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Recipes to Eat Your Way Through Oktoberfest

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:50:16 -0700

Recently, PartySugar tried to dispel the belief that Oktoberfest begins in October - it actually started last weekend! But if you haven't gotten in on the festivities just yet, don't worry; there's still time to celebrate, as the Autumn festival doesn't end until the weekend after next, on Oct. 4. Whether you're throwing the ultimate Oktoberfest party or simply looking for some hearty fare to go with your Märzen, look no further than these Bavarian favorites.

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Oh Snap! Oktober in September

TresSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Three women posed for a picture at the Hofbraeuhaus beer tent today in Munich, Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest, the world's largest fair. Each year, about six million people show up to the 16-day beer festival that happens in late September and early October. Give them beer (and breasts) and they will come! Cheers!

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Come Party With Me: Oktoberfest - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:15:58 -0700

Let the colors of Germany's flag inspire the look at your Oktoberfest. Set the table with a red cloth and black plates. Serve the sausages and potato salad from big black bowls. Clear beer mugs are a must! Yellow flowers, red balloons, and a banner are festive and fun. Surprise guests with a Oktoberfest mint tin party favor.

Come Party With Me: Oktoberfest - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:30:25 -0700

No specialty cocktail is needed at an Okotberfest celebration, the German festival is all about one thing - beer. Instead invite friends to partake in a beer tasting! There are several different ways to host a beer tasting. You can get the same kinds of beers, say German pilsners, all made by different breweries. You could select one brewery, purchase all the varieties of beer they make, and serve those. Or you can just buy a bunch of beers from various styles and regions. Head to Bevmo, Trader Joe's, or other local shop that sells a wide assortment of beers and purchase six packs or larger bottles for the tasting. To get more beer-tasting tips read more.

When selecting beers, think about the likes and dislikes of your guests. If the majority of people enjoy lighter style beers, get those. On the other hand, if your guests are adventurous drinkers, consider picking up hoppier/darker ales.
Handle the beer carefully and be sure to properly chill it.
Like wine, beer requires appropriate glasses for each type. However, for the sake of the tasting, simply serve the beer in standard glasses. Avoid using plastic or paper cups.
Drink slowly and take note of the beer's color, aroma, and head. Discuss how it tastes.
Each pour should be about 3-4 ounces.
Host the tasting before dinner and have extra bottles on hand to enjoy while consuming the meal.

Have you thrown a beer tasting? Please tell us about your experience below!

Come Party With Me: Oktoberfest - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:30:38 -0700

The Black Forest is a wooded region in Southwestern Germany. It's from this area that Black Forest ham and Black Forest cake originated. Traditionally the confection consists of layers of chocolate cake, kirsch, and sour cherries, but this recipe uses those ingredients to make crumb bars.

At an event like Oktoberfest, where lots of beer may be consumed, it's nice not to worry about cutting and plating a cake. These super chocolatey portable bars can be set out at the start of the party, and guests can enjoy them at their leisure without utensils. For the make-in-advance recipe, please keep reading.

Come Party With Me: Oktoberfest - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:43 -0700

Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest, the annual German beer festival, doesn't begin in October, it actually starts this weekend! Just because I can't travel to this year's event doesn't mean I shouldn't celebrate in the comforts of my own home. You can, too, by following my plan for the ultimate Oktoberfest.

Start by serving a delectable German-inspired meal. Sauteed bratwurst are succulent when paired with braised sauerkraut, soft onions, and sweet apples. A classic vinegar-based potato salad is a filling and savory side dish. To get these recipes please keep reading.

Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 21-27, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:00:02 -0700

This week's events have left me curious: Exactly what activities does one partake in at a Pig Stein? Or a Yambilee? If you have attended these in the past, I'd love to know. Will anyone be at the James Beard Foundation's Taste America in Las Vegas?

If you know something we've left out, please leave a message in the comments below!

