreiben, in dem wir uns befanden. Die Wände und der Boden waren gefliest. Eine Wand aus Dämmpaneelen teilte den Raum in seiner Länge. In dieser Wand befand sich eine Tür neben der anderen. Es waren zehn Türen.

Hinter jeder dieser Türen lag eine Leiche auf einer fahrbaren Bahre.

Mit den Worten: „Ich lasse Sie jetzt alleine“, entschwand der Kellergeist.

Also Taschenlampe angeknipst, Notizblock, Zollstock und Stift in die Hände genommen und rein in die erste Tür. Der anfangs beschriebene Geruch schlug mir nun verstärkt entgegen. Ich meinte noch einen weiteren Bestandteil in der Luft zu riechen, doch wollte ich darüber lieber nicht nachdenken. Die Bahre mit der Leiche etwas zur Seite gedrückt, und mich vorbeigequetscht. Beschädigte Wand-und Bodenfliesen notiert und auf der Rückseite des Raumes weitergeschlichen.

Die Kühlanlage sprang plötzlich klappernd an und verwirbelte den durchdringenden Geruch im Raum. Zwischen jeder Bahre zur Tür gedrängelt, um die Dichtungen zu kontrollieren. Mein Gott war das eng hier, dachte ich. Um zu messen, musste ich mein Notizbuch mit dem Kuli auf einer der Bahren ablegen.

Lieber Leser, hier muss ich leider eine Illusion zerstören. Die Leichen liegen nicht, wie oft in den Krimifilmen dargestellt, sauber abgedeckt und ordentlich gekämmt da.

Nein, hier lagen die Körper, so wie sie gestorben waren, nackt und oft noch mit den Spuren der vergeblichen Operationen auf den Unterlagen. Aufgedunsene Bäuche mit gelber Desinfektionsfarbe und grob vernähte Schnitte sind sicher kein schöner Anblick. Ich war heilfroh, kein Kind zu entdecken.

Ich bückte mich, nahm an der Tür Maß von oben nach unten, streckte mich und wollte die Maße in mein Notizbuch eintragen. Da blieb meine ausgestreckte Hand wie erstarrt in der Luft stehen. Etwas hielt mich hinten am Trenchcoat fest. Ich hielt die Luft an und fasste nach hinten. Meine Hand berührte einen kalten Fuß, dessen Zeh sich im Gürtel des Mantels verhakt hatte. Ich zerrte am Gürtel und kam frei.

Durch den Ruck stieß ich gegen die andere Bahre, worauf mein dort abgelegter Kugelschreiber unter den dort liegenden Körper rollte. Mit der Taschenlampe geleuchtet und mit spitzen Fingern den Kuli wieder hervorgeholt.

Die letzten Maße waren eher geschätzt als gemessen. Nur raus hier, war mein Gedanke.

Ich drängelte mich wieder bis zur ersten Tür durch und begab mich zum Herrn der Toten. Ich entdeckte ihn in seinem kleinen Aufenthaltsraum, der von Zigarrenqualm zugenebelt war. Jetzt eine Zigarette dachte ich und kramte die Schachtel aus meinem Mantel. So saßen wir eine Weile schweigend und rauchend, ehe wir auf den Montageablauf zu sprechen kamen.

Er sah auf seine Uhr, meinte es wäre Zeit für sein Frühstück und ging zu einem kleinen Kühlschrank, der vor dem Raum an der gegenüberliegenden Wand stand.

Mehr zufällig als neugierig sah ich, wie er ein in Pergamentpapier eingewickeltes Päckchen zurückbrachte, es öffnete und in eine Stulle biss. Doch was enthielten die Plastikbeutel, die ich neben seinen Stullen im Kühlschrank gesehen hatte?

Ich fragte. Noch kauend verstand ich, dass es entnommene Organe und andere Teile seien, die er für die Studenten, oder auch für ergänzende Untersuchungen aufbewahrte. Es würgte in meiner Kehle.

Ein Geräusch ließ uns in Richtung einer Tür blicken, die ich vorher nicht bemerkt hatte. Zwei schwarz gekleidete Männer schoben fast würdevoll einen Sarg, der auf einer fahrbaren Unterlage ruhte, in den Keller. Sie nahmen den Sargdeckel ab und legten ihn auf den Boden. Das kauende Unikum rief den beiden Beerdigungskräften zu, dass sie den Gesuchten hinter Tür Nr. 5 fänden.

