Germany Invades Greenpoint: Oktoberfest in the Nabe

Fans and devotees of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage got a true taste of Deutschland last weekend, as the momentous Oktoberfest Celebration descended upon the nabe in all its bubbly glory, and some of our favorite neighborhood spots brought the flavor of Bavaria to Brooklyn. And while Greenpoint is usually better-known for its Polish fare, but last weekend, it belonged to Germany.
At Brouwerij Lane, a store known for its serious dedication to specialty brews and craft beers from all over the world, Manager Erik Olsen was holding court with a few beer fans, explaining that the festival started in the early 1800’s as a celebration for a royal marriage. He pulled the handle on a tap to fill a liter mug, and explaining that an Oktoberfest beer is “basically like a pilsner, but with a little bit darker malt. It’s stronger, a little bit richer, a little bit malty, but very drinkable.” The small room with the hay-scattered floor was packed with folks drinking from the four Oktoberfest selections, including the offerings from American breweries Left Hand and Bluepoint, and their German counterparts Spaten and Hofbrau. On the counter, the store tried to offer a bit of traditional German fare, as pretzels stayed warm under a heat lamp. Greenpoint resident Jay Honstetter sat on a stool slowly sipping his 1/2 liter on the drizzly Saturday afternoon. He smiled and remarked that “this is the true breakfast of champions,” going on to say that “any holiday that includes drinking beer is one that I’ll participate in.”

Down a few blocks on Franklin Street, Jordan, the barback filling in as bartender at TBD, pointed out that his favorite beer is brewed in Pennsylvania, but is quick to hand out samples of Kostritzer Oktfest, which he mentioned as his favorite of the seasonal beers his workplace has to offer. Echoing the sentiment of the patron at Broiwerij Lane, he mentions that it is “pretty fun to get drunk for a week” but also points out that it’s a great way to usher in the football season. On one of the couches across from him, a couple sit sipping one of several Oktoberfest selections TBD stocks; The gentleman, whose name is Jim, munches on a bratwurst provided by the bar. Jim lives off the Bedford stop of the L train, but makes his weekly trek to TBD to watch college football. His team, the Wisconsin Badgers was battling the Golden Gophers from Minnesota on the big screen. He pointed at the screen at each commercial break and said “this is my weekly thing, coming to this bar.” Natalie, his girlfriend, leaned over to wipe a bit of mustard off his cheek. He flinched away like a child, and continued his thought, “but this being Oktoberfest, with the German beer, and the sausage, I feel like I’m in Green Bay hanging out with my dad.”
As the week goes on, Greenpoint will continue to celebrate the German festival in its own original way. On October 10th, The Diamond Bar (43 Franklin Street) will combine the normal festivities of the week with the birthday celebration of rocker David Lee Roth. Although Mr. Roth is neither German, nor a local, Rothtoberfest