The 6 Must-Try Bavarian Favorites At City Of Dreams Manila’s Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is one of the most anticipated events of the year for beer aficionados! Dubbed as one of the authentic German beer festivals in the Philippines that features classic German traditions, Bavarian culinary specialties, loud traditional Oktoberfest music, and over-flowing beers. Held last October 11 to 15, City of Dreams Manila brought in six must-try Bavarian favorites as one of its Oktoberfest highlights. But it wasn’t just the overflowing of imported and local beers that made an impression. It was the well curated display of Bavarian treats, live music from local bands, and the chic interior of the famed Chaos Nigh Club that created the unique ambiance which will surely make the City of Dreams Manila’s Oktoberfest something to look forward to each year.

Here are the six German delicacies that were served during City of Dreams Manila’s Oktoberfest:

1. Brazenly Brezel – German Pretzel

One of Oktoberfest’s staple breads is the pretzel. It has a crispy crust, chewy soft body and shaped like a praying monk as traditional stories relate that the unique bread recipe originated from a Roman monastery and incorporated dipping the dough into a lye solution before baking, to give it a distinct taste and texture. The pretzel is best enjoyed with a wheat-type beer, cold cuts such as black forest ham, bierwurst, gelbwurst, cervelat, and air-dried beef salami.

2. For better or wurst – a selection of German sausages

Hearty sausages are the main tandem of the Oktoberfest beers. Guests are spoilt for choice with Weisswurst – Bavarian veal and pork sausages, Bratwurst – German pan-grilled pork sausages, Nurnberger – traditional Nuremberg veal and pork sausages, Knacker Bockwurst – Northern Germany smoked pork sausages, Thuringer – smoked beef sausages, and Wiener Wurstchen – Viennese chicken and pork sausages.   The assortment of German sausages can also be enjoyed with breads, pretzels, German mustard and condiments.

3. No Hoax grill haux – roasted pork knuckles

Bavarian roasted pork knuckles is a traditional Oktoberfest specialty. It’s hard to say no to crackling skin and tender meat of pork knuckles paired with any of the international beer.

4. Munich Munch for Beef Goulash

The light beer tastes best with light dishes and heavy beers such as stouts go well with the comforting and mouth-watering Bavarian beef stew with red wine, paprika and potatoes served during the festivity.

5. Sour Cravings for Sauerkraut – Fermented Cabbage Stew

Oktoberfest flavors will not be complete without Sauerkraut, the finely sliced cabbage fermented with lactic acid. This delicacy has a distinctive sourness that enhances the taste of the German sausages.

6. Bavarian Dessert – Apfelstrudel with Vanilla Sauce

Apple strudel is a popular Austrian dish but is also one of the traditional southern German desserts reserved for special occasions. The strudel dough is thin, elastic and smooth and filled with apple and cinnamon. This dessert is a sweet ending to the German beer festivities.

Of course, the celebration would have been dull without the wide array of local and international brew selections from Germany’s Weihenstephaner Oktoberfest beer, Scotland’s Brewdog Lager and Ale, England’s Newcastle Brown Ale, Belgium’s Stella and Duvei, Ireland’s Guinness Extra Stout Pint, Philippines’ San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Light, China’s Tsing Tao and to Singapore’s Tiger.