Wie gebannt verfolgte ich den weiteren Ablauf. Sie zogen die männliche Person, es war die, die sich in meinem Gürtel verfangen hatte, mit der Bahre neben ihren Sarg. Dann packte einer die Füße und der andere fasste unter die Arme der mageren Leiche. Der am Kopfende zählte „eins, zwei und drei“ und mit Schwung flog der alte Mann in den offenen Sarg. Es polterte wie ein Sack Kartoffeln. Der Deckel wurde aufgelegt und sie verschwanden.

Es ist jetzt höchste Zeit ebenfalls zu verschwinden, überlegte ich, verabschiedete mich vom Herrscher der Unterwelt und stürzte ins Freie, in die frische Luft.

Nach diesem Erlebnis empfand ich den Lärm und die Hektik in unserem Büro wie eine Wohltat und langsam entspannten sich meine Nerven.

©Dieter Kermas

Image:  pixabay.com

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Dieter Kermas, CaliforniaGermans Author and a true Berliner, turned to writing after he retired from his profession as an engineer. Family and friends urged him to document his many experiences during his childhood in wartime Germany. This made for a collection of various essays which have been published here at CaliforniaGermans. (You can find the stories here on CaliforniaGermans.com by putting “Dieter Kermas” into the Search Box.) Apart from his childhood memories, he is also sharing some of his short stories and poems on CaliforniaGermans. Dieter Kermas, who loves to write, is currently working on his first novel. Some of his work has been included in anthologies.

To get in touch with Dieter Kermas, please send an email with subject line “Dieter Kermas” to: californiagermans@gmail.com
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Looking back at the 2017 Oktoberfest in Munich – A Report in Pictures

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Auf Wiedersehen Oktoberfest

– A photo of Matthias-Pschorr Strasse from the Bavaria Statue –

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Greetings from the Wiesn!   For more than two hundred years, the Oktoberfest has been the highlight of Munich’s calendar, and is considered the world’s largest folk festival.  This year, the weather has been very cooperative so far, with mostly fair weather greeting the estimated three million visitors to the Theresienwiese in just the first week and a half.  By the end of the 18 days, an estimated 6.2 million visitors enjoyed the Wiesn.

Typical food offerings like Hendl, Brezn, and Spätzle have been abundant, and a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available in many tents.  In the Ochsenbraterei, sixty (60) Ox were already cooked and served by the Fest midpoint (in comparison to 55 by the same time last year), and by the end of the Fest, 127 had been served!

This was my second time auf die Wiesn;  I was out here last year for the marriage of two dear friends, and their celebration coincided with Oktoberfest, so it was practically a requirement that we make a trip to the Wiesn part of my visit.  I immediately knew that I’d be returning again and again, and that I would want to share my experience with others.

A quick tour of the perimeter to get a feel for the Stimmung of the fest revealed the usual revelry and an abundance of souvenirs including the famed Gingerbread Hearts (Lebkuchenherzen).

– One of the more robust offerings of Lebkuchenherzen –
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We then made our way to the Ochsenbraterei for lunch and a Maß, and while the Ochsenbraterei is best known for its meat offerings, there were substantial vegetarian offerings noted on the menu.

– The front entrance to the famed Ochsenbraterei –
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– Interior of the Ochsenbraterei, which seats nearly 6000 people (with another 1600 outside seats) –
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– Rows of empty mugs await filling –
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– Hungry fest-goers are served –
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Our next stop was the Löwenbräu Festzelt, where we enjoyed a bit more food and a change in atmosphere.  Even at 5pm, the mood in the tent was starting to change, but it was almost on cue at 6pm, when the tent felt more crowded, and more and more people began singing and dancing on the benches.  The “Oktoberfest-Barometer” (available via the official Oktoberfest App) can predict when the Wiesn might be busiest, and the App can also inform on how full various tents are.  The App can be downloaded from http://www.muenchen.de/app .

– The front entrance of the Löwenbrau-Festzelt, which seats 5700 inside and another 2800 outside) –
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 -The interior of the Löwenbräu-Festzelt –
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– A tray of food headed to hungry fest-goers at the Löwenbrau-Festzelt –
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 – Traditional breads, including the giant Breze –
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– Festgoers in Tracht in the Löwenbräu-Festzelt –
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–  The servers working hard to keep everyone happy, with just a few of the estimated 7.5 Million Maß served –
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One of the treats this year was the Oide Wiesn – a traditional and historical corner of the Wiesn.  An estimated 480,000 visitors enjoyed this look back into history as well as the constant cultural performances in the Festzelt Tradition like partnerdances, Schuhplattler Dances, and the Whip cracking (Goasslschnalzer).

