Oktoberfest To Feature Five Unique Munich Breweries At Taste Testing Pavilion, Sept. 26 & 27

Sept. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- NEWBURY PARK, CALIF.--The Newbury Park Rotary Club's 23rd Annual Oktoberfest is offering beer lovers a rare taste of authentic German beer from five historic Munich breweries. The breweries will be on hand at a beer tasting pavilion and serve at least 16 types of brews. The taste testing will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27 at Underwood Family Farms (3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, 23 Fwy., exit Tierra Rejada, Moorpark). Oktoberfest hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days.

   The five Munich breweries are Spaaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pfchorr, Hofbrau and Weihenstephan. "Weihenstephan is the oldest brewery in the world, dating from 1040 A.D. when beer was first made in a monastery just outside o Munich," says Chuck Hiigel, the Rotary's beer meister and beer specialist with Wine Warehouse. Hiigel is responsible for securing the beers for the Rotary's Oktoberfest. "Weihenstephan is new to California so this will be a first taste for many."

   Hiigel credits Germany's strict brewing guidelines for the distinct German beer flavor. "German breweries stick to the basics--using only grains and water, that's why you get the finest of beer taste," says Hiigel. "Beer aficionados and novices alike will be able to taste a range of Bavarian brews in one setting at Rotary's Oktoberfest. At Oktoberfest in Munich, you would have to venture to each brewery's tent to taste such a variety."

   Not to be outdone, alongside these German beers will be a selection of California microbrews sponsored by JJ Brewsky’s. The tasting pavilion will showcase a northern versus southern California beer rivalry.  "Each region will be represented by four premier brewers," says  Jeff Walker, managing partner of JJ Brewskys Restaurant and Bar. "Taste and decide for yourself which region is best.” Representing southern California are: Stone Brewing , San Diego, Alesmith, San Diego, The Bruery, Placentia and Port Brewing, San Marcos. Representing northern California are Marin Brewing, Larkspur, Bear Republic, Healdsburg, Speakeasy Brewery, San Francisco and
Drakes Brewing, San Leandro .

   All told, Oktoberfest will feature more than 25 beers from California microbreweries and from Munich during the two-day event.

   Festival entry is $10 per person. Admission is free for active duty military with I.D. Beer tasting tickets are $10 for four beer tastings. Free parking. To purchase admission tickets and for a full entertainment schedule, visit www.okto-beerfest.com.


Contacts:
Mary-Catherine McBride            
Rotary Club of Newbury Park         
805-701-7248               
mary-catherine@verizon.net

Diane Rumbaugh
805-493-2877
rumbaugh@earthlink.net