Las Vegas, NV: Rising Stars Las Vegas - Oct. 21
Torrance, CA: Oktoberfest at Alpine Village - Oct. 21-26
San Francisco, CA: Joy of Sake San Francisco - Oct. 23
Atlanta, GA: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlanta - Oct. 23
Portland, ME: Harvest on the Harbor - Oct. 23-25
Mountain View, AR: Arkansas Bean Fest - Oct. 23-25
Kohler, WI: Kohler Food & Wine Experience - Oct. 23-26
Opelousas, LA: Louisiana Yambilee - Oct. 23-26
Las Vegas, NV: The James Beard Foundation's Taste America Las Vegas - Oct. 24-26

To see the rest, read more.

Lynchburg, TN: Jack Daniel's Invitational Barbecue - Oct. 25
Keene, NH: Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 25
Orlando, FL: Central Florida VegFest - Oct. 25
Lexington, NC: The Barbecue Festival - Oct. 25
Kitty Hawk, NC: Pig Stein 2008 - Oct. 25
Powhatan, VA: Festival of the Grape - Oct. 25
Fredericksburg, TX: Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 25
New York, NY: Feast With Famous Faces - Oct. 27

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 14-20, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:00:42 -0700

It's only Tuesday, but I'm already looking forward to the multitude of festivals this weekend.

There are so many in the Bay Area alone that I can't decide whether to hit up the Santana Row Pear Festival, the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, or the Monterey Wine Festival. I suppose I might just rock them all!

Have we left something out? If so, please drop us a line in the comments below!

San Francisco, CA: Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting - Oct. 14
New York, NY: At the Table: New York - Oct. 14
Torrance, CA: Oktoberfest at Alpine Village - Oct. 14-20
Circleville, OH: Circleville Pumpkin Show - Oct. 15-18
Monterey, CA: Monterey Wine Festival - Oct. 16-18
Tulsa, OK: Tulsa Oktoberfest - Oct. 16-19
Crowley, LA: International Rice Festival - Oct. 16-19
New York, NY: 6th Annual Gourmet Institute - Oct. 17-19
Paso Robles, CA: Harvest Wine Weekend - Oct. 17-19

To see the rest, read more.

Niceville, FL: Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival - Oct. 17-19
Hood River, OR: Hood River Valley Harvest Festival - Oct. 17-19
Atlantic City, NJ: Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 17-19
Poquoson, VA: Poquoson Seafood Festival - Oct. 17-19
Shenandoah, VA: Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival - Oct. 17-19
Richmond Hill, GA: Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival - Oct. 17-19
Chackbay, LA: Louisiana Gumbo Fest of Chackbay - Oct. 17-19
Llano, TX: Llano Chuck Wagon Cook-Off - Oct. 18
Pittsburgh, PA: Good Taste! Pittsburgh - Oct. 18
Chincoteague, VA: Chili & Chowder Cookoff - Oct. 18
Half Moon Bay, CA: Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 18-19
Chicago, IL: Tour de Champagne - Oct. 18
Wellfleet, MA: Wellfleet OysterFest - Oct. 18-19
Millville, NJ: South Jersey Pumpkin Show - Oct. 18-19
Cullman, AL: Alabama Gourd Festival - Oct. 18-19
Cedar Key, FL: Cedar Key Seafood Festival - Oct. 18-19
Leonardtown, MD: St. Mary's County Oyster Festival - Oct. 18-19
Salisbury, MD: Wicomico County Autumn Wine Festival - Oct. 18-19
Gautier, MS: Gautier Mullet & Music Fest - Oct. 18-19
Chatsworth, NJ: The Cranberry Festival of Chatsworth - Oct. 18-19
Newport, RI: Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival - Oct. 18-19
Richmond, VA: Shockoe on the Halfshell - Oct. 18-19
Berkeley, CA: Spice of Life Festival - Oct. 19
New York, NY: Apple Day - Oct. 19
San Jose, CA: Santana Row Pear Festival - Oct. 19
Welches, OR: Wild About Game Festival - Oct. 19
San Francisco, CA: Fiesta on the Hill - Oct. 19
Philadelphia, PA: Foodie Venture Fair - Oct. 19-27
San Francisco, CA: Nirvino Female Bartender Cocktail Competition - Oct. 20

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Noteworthy Nibbles -Oct. 7-13, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:12 -0700

It's the middle of Fall, and the festivities are bigger than ever. From Spencer, WV, to San Francisco, there's something for everyone, whether you've got a craving for candy or a hankering for ham. Know of something we've left out? Please feel free to add your comments below!