– Festzelt Tradition, with a capacity of 5000 inside (and an additional 2700 outside) features a large dance floor for performances –
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– Festzelt Tradition offered more traditional feel and plenty of Tracht –
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– The Alphorn performance was a crowd favorite –
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This year’s Fest ended on 03 October 2017, and I’m already looking forward to kicking off next year’s event on Saturday, 22 September 2018.  For more information about Oktoberfest, you can visit the official site at http://www.oktoberfest.eu.

Until then, Prost!

All Images: Copyright ©2017 http://www.splitsecondimaging.com

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Christopher Chin is an accomplished underwater videographer and writer who has traveled extensively and speaks several languages. He studied German at the University of California, Berkeley, and quickly fell in love with the German language, culture and people. In early 2006, Christopher co-founded The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE), and currently serves as its Executive Director.

Christopher is an internationally recognized expert in ocean policy and conservation issues, and has provided valuable and persuasive testimony to various governing and legislative bodies in the U.S. and in Canada, and he has had the privilege of addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations on two separate occasions.

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O'zapft is! Find Your Oktoberfest in California

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This Saturday, September 16th, it’s official: It’s Oktoberfest Time!

At 12 noon (CET), Munich’s mayor will tap the first Oktoberfest-beer-barrel and exclaim “O’zapft is” !  And the ‘world’s largest beer festival’ can begin!

But you don’t have to fly to Munich to get into Oktoberfest mood. We have quite a few choices to celebrate Oktoberfest here in California, too. If you live in Northern California or Southern California, you for sure will find some Oktoberfest festivity even close by your neighborhood.

We highlighted a few ‘Oktoberfests’, that we thought might peak your interest.  Check them out below!

Souther California

PHOENIX CLUB – Anaheim SoCal

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The Phoenix Club in Anaheim features Orange County’s oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest.  OKTOBERFEST 2017 will take place every weekend Sept 22-Oct 29!

Join the party and enjoy authentic delicious German food (including Schweinshaxen and bread dumpling), Great selection of Imported German beer on tap, Polkas and Prosts in our 12,000 sq. ft. Festzelt and an acre of Biergarten. “We will have you Partying like a German!”

Traditional bands play every day!  Our Schuhplattler perform Saturdays and Sundays. The special events on the first weekend include the Official Keg Tapping Ceremony and the Opening Parade.

SHOOTING GALLERY: Our Phoenix Schützen (traditional air rifle club) will have their rifle range open to the public on Saturdays (6:00 PM) and Sundays (1:00 PM) Oct. 1 – Oct 29.

PONY RIDES: Our Neighbors at the Del Rio Stables and Equestrian Center will host $5.00 Pony Rides for the kids all Sundays in October.·         

Choo-Choo: Sundays are family days, free choo-choo rides noon to 4pm, free balloon artist one noon to 4pm

ADMISSION:  $10  -Adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Phoenix Club members with card $5 –  under 18 enter FREE!

WHEN: Sept. 22 – Oct 29, 2017

WHERE: 1340 S. Sanderson Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

Special Music Entertainment: Various bands will perform. The local band The Express Band, Alt Rosenheim Schuhplattler and Goassischalzer from Bavaria, Germany; Musikapelle Rottenbuch from Bavaria, Germany and Odenwäder Dirndljaeger from Bavaria, Germany

Oktoberfest at JEANETTE’s EDELWEISS in Newbury Park

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Jeanette’s Edelweiss is starting Oktoberfest the original way. Like in Munich also here Oktoberfest is rung in by the official tapping of the first beer keg. Instead of the mayor of Munich it will be the Consul General of Germany, Joerg Neumann, who will perform the traditional ceremony on Saturday, September 16 at 4pm.

Oktoberfest Season at Jeanette’s Edelweiss will be from 9/16/17 – 10/29/17 and Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band will play polka and authentic German Oktoberfest tunes. Live Oktoberfest Tunes and International Music with Festmeister Hans & Accordion Diva Gigi will be part of it as well. Prepare yourself for lot’s of dancing, fun & Oktoberfest games and the following seasonal events:

Every FRI & SAT – 5 pm: Munich style Oktoberfest Party with Fun, Games and Live Music by the Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band featuring Festmeister Hans.

