Starkbierfest 

Everyone has heard of Oktoberfest. Starkbierfest is almost unknown. It’s like its big cousin, but somehow better. Oompah music mixed with the Oldies we all know. Hearty fare complements the beer and attempts to stave off the effects of the 8.1% alcohol beer. Thousands are on their feet, dancing on benches, and singing along with the music. And laughter, lots of laughter. This is an evening at Paulaner am Nockherherg , the prime location of Bavaria ’s Starkbierfest . It all began with a monk named, Salvator. Required to refrain from food for 40 days in observance of Jesus’ time in the desert, Salvator found a loophole: Eating is denied, but drinking is allowed! Thus was born the Starkbier, the hefty bock. Yes, it is higher in alcohol, but the name derives from its being brewed with less water and, therefore, more grain. A liter, it is said, holds the equivalent of 16 loaves of bread!  

During the days of Lent, all of Bavaria ’s breweries create a version of Starkbier. Just like the originator, Salvator from the Paulaner Brewery, most varieties end with the –ator appendix: Optimator, Triumphator, Maximator, Terminator, and countless others. There’s even a small brewery right at Munich airport. It’s Doppelbock offering? “Aviator,” naturally!   Even though the weather in Munich is cold, it’s hot inside with plenty of fresh beer to be tried. Each weekend, most of the big Beer halls have a special event cooking to celebrate the season. The Augustiner Keller and Löwenbräukeller both have live music going, but smaller venues can be even more interesting. The Augustiner Bräustuben is a small beer hall located next to the Augustiner brewery. Unknown in North American, Augustiner is the clearly the number 1 brewery in Munich . Their Bräustuben is located in where the draft horses used to be housed: Now it’s full of all walks to life. Venture in here and you will meet the locals and they will meet you! ( www.braeustuben.de )   Mid-week, try out the Forschungsbrauerei. This family run business is purposely kept small to ensure quality. The ceramic beer mugs are cooled to an exact temperature to ensure you beer is properly presented. The regular beer is excellent, but the rare “blond bock” is a treat: St. Jakobus Blonder Bock will have you coming back for more. Order the roasted chicken and you’ll be advised that you need to wait one hour. It’s worth it. ( www.forschungsbrauerei.de )  

Far outside Munich is a small monastery well worth the pilgrimage. If you had only one day to experience Bavaria , Kloster Andechs is the destination. Known to the locals as “the holy mountain” the monks maintain a completely contained life. They have their own gardens, fields, butcher, dairy, distillery, and, of course, brewery. One sip of the monk’s Doppelbock Beer and even an atheist will agree it was brewed by someone very close to God.   Order a Maß (one liter) and get in line for lunch. Try the Schweinehaxe, Pig Knuckle. The crunchy outer skin is a delicacy that must be enjoyed with your Doppelbock. Stop off at the cheese counter and order up the Obatzda and some of the Romador cheese with a big pretzel. Share with your tablemates and you’ll be sure to make some friends. Visit the Roccoco church between rounds and gaze southward to the Alps . Spend the day here and enjoy the richness Bavaria has to offer. ( http://www.andechs.de )  

Don’t like dark beer? Leave your preconceived notions behind and give it an honest try. You simply can’t compare the beer we have in North America with the fresh brewed original in Munich . And the rich atmosphere in which to enjoy it doesn’t hurt at all either! Also known as Munich ’s fifth season, the weather is cooler and the tourists are scarce. With lower volumes, airfare and hotels are significantly cheaper – if you’re into beer and Bavarian culture, this is the time to be in Munich . Since it is tied to the church calendar, the exact dates of Starkbierfest vary – The largest venue, Paulaner am Nockherberg, takes the lead in setting the dates. Typically, the season begins on the third Friday after Ash Wednesday and runs three weeks.