Oktoberfest at Home

Over the years my husband Mike and I have traveled to Germany several times. We've fallen in love with the quaint small towns, the people, and the traditional food and drink. As we prepared to host a small event in our home this September, it just seemed appropriate to go with an Oktoberfest theme since the German celebrations actually start in September.

This past June we were in Wittenberg, Germany during the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Martin and Katie Luther's marriage. Yes, the Martin who sparked the whole Protestant Reformation in 1517. The weekend celebration brought food, beverage, and artisan vendors to the quaint little town. The traditional festival ceremonies took place in the marktplatz and two celebratory parades filled the streets. We embraced being a part of the celebration and thoroughly enjoyed pretzels, wursts, and pints of great beer.

It was fun to develop the Oktoberfest menu and shop for the various items. The basics of the menu are bratwurst sausages, potatoes, cucumbers, pretzels, cheese, fruit, various pickles and kraut, then apple strudel and assorted Northern European treats. The buffet worked perfectly on the backdrop counter of my kitchen. I used cast iron skillets for keeping the hot food hot on the stove top, and used a variety of Fiestaware platters, plates, and bowls for the other serving pieces.

Pretzels - Bread - Fruits - Vegetables

Potatoes - Cheese - Bratwurst

More Pretzels & Toppings

Desserts

Not pictured, the apple strudel and cinnamon & sugar pretzel bites.

We welcomed guests with a variety German beers and wine, and it was a terrific evening enjoying the taste of another country! Without a doubt our little celebration was very low-key compared to a Bavarian bier hall.

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Full List of Menu Items and Sources

Pretzels Spread with Fruit and Cheese

Large Soft Pretzels                                                   The Pretzel Boys

Soft Pretzel Bites                                                     The Pretzel Boys

Cheese Dip                                                               The Pretzel Boys

Spicy Brown Mustard                                              The Pretzel Boys

European Grains & Seeds Bread                             Trader Joes

Large Hard Pretzels                                                 Utz Brand

Gouda & Smoked Gouda Cheeses                          Trader Joes

Raisin Rosemary Crisps                                          Trader Joes

Honey Crisp Apple Slices

Red Pear Slices

Bartlet Pear Slices

Seedless Red Table Grapes

Vegetable Spread

Cucumber & Radish Slices

Cucumbers with Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese

Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes baked with dill, parsley, and sea salt

Pickles Beets

Sweet Gerkin Pickles

Dill Pickles

Main Dish Spread

Beer Bratwurst Bites                                                Hy-Vee Grocery Store

Cheddar Bratwurst Bites                                         Hy-Vee Grocery Store

Frank’s Sauerkraut

Frank’s Sauerkraut & Sour Cream

Pickled Red Cabbage

Ingelhoffer Mustards – Sweet Hot, Dijon, Original Stone Ground

Dessert Spread

Apple Strudel                                                          Costco

Cinnamon Soft Pretzel Bites                                  The Pretzel Boys

Nutella Biscuits                                                       Costco

Yogurt Pretzels                                                        Trader Joes

Mini Stroopwafels                                                   Trader Joes

Dutch Windmill Cookies                                        Trader Joes

Ritter Sport Chocolate with Hazelnuts                 Target

Flowers

Mini Mums                                                              Trader Joes

Sunflowers & Baby's Breath                                    Costco