Like all good cultural celebrations, Oktoberfest in Boston is experienced through good food and drink. (Oom-pah music is also important, but this article deals in the festive comestibles.) The traditional festival is rooted in Germany, where original observers brewed special toasted-malt lagers that have since become synonymous with the fall season. Set during the harvest and centered on a good time, Oktoberfest eats are shareable comfort foods like sausage sandwiches, pretzels and dishes featuring the bounty of fall.
The traditions continue at Time Out Market Boston on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Fenway food hall’s annual Oktoberfest party features specials from many of the homegrown food vendors, as well as beer samples from nine local breweries. The event also serves as the official unveiling of the market’s new fall beer list—check out the lineup at the bottom of this post. (Sidenote: Is fall the absolute best time for beer in Boston? Discuss.)
To highlight the awesome new brews now pouring at both bars inside Time Out Market, as well as the Oktoberfest eats you can try on Saturday, we met up with Boston beer educator Allo Gilinsky, aka the Craft Beer Concierge, to talk beer pairings for Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest beer pairings at Time Out Market
Chicken Schnitzel from Ms. Clucks Deluxe
Pair it with: Aeronaut Brewing Oktoberfest
Tasting notes: This dish features a breaded chicken cutlet served with spicy mustard and a Japanese-style potato salad. “A truly traditional pairing with this breaded schnitzel is going to be a mug of malty Märzen to wash it down,” according to Gilinsky, who is a certified Cicerone.
Jalapeño & Cheddar Bratwurst from Taqueria El Barrio
Pair it with: Bissell Brothers Precept Pilsner
Tasting notes: “You’re going to want something bright and light to counteract the jalapeño spice of this bratwurst,” advises the Craft Beer Concierge. This faithful rendition of a crisp, German-style pilsner from Maine is just the ticket.
Sampler for two from Anoush’ella
Pair it with: Allagash White
Tasting notes: This dish consists of an array of rich morsels, including grilled losh kebab, hummus with beef shawarma, falafel and fried halloumi cheese. “A sampler full of flavor-forward Mediterranean food just calls for a lightly spiced, flavorful witbier to complement,” the Craft Beer Concierge says.
Sauerkraut Burger from A&B Burgers
Pair it with: Sacred Profane Dark Lager
Tasting notes: “A burger and beer are just a perfect pairing,” Gilinsky says. This Oktoberfestive version takes fall flavors to the ultimate level, sandwiching A&B’s beloved patty on a pretzel bun with sauerkraut, beer cheese and fried pickles. “This light-bodied dark lager is going to help tame some of the acidity of the sauerkraut and the pickles and keep you from feeling too full.”
Cheretzel from Far Out Ice Cream
Pair it with: Jack’s Abby Copper Legend
Tasting notes: This fun flavor starts with a chocolate base and mixes in cherries and pretzel pieces. “With a dessert that’s sweet and salty, you’re going to want something malty,” says the Craft Beer Concierge. Copper Legend, a caramelly Märzen, will “elevate your cherry-pretzel ice cream experience to the next level.”
Bretzels from PRB Boulangerie
Pair it with: Widowmaker Riff City Lager or Counterweight Festbier
Tasting notes: “Try pairing a light lager or festbier to counteract all the salty, cheesy goodness from these baked beauties,” Gilinsky says. The classic, brown, roasty pretzels from Time Out Market’s authentic French bakery will be available on Saturday with a butter spread or cheese sauce.
Pumpkin Oreo Bar from Union Square Donuts
Pair it with: Dorchester Brewing Co. Pie Fight
Tasting notes: Newest to USD’s fall lineup of doughnuts, the pumpkin bar is filled with vanilla buttercream, glazed with pumpkin spice and studded with chunky, house-made chocolate cookies. “Double down on your dose of pumpkin” with a pint of Pie Fight, advises the Craft Beer Concierge. “An amber ale filled with pie spices, it will complement the pumpkin flavors of this delicious dessert.”
Vegan PSL from Union Square Donuts
Pair it with: Downeast Cider Donut
Tasting notes: “Does it get more fall than pumpkin spice and cider? This pairing will have you feeling all kinds of warm inside.”
Apple Cider Cake from Union Square Donuts
Pair it with: Sam Adams Oktoberfest
Tasting notes: “Your doughnut and beer will work perfectly together as the rich Oktoberfest lager tempers some of the sweetness of the cake,” Gilinsky says.
