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Guten tag, Chicago!
Oktoberfest is officially underway!
Bars, pubs and restaurants across the city are pouring German beers, serving up traditional German fare and raising their steins to celebrate their German heritage.
No matter if you’re celebrating at one of the many Oktoberfest parties across Chicagoland, celebrating at a German style pub, or having a small gathering among friends, here are five Oktoberfest beers that should be in your liter sized stein glass these next two weeks.
Well, it’s September which means it’s time for…Oktoberfest beers! And despite their name, Oktoberfest beers are not actually brewed in the fall. Say wha?!
That’s right, these beers are an outgrowth of the traditional, strong spring brews called March beers or Märzenbier in German. These beers were brewed in the springtime and then put aside in ice-filled caves or cellars to be stored and consumed over the summer. The leftover Märzen was usually finished off in the fall which is when a new season of brewing would begin after the late summer’s grain and hop harvest. So it was almost by default that Märzens became the official beer of Oktoberfest which made its debut in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding in Munich.
Today’s Oktoberfest has morphed into an 18-day celebration that kicks off in September and includes parades, carnivals, music, art, and civic engagement. Want to celebrate here in the states? You can see all of our Märzen-style beers HERE.
On Thursday, July 19th, the Green City Market Chef BBQ offered the most divine and delicious bites for attendees to enjoy. Beer tastings were available from a variety of Midwest beverage purveyors including Goose Island, Moody Tongue, Virtue Cider, Founders, Bell’s, Boulevard, 3 Sheeps, Urban Chestnut, Sun King, Jolly Pumpkin, and Burnt City. Lakeshore Beverage partnered up with the Green City Market Junior Board and Goose Island this year and brought Plinko to our lounge area. Guests could win a variety of Goose Island merchandise and one lucky winner even got to take home a Goose Island Bike!
Summer drinking season is here and no matter what your taste preferences are, we’ve got a beer (or cider) for you. These essential summer beers are perfect for outdoor drinking, indoor drinking, boat drinking, beach drinking, well — any kind of drinking really. Consider this your helpful guide from now until September. Be sure to use our Beer Finder to locate one of these fine beverages near you.
On the next episode of Between Two Steins, our host Chris Kolodziej sits down with Co-Founder and Brewmaster of Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, Florian Kuplent. You can meet Florian on Thursday, September 28 for the Inaugural Urban Chestnut Oktoberfest Party at Diag Bar. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased right HERE.
Pilsner is arguably the most consumed beer style in the world, with its volume being led by the major domestic breweries. But lately, craft Pilsners in particular have seen strong growth and popularity among long time domestic drinkers and craft drinkers alike. In addition to their light, refreshing body, they’re low in calories, and low ABV. What’s not to love for summer drinking? Today, our Training Manager, Chris Kolodziej, takes us through the history of Pilsner beer and showcases seven Pilsners from Lakeshore Beverage to quench your thirst this summer. Read More