Every Sunday 4 pm: Family Fun Oktoberfest. Kids Oktoberfest with Gigi & Festmeister Hans. Games & Fun for the family.

Every Thursday 5 pm: Oktoberfest Party!

Besides Oktoberfest entertainment be ready for a real German culinary feast. Jeanette’s Edelweiss features authentic German cuisines by renowned German Chef Rocco Suckert from Cologne, Germany. Everything from German brats, Schnitzel, Sauberbraten, Ham Hocks, Rouladen and of course Pretzels and Gingerbread hearts can be yours! And you’ll have the choice of 12 imported German beers on draft.

WHEN: Sept.16 – Oct. 29, 2017

WHERE: 2160A Newbury Road, Newbury Park

Admission: FREE  – But Advanced Reservations are Recommended!  Reserve your table: info@JeanettesEdelweiss.com (or 805-498-7300).

EL CAJON Oktoberfest – San Diego County’s oldest and most traditional Oktoberfest

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The German American Societies of San Diego invite to their yearly traditional Oktoberfest! Two weekends full of authentic foods and original entertainment.

Come and enjoy authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and a variety of German pastries. There will be  a great selection of German beers and liquors, and soft drinks and water, to enjoy with your friends and family!

Listen to the original group “The Guggenbach-Buam”, who came all the way out from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These talented, entertaining musicians dress in traditional clothing, and play a variety of German music, just as you would hear in the beer gardens in Bavaria. Enjoy songs such as the chicken dance, polkas and waltzes, and all the famous beer-drinking tunes. 

Watch traditional folk dancing performances, compete in our numerous games and contests, check out vendor and craft booths, and treat your kids to their own Kids’ Zone! Bring your family and friends to El Cajon and experience a real German Oktoberfest!

Admission:   $10 Friday and Saturdays; $5 Sundays.

WHEN:  Sept. 29, 30 and October 1 & October 6, 7 and 8, 2017

WHERE: German American Societies, 1017 S. Mollison Avenue, El Cajon, 92020

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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Oktoberfest at ESTHER’s GERMAN BAKERY in Palo Alto

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Esther’s German Bakery is celebrating  its 10th annual Oktoberfest !

Oktoberfest – Kick off is around noon on Saturday, September 30th.

Outside on the front patio you’ll see the food tent serving the Oktoberfest menu and plenty of tables for trying the seasonal Oktoberfest beers.  If you like more shade, check out our ‘Biergarten’  in the back.

For entertainment Esther’s German Bakery will have a favorite local German band playing festival songs from 3:00 – 8:00pm. Traditional German beer games are on the plan all night long. Come and meet some neighbors and celebrate Oktoberfest the traditional way!

On Sunday, in case you missed Saturday’s main event, the bakery will be hosting their Hangover Brunch. Both the front patio and back biergarten will be open. It’ll be back to the daily menu then, but you’ll still have plenty of seasonal beer choices and tasty German treats, and German music will of course welcome you inside. Make it an Oktoberfest weekend!!!

WHEN: Oktoberfest Day is on Saturday Sept.30 with the ‘Hangover Brunch’ following Oct. 1, 2017

WHERE: 987 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022

Entrance: Free

SCHUG WINERY – SONOMA – The Oktoberfest serving wine!

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Beer is not your thing, but you love wine? Try the Oktoberfest (Wine-Fest) at Schug Winery in Sonoma. Owned by a German family, Schug Winery is proud to invite to an Oktoberfest of their own kind. The winery was founded by Walter Schug, who came to CA in the 60’s to make wine European style.

Overlooking the Sonoma Valley you’ll be sipping Federweißer and enjoy plenty of traditional Oktoberfest entertainment. Get ready for Polka and accordion music, raffles for adults and children, a photo booth, Bean Bag Toss and more, while indulging on German specialties like Zwiebelkuchen, German cucumber salad, potato salad, German apple strudel, sausages, and of course fresh pretzels.

Children will love the Arts & Crafts tables and will go home with a free pumpkin! Special: Polkageist West is lined up for our live music.

WHEN: Sept 30 from 11am- 3:30pm

WHERE: 602 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, CA 95476.

Entrance: $50 (kids 12 and under free!)   – Ticket link : http://www.schugwinery.com/

OAKLAND NATURE FRIENDS – Oktoberfest 2017

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Die Naturfreunde Oakland invite to their yearly Oktoberfest in Oakland on October 1st, 2017!

