Roll out the Oktoberfest barrel at Whistle Binkies
Sep. 25—If the beer is flowing and the crowd is noisy, there's a good chance that Oktoberfest is underway.
One of the most anticipated of fall events it's not just celebrated in Munich, but also across Europe as well as in this country, including our own Rochester. Actually today marks the second day of the celebration at Whistle Binkies Olde World Pub (3120 Wellner Drive NE), which continues through Oct. 1 at that location, followed next week — Oct. 2-8 — by festivities at Whistle Binkies on the Lake (247 WoodLake Drive SE). This has been their tradition for at least 20 years, started by former owner Randy Lehman and now carried on at this location by new owners at both places.
Beer is the beverage of choice and there's plenty of it. The menu is also set, though it varies a little from year to year. Public pressure keeps several items on the menu — jaeger schnitzel, sauerbraten and rouladen.
"We even have customers who call and ask us to save portions for them," said Dani Stoos, one of the owners.
Each specialty is offered on a particular day, so if you're looking for a particular item, it's best to know the schedule at each location. (Check
for schedules as well as below). All are served with sides of red cabbage, potato salad, some with sauerkraut and rosti potatoes. Whatever you choose you will not be disappointed.
Chef James Boelter at the Lake location is an experienced cook of German cuisine.
"I've been doing this for close to 20 years, first at the north location, and now here," he says. "I try to change things up a little every year though we have to keep the rouladen, sauerbraten and schnitzel. If those weren't included it wouldn't be Oktoberfest."
Aside from those favorites, each chef determines the other Oktoberfest dishes to be included, often different at each location..
For both chefs and their staffs say is a massive effort as they serve at least 300 customers each night. Nearly everything is made and prepared in-house.
"Anything I can make, I do, from the different main dishes to all the sides," says Boelter. The only thing they don't do is brew the beer, which they sell in amazing quantities because what beverage pairs best with Oktoberfest foods? Biggest sellers are Schells, Summit and Little Thistle. They also offer specialty drinks like a German bulldog and a German chocolate cake martini.
Local breweries also have their own Oktoberfest events. On Sept. 30, Forager Brewery bill be filled with activities from 1-5 p.m., including two special brews — Maple Marzen and Humble Forager Hidden Headwaters. That same day, Kasson's Chaotic Good Brewing gives a nod to Oktoberfest with its Oktoberfest beer described as a riff on the classic Marzen-style brew. A food truck, Espadin, cooking exclusively German foods will be on the brewery's site as well.
Oktoberfest is one of the oldest, almost continuous festivals. Originally it was a three-day celebration for the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Theresa Von Sachsen in 1810.
In spite of the name, German Oktoberfest events usually begin mid-September and continue into early October with folk dancing, bands, carnival rides and inordinate amounts of food. People often dress the part with lederhosen for men and dirndls for women.
In Munich, 14 different beer tents are kept very busy. Interestingly, the only beers allowed at the Munich event are those brewed in Munich itself. There are just six: Spaten, Augustiner (the oldest, dating to 1328), Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr.
While here we can't come close to that, we sill have the opportunity to have a taste of an event that has a long history and still have a great time doing it. Prost!
The daily Oktoberfest main dish specialties at Whistle Binkies Olde World Pub:
* Sept. 25: Bratwurst balls with sour cream mustard sauce.
* Sept. 26: Jaeger schnitzel with mushroom gravy.
* Sept. 27: Konigsberger klopse with mustard cream sauce.
* Sept. 28: Sauerbraten with red cabbage.
* Sept. 29: Beef rouladen with red cabbage.
* Sept. 30: Chicken schnitzel with red cabbage.
* Oct. 1: Bavarian sausage platter with sauerkraut.
The daily Oktoberfest main dish specialties at Whistle Binkies on the Lake:
* Oct. 2: Sausage with spaetzle.
* Oct. 3: Sauerbraten with red cabbage.
* Oct. 4: Jaeger schnitzel.
* Oct. 5: German spaghetti.
* Oct. 6: Beef rouladen.
* Oct. 7: Konigsberger klopse.
* Oct. 8: Grilled ring bologna.
Post Bulletin food writer Holly Ebel knows what's cookin'. Send comments or story tips to
.
