Did you know that in Munich, Oktoberfest actually starts in September?

Oktoberfest traditionally starts in the third weekend in September and ends the first Sunday of October.

What is Oktoberfest?

It began with the Royal Wedding on October12, 1810.

(Guess we should have waited nine days to tap our version. Goes to show, do the research before, not after.)

Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the royal event. The fields were renamed Theresienwiese ("Theres'a Fields") to honor the Crown Princess, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to "Wiesn". Horse races in the presence of the royal family marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for the whole of Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse races in subsequest years gave rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest.

2008 marks the 175th anniversary of Octoberfest. Good enough for us.

Barley's Oktoberfest

Style Guidelines: This is a true German style Marzen lager, fermented with Bavarian lager yeast. We used hops different than any other beers we've brewed to date, imparting a continental authenticity. A crisp beer, yet the use of Victory malt gives this beer a roasty, toastiness that is associated with the style.

Rotation Schedule: This may be an annual tradition for October. Then again, maybe not..

Food Pairings: Bratwurst, smoked sausages, spicy brown mustard, brown bread, schnitzle.

Body: medium

Color: light brown, filtered bright

Grain: British lager, Victory, Roasted

Bittering Hops: German Perle and German Northern Brewer

Finishing Hops: German Hersbrucker

Original Gravity: 1.060

IBUs (estimate): 20-28

Alcohol By Volume: 6.0%

First Tapped: October 3, 2007

Barley's Brewing Company Ale House No. 1xxxxx 467 North High Street Columbus OH 43215

Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub Ale House No. 2xx 1130 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43215