It’s no secret that America loves Oktoberfest. Whether it’s the abundance of beer, German cooking or just an excuse to celebrate, something makes the holiday a time to look forward to.
Those with German heritage may go the extra mile for Oktoberfest, but it doesn’t take German roots to celebrate. Local establishments with German influences provide a range of Oktoberfest experiences.
Hofbräuhaus
Modeled after the 400-year-old original Munich restaurant, Hofbräuhaus uses the same German recipes, says Denis Varitek, general manager of the Columbus location.
Hofbräuhaus places strong value on German tradition. The German and Bavarian dishes must be tested for authenticity, all servers and hostesses wear traditional German attire, and a house band performs accordion-based, Oompah-style music every day of the week. Even some foods, such as pretzels and sweets, are imported from Germany to ensure accuracy.
“To be successful you have to appeal to all people, but we try to do that with the foundation that we are a German-Bavarian restaurant,” says Varitek.
Brewmaster Robert Makein spent six years training in Germany to perfect his craft, though he began brewing long before that. The German native says Hofbräuhaus guests should expect the food and beer to stay true to its German origins.
“It’s exactly the same,” Makein says.
Photo courtesy of Hofbrauhaus Columbus
While most of the beers are brewed in-house, two are imported. The maibock and Oktoberfest beers, both seasonal, are produced in Munich and sent to the company’s U.S. locations. German law prevents official Oktoberfest beer from being produced outside of Munich.
The Oktoberfest beer will be featured during the celebration at Hofbräuhaus, along with an increase in entertainment. Visitors can expect strolling accordions, magicians and live music at all hours, Varitek says.
“It’s going on from the time we open until the time we close,” he says.
Zauber Brewing Co.
There’s a lot more to Germany than just traditional dining. Zauber Brewing Co. blends these modern German influences with an American style to provide its own unique experience.
Zauber uses Germany as a source of inspiration, choosing to Americanize rather than imitate.
Photo Courtesy of Zauber Brewing Co.
“Like a good American, we’re going to take what we like, abuse it as we see fit and make it our own,” says founder Geoff Towne.
Zauber has a clear German influence, but packages it in an American box. Steins and large wooden picnic tables find a place in the predominantly American interior. Food trucks replace a typical kitchen in an attempt to mirror the self-serve oriented, modern German beer halls, says Towne.
“It’s a way of blending the American ideas and making it approachable and understandable,” he says.
For Oktoberfest, Zauber takes over its neighboring street with tents, activities and plenty of beer to create its own beer garden environment.
The festivities include food trucks, along with vendors and other breweries. To add more German flare, musicians perform live German music, while attendees can participate in light-hearted games.
Zauber will also offer its own Oktoberfest beer. Similar to the brewery’s other offerings, it will utilize German techniques and style. Towne says it will be halfway between the authentic German beer and its Americanized counterpart.
“This is going to be like those beers without imitating directly,” he says.
Oktoberfest allows Zauber to show off its German influences to the festival crowd. Ohio residents’ German heritage makes that influence particularly popular in the area, Towne says.
Cameron Carr is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
Related Stories
Best of the ‘Bus 2015 results, in which Hofbräuhaus won Best New Restaurant
