Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest What started as a wedding celebration for a Prince 200 years ago in Bavaria, where they prepared too much beer for the whole kingdom, is now celebrated globally as the annual Oktoberfest. Beers fans from all over gather to celebrate, eat, and drink unscrupulous amounts of beer. In 2018, Oktoberfest in Munich consumed a staggering 7.5 million liters of beer! If you add all the other cities and all the other countries, the volume of beer totaled probably be used to hose down forest fires! In Manila, I have attended many, many Oktoberfests over the years and I can honestly say that Okada Manila’s six-day Octoberfest is something worth going to. Beginning on September 23 until September 28, 2019, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m, Okada will be bringing Munich to Manila! The venue can accommodate 750 people at an 1800 square meter indoor facility. Eat all you can and drink all you can beer…no kidding! I attended one of the nights, and once I arrived, the first thing I did was scanned the area for food, to make sure my stomach is lined up well to drink LOTS of beer, it is Oktoberfest after all. Okada Manila’s Chef Josef Teuschler prepared an overwhelming feast for the six-day beer fest—roasted crispy pork knuckles with caraway sauce; pork belly with potato dumplings; a beef hot pot with braised cabbage; juicy roasted chicken; veal and pork sausages; and sauerkraut. Once I’ve had my meat-fill, I headed to the dessert station and got bites of apple strudel. It isn’t Oktoberfest without the pretzels, so, I loaded up with those too! Roasted crispy pork knuckles with caraway sauce I had to pace myself and eat purposely (yes, there is such a thing) before drinking. My first tap of beer is from the oldest brewery in Germany, Weinhenstephaner. Then I decided to beeline to the tap that served the full-flavored beer brewed only during Oktoberfest, the Festbier. It is a full-bodied pale lager with a clear Pilsner malt biscuit bent, hoppy, and deep gold. It goes down smooth with a great mouth feel and lots of flavor. You will not go wrong with this seasonal beer as it brings Oktoberfest in Munich right to your own taste buds. There are also light beer, dark and crystal wheat beer in the selection. You may also partake of the drink-all-you-can beverage like juices, wine, soft drinks, but I recommend to save space for the food and the great beer because you can only have this once a year. All you can drink German beers! If you close your eyes, the smell of meat, beer, the tastes, and the music from the Vienna band, Alpengaudi, playing in the background, can genuinely transport you to Munich. I suggest that you take your pace if ever you do go to one of the scheduled Oktoberfest days. Have a bit of break in between from eating and drinking to make sure you last through the night. If you feel guilty with all the calorie intake, burn some calories at the games where you can win your own authentic Oktoberfest mugs. They feature Hammer Strength, Barrel Blaster, Bulls Eye, games that all sound like you need to down a hefty amount of beer and burp before playing. There will be a program prepared for the whole evening packed with games and contests to keep guests entertained. Catch celebrity host Will Devaughn (a German) handle “super beer-happy” contestants projecting their appreciation for the food and beer. Beer drinking contest Beer before the Hammer Strength game With the foot traffic, large area, and overflowing beer, I wonder how much beer will be consumed after six days! Catch Okada Manila’s weeklong Oktoberfest this September 23 to 28 at Php4,500 for regular access and Php10,000 for VIP access. Book and reserve through +632 555-7799 or +632 888-0777, email restaurantreservation@okadamanila.com or walk-in and book anytime during the celebration at the Crystal Corridor registration booth.