By Timothy Long
“A Wonderful Coincidence or Divine Intervention?”
It has to be more than just dumb luck. There has to be a better explanation. Higher intelligence must have caused it. It’s the ultimate proof of intelligent design.
The fact that the release of Oktoberfest beer coincides with the start of American football and tailgating season is too fantastic to be a coincidence. I believe it to be divine intervention, a true act of God. It’s proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Ben Franklin is credited with saying the above quote. But unfortunately, Ben never actually said it. It’s a myth. But a myth that many people love and choose to believe regardless of the evidence. Why? Very simple, it’s a feel-good quote. And it does sound like something that Ben would have said. Ben was known to enjoy a pint, or two, or three. Here is Ben’s actual quote:
“Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”
That quote sounds more like Thomas Jefferson than Benjamin Franklin. Tom was a true connoisseur of fine wine, especially French wine.
The quote is boring, a bit pompous, and way too pretentious for your everyday beer drinker. And worst of all, it’s about wine. Beer is associated with fun way more than wine is. Wine is “formal” fun; beer is “casual” fun. When we picture Ben drinking, we picture a tankard of beer in his hand, not a goblet of wine. My guess is that the quote was slowly altered and adopted by beer drinkers over time due to their mutual love for beer and for Ben.
Oktoberfest is casual and about celebrating. Tailgating is casual and about celebrating as well.
Oktoberfest began in 1810 and was a wedding celebration. It was held to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The five-day celebration included a horse race, so sport was involved. The festival was so popular it became an annual event.
The first tailgate party at a football game is considered to be at the Rutgers-Princeton game in 1869, the first recorded American football game. Fans on both sides brought food and drinks, and celebrated before, during, and after the game. The celebration was so popular that it spread and grew throughout college football. (Many people proclaim that the First Battle of Bull Run was the first tailgate. It was called the Picnic Battle. But this gathering did not involve sport, unless you consider watching men kill each other a sport, which I do not.) It was the Rutgers-Princeton game that cemented the practice of tailgating as a part of the sporting experience.
The two traditions started 59 years apart from each other. Both are excuses to drink with old friends, reminisce about fun times, and to toast life itself. It’s no coincidence that they occur at the same time of year. It’s divine intervention my friends! Beer is a huge part of both traditions. Undeniable proof that God loves us. I think that even an atheist would have a hard time disagreeing.
And it gets even better! Oktoberfest has two traditional beers to choose from, Marzen and Festbier. Marzen originated in Munich as a way to preserve beer brewed in March for consumption in the Fall. Bavarian law dating back to 1553 prevented the brewing of beer during the summer due to spoilage risks, so beer was brewed in March and stored in cool cellars until Fall. Later in history, this amber-colored, malty lager became the standard beer for the festival. The first Oktoberfest featured Märzen, though the style did evolve over time. Spaten Brewery is credited with producing the first modern Märzen in 1841, a style that became the standard for Oktoberfest. Marzen is characterized by its amber color, medium to full body, and malty sweetness, with notes of toast and bread crust. A prefect beer for fall drinking.
However, as with many things, times changed and so did people’s palates. Marzen is a wonderful beer. But it’s a little heavy and not always suited to all-day drinking, something that Oktoberfest requires. A lighter, more refreshing alternative became the standard at the festival in the 1990s. Festbier is a golden, hoppy, and highly drinkable lager. It is the modern style of beer served at Oktoberfest, having largely replaced the Marzen style. Being lighter and crisper, it was perfect for all day consumption.
Here in the United States, craft brewers produce both Oktoberfest beers. Although our brewers prefer to brew the Marzen style, you will find more and more of them brewing the Festbier style every fall. Both are perfect for tailgating. Marzen for those who want a heavier beer, Festbier for those who want a lighter, crisper beer. I love both myself. (I’m sure you find that shocking.)
With the craft beer trend being ubiquitous, it doesn’t matter where you are traveling for your tailgate festivities. Here are some beer suggestions for a few of the nearby university campuses.
- For UVA fans, Charlottesville VA has Three Knotch’d, Brewery Blue Mountain Brewery, and Star Hill Brewery.
- For Virgina Tech fans, Blacksburg VA has Rising Silo Brewery, Eastern Divide Brewing Company, and Moon Hollow Brewing Company.
- If you’re heading to College Park MD to cheer on the Maryland Terrapins, you can easily find Third Hill Brewing Company beers, or beers from one of my personal favorites, Denizens Brewing Company.
- And if you’re brave enough to go to Morgantown WV and hang with the Mountaineers, Mountain State Brewing Company and Stone Tower Brews both have great beers. Note: Partying at WVU is for professionals only.
So, plan your tailgating accordingly this year and bring or provide both Marzens and Festbiers. Your fellow tailgaters will know that you love them and want them to be happy. And that God does too. Prost!!
About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com
Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations
Blue Run High Rye Bourbon
I’ve grown to love Blue Run Bourbons. I’ve yet to find one that I didn’t like, and the High Rye is no exception. The blending is almost perfect. On the nose, you’ll get cinnamon, caramel, and a bit of rye spice. On the palate, the cinnamon and caramel continue with some charred oak trickling in. As you continue to drink, candied orange and lemon peel start to come out. It has a long finish with rye spice, caramel, and a bit of allspice. At 111 Proof and $90 a bottle, it’s not the cheapest tailgate bourbon. But it’ll blend well with those Oktoberfest beers you’ll be drinking all day.
The Gurkha Fat Boy
This is one fat cigar. It has a ring gauge of 66. If you’ve ever smoked a Nub, they are only 60 gauge. Good luck finding a cutter that’s big enough for this bad boy. I strongly suggest you use a punch, which is my preferred style anyway. Getting our lips around this thing can be a challenge. (Yes, I know that sentence just begs for a dirty joke.) This cigar opens with strong notes of black pepper, espresso, and dark chocolate. As you get into it, the spice subsides, and a caramel type of sweetness emerges. It finishes earthy with hints of pepper baking spices. It’s a mild to medium smoke that’ll be a fun addition to that Oktoberfest beer you’re drinking.
For this cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.