It’s their biggest festival of the year!  So, get ready for fun Oktoberfest entertainment while taking in stunning views of the Bay area. Authentic German food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Entertainment:

MUSIC & DANCING: The Bajuk Trio with the Schuhplattler Dancers performing a variety of German and Austrian folk dances. Music starts at 1pm. Let your dance out!

OTHER ACTIVITIES: horseshoes | board games | candy roulette | playground | or just lounge in our alpine-style sun chairs soaking up the wunderbaren views of the SF Bay!

ADMISSION: $15 per adult (free for kids under 14). (Discount code “earlybird” available for a limited time.)

BUY TICKETS online or show up early to ensure entry!

PLEASE BRING CASH: Cash is the preferred method of payment. We do not accept debit cards or checks at the Oakland Nature Friends Club on the day of the event. There is no ATM on the premises.

PARKING: Parking in the ONF lot is free but fills up quickly so arrive early. However, there is plenty of additional parking on Joaquin Miller Drive. We provide a free shuttle bus service (1PM to 5PM every 15 minutes) that will drive guests from the intersection of Butters and Joaquin Miller (near the fire station) to the festival grounds and back again. 

MORE OKTOBERFEST:

Placerville Oktoberfest – Sacramento –

Come Dance Zee Polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on Historic Main Street Placerville

Placerville, CA, September 8, 2017—Come dance zee polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on historic Main Street in Placerville on Saturday, September 16th from 3-8pm—presented by the Placerville Downtown Association.

WHEN: September 16th, 2017

Entrance : FREE

Oktoberfest at GACC – German American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco 

For the fifth time the German American Chamber of Commerce will bring Germany’s most famous fest to the Bay Area.

Enjoy a night of delicious German food andOktoberfest beer, provided by Ludwig’s German Table.   Blow Musik! will set the right tone with their traditional Bavarian polkas and our headliner Bayern Maiden will rock the house once more!

WHEN: September 28th, 2017, 5pm-10pm
WHERE: Fort Mason, San Francisco

Admission: Buy your ticket online 

 Oktoberfest at Los Lagos Golf Course
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LLGC in partnership with Gordon Biersch is bringing Munich’s famed festival to the San Jose community for all to enjoy!!  Live German music, dancing, traditional food, and beer!
Band: The Deutscher Musikverein  (SFgermanband.org)
WHEN:Saturday, October 14, 2017, 05:00pm – 09:00pm
WHERE: Los Lagos Golf Course, 2995 Tuers Road, San Jose, CA 95121
ADMISSION: $20.00 includes food, 2 beer samplers, and music! Tickets online at www.playloslagos.com under Event Registration.
Enegren Brewing Oktoberfest in Moorpark
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Enegren Brewing Co. features authentic German Food with BIGGER BETTER PRETZELS and German music all day long with the German band Hazelnuss-Das Music .  Make sure to get there early for the official barrel tapping of our Oktoberfest Märzen Lager and to get your limited edition steins!
WHEN: Saturday October 7th: 11am – 10pm
WHERE: 444 Zachary St, #120, Moorpark, CA 93021
ADMISSION: Free

Oktoberfest in Downtown Los Angeles

Oktoberfest DTLA is not your traditional Oktoberfest. You’ll find local breweries and California beers, but you can also still grab an authentic German Beer from Paulaner, the #1 Oktoberfest beer in the world! Food varies from traditional bratwursts and pretzels to Thai-Mexican fusion.  Lot’s of music entertainment: Music ranges from awesome local bands like The Tom Nolan Band and rockabilly groups to beat boxers, with Hazelnuss Das Music band closing both nights to get everyone dancing to some awesome Oktoberfest tunes.

WHEN: October 21 & 22, 2017 (12pm -18pm)

WHERE: Pershing Square, 532 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

ADMISSION: General admission is Free, and all ages are welcome. Tasting packages will be available for sale, but you’re free to come and just enjoy the music as well.

Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach

WHEN: Sept. 10 – Oct. 29, 2017

WHERE: 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach

Admission: $7-$25 tickets online or at the door

Oktoberfest at Alpine Village Torrance

WHEN: Sept 8 – Oct 28, 2017

WHERE: 833 W Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502

Admission: $10- $60 tickets online or at the door

Images: Copyright ©All Images are property of the respective organization, Phoenix Club, Jeanette’s Edelweiss, German American Societies of San Diego, Esther’s German Bakery, Schug Winery, Oakland Nature Friends.

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