New York, NY: Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival - Oct. 9-12
Denver, CO: The Celebrity Chef Tour Denver - Oct. 9
Denver, CO: Great American Beer Festival - Oct. 9-11
Spencer, WV: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival - Oct. 9-12
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Magazine's Fallfest 2008 - Oct. 9-12

To see the rest, read more.

Gulf Shores, AL: National Shrimp Festival - Oct. 9-12
Charleston, SC: Taste of Charleston - Oct. 10-12
Cadiz, KY: Trigg County Country Ham Festival -Oct. 10-12
New Smyrna Beach, FL: New Smyrna Beach Uncorked - Oct. 10-13
Long Beach, WA: Wild Mushroom Celebration - Oct. 10-15
Chincoteague, VA: Oyster Festival - Oct. 11
Timonium, MD: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest - Oct. 11
Fairfield, CA: Fairfield Candy Festival - Oct. 11
Port Angeles, WA: Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival - Oct. 11-12
Waynesville, OH: Ohio Sauerkraut Festival - Oct. 11-12
Oroville, CA: Passport Weekend 2008 - Oct. 11-12
Atlanta, GA: Taste of Atlanta - Oct. 11-12
Cape May, NJ: Cape May Wine Festival - Oct. 11-12
Grand Prairie, TX: International Bar-B-Que Cookoff - Oct. 11-12
Williamsburg, VA: CIAO Italian Festival - Oct. 11-12
Newport, RI: Newport Oktoberfest - Oct. 11-13
New York, NY: PastryScoop Fall 2008 Conference - Oct. 12
Culpeper, VA: Taste of Culpeper - Oct. 12
Half Moon Bay, CA: The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Oct. 13

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 30-Oct.6

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:04 -0700

Across the country this month Oktoberfest celebrations are in full force. There's something for you, whether you want to savor the last of the Summer with a seafood festival or switch your mindset to Fall by enjoying one of the many harvest celebrations. Have a tip for another event? Leave it in the comments below!

Santa Clarita, CA: Loose Goose Wine Festival - Oct. 1-5
Corinth, MS: Kansas City Hog Wild BBQ Festival - Oct. 2-4
San Francisco, CA: Oktoberfest by the Bay - Oct. 2-5
Kansas City, MO: American Royal Barbecue - Oct. 2-5
Napa, CA: Domaine Chandon Pink Party - Oc. 2
New York, NY: Plate by Plate New York - Oct. 3
Carpinteria, CA: California Avocado Festival - Oct. 3-5

To see the rest, read more.

Lincoln, AR: Arkansas Apple Festival - Oct. 3-5
Fredericksburg, TX: Oktoberfest - Oct. 3-5
Long Grove, IL: Long Grove Apple Festival -Oct. 3-5
Puyallup, WA: Oktoberfest NW - Oct. 3-5
Destin, FL: Destin Seafood Festival - Oct. 3-5
Bayfield, WI: Bayfield Apple Festival - Oct. 3-5
Doylestown, PA: Oktoberfest - Oct. 3-5
Fort Bragg, CA: Abalone Cook-off & Festival - Oct. 4
Germantown, MD: Germantown Oktoberfest - Oct. 4
Charlotte, NC: Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Food Festival - Oct. 4
Napa, CA: Wine Country Cajun Food and Music Festival - Oct. 4
Springfield, MO: Taste of Springfield - Oct. 4
Atlanta, GA : Harvest Midtown Festival - Oct. 4
Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Irish Festival - Oct. 4
Chattanooga, TN: Wine Over Water - Oct. 4
Montrose, CA: Montrose Oktoberfest - Oct. 4
Beach Haven, NJ: Chowder Cook-Off Classic - Oct. 5
Shelton, WA: Oysterfest - Oct. 4-5
Allardt, TN: Great Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 4-5
Redwood City, CA: Arts & Olive Festival - Oct. 5
Rochester, NY: Rochester Food Fight - Oct. 6

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