How to Plan your Fall Affair:
Oktoberfest Party
This year Alpine Learning Group is encouraging our Fall Affair guests to host individual watch parties on the night of October 23rd! Imagine, your community (i.e. friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, etc.) coming together dressed in lederhosen and dirndl, imbibing in delicious beer and mouth watering food, dancing together, playing games, and, of course, supporting Alpine and celebrating the families of our amazing learners. Your night can be filled with this and so much more! Read on to learn more about how YOU can host Oktoberfest this year.
The key to any good party is the company you surround yourself with so make your list, send out your invitation, and let’s start party planning!
The Drinks
Oktoberfest is known for more than just its beer, but with 14 main beer tents, 6 local Munich breweries, and more than 7.3 million Liters of beer consumed at the two-week long festival, it only seems fair that we start here.
If you choose to provide alcohol at your party, many Oktoberfest beers can be purchased or ordered in advance from local liquor stores starting in October.
If you wanted to create a truly authentic experience, you would purchase beer from the Munich breweries that have tents at Oktoberfest. Only these six breweries can produce the official Oktoberfestbier, that is served in Munich: Augustiner, HackerPschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. Not all Munich breweries ship their Oktoberfest beer worldwide, though. Currently only Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Paulaner and Spaten Oktoberfestbier are shipped to the United States.
If you would like to honor tradition further, Spaten should be the first beer opened at your party!
You may choose to order beer online or buy it from your local store. Other drinks are available for purchase at Oktoberfest as well including wine, sodas, water, and more non-alcoholic drink options including Nonalcoholic beer, apple cider/sparkling cider, and German favorites, "apfelschorle" (apple juice mixed with sparkling water) or "spezi" (Coke mixed with Fanta).
If you are looking for an added piece of entertainment, you can book a beer tasting. Many breweries are offering opportunities for virtual beer tasting including HOST and Denver Microbrew Tour. (See below for more information on hosting a beer tasting).
Lastly, help your guests look and feel the part with these glasses from Rastal which are authentic, top quality, and definitely durable enough for a spirited “Prost” (Cheers)! These also make for excellent party favors! You can also purchase plain beer steins and pilsners on Amazon.
The Venue
Your home can be the perfect venue for gathering in celebration of Alpine Learning Group’s 2021 Fall Affair! One benefit of hosting a party at home is that it can be fun and flexible, without requiring too much coordination. If you are looking for an alternate venue, websites like New Jersey Leisure Guide can help you identify the perfect location to host your party. You can also take a look at Newjerseycraftbeer.com to see the most comprehensive list of New Jersey breweries, distilleries, and wineries throughout the state, many of which can accommodate large parties and events.
The Look
From Party City to Rent the Runway there are many places that you can visit or order from online to dress the part on the night of your party! Encourage your guests to dress up as well and add to the festive mood of your “Wiesn” (Oktoberfest)! To learn about traditional fashion at the Oktoberfest visit here. Or start shopping for your dirndl or lederhosen now! The Oktoberfest official site also sells clothing for children and ships to the United States.
You accessorize you can make your own flower crown or buy them online at stores including Amazon where they are sold individually and in bulk to share with your guests.
The Main Course
Oktoberfest typically serves meats including knockwurst, bratwurst, and weisswurst which pair well with sides like braised red cabbage and potato salad. In the last several years, tents in Munich have started accommodating for a variety of dietary needs, and you may want to do so as well.
An alternative for children and picky eaters is pigs in a blanket with spicy mustard.
Below are suggestions for ordering entrees and sides for you to cook or grill on site at your party:
Wild Fork
-Offers delivery on a variety of meats including raw sausage and wurst
-Orders can also include raw full meat slabs, shrimp, lobster, ribs and accompaniments including rolls, vegetarian options, and dessert
-Offers same day delivery (but we recommend you order early)
Gold Belly
-Specializes in BBQ but can also deliver wurst and other food options to complete your party’s menu
-German breads and dessert
You may also choose to hire from a local caterer whose menu can accommodate the theme like Café Pierrot or Harvest Specialty Catering.
More Catering options:
-The Barn Rockaway, NJ & Randolph, NJ
-Paul’s Pig Roast North Haledon, NJ
-Trackside Bar and Grill Butler, NJ
-La Quinta De Reyes Butler, NJ
-Taste of Reality Kinnelon, NJ
-Ferati's Pizzaria Butler, NJ
Another option is to get creative and rent a German Food truck to come to your party before or after the broadcast.
The Appetizers
The meat may be the centerpiece for dinner, but we all know that appetizers and desserts can also be the star of the show!
An easy replacement for the oversized authentic Bavarian soft pretzels are the equally delicious pretzels from Philadelphia Pretzel Factory. The Bavarian pretzel is a very common starter. Often, these soft pretzels are served with the Bavarian cheese delicacy obatzda, a beer cheese spread. Looking for something a little more upscale? Find a restaurant who can cater a cheesy baked spaetzel with butternut and bacon or try cooking it yourself!
The Dessert
For dessert, you can serve strudel mit schlag (with whipped cream), or Black Forest-inspired sundaes, topping vanilla or chocolate ice creams with cherry sauce (unstrained), chocolate sauce, kirschwasser-spiked whipped cream (for the adults), and a cherry.
The Entertainment
Now that we’ve covered the beer, the fashion, and the brat, it’s time to decide what your Oktoberfest will look like!
Bring Oktoberfest to you by…
…Renting Games like High Striker, the Oktoberfest game of choice for decades
…Hiring Live Music– Oktoberfest music includes both traditional German brass band styles and modern classics. You can start your search for music here, consider renting an Umpa Band to play at your party, or check out the perfect Oktoberfest Spotify Playlist here!
…Hiring one of many dance groups to come perform and teach your guests how to waltz, polka, and do the German Schuhplattler!
…Booking an online happy hour before the 6 o’clock broadcast — incorporate a virtual beer tasting at your party by using a company like City Brew Tours who offers options for entertainment at a variety of price points and even allows you to order hand-delivered custom pairing boxes
The Decorations
Transform your home into a German celebration! To get started you may want to visit stores online or in person including Party City and Germansteins. Decorate with pine garland, flowers, tablecloths or table runners, white lights, and flag banner garland
How to upgrade your Oktoberfest Party Decorations
-Rent Beer Garden Tables and Benches
-Purchase a custom barrel and/or serve some of the beer from kegs
-Rent decorative structures to enhance your Oktoberfest here
-Decorate with real greenery (pine garland, sun flowers, etc.)
*Continue to check back for more information and updates as the date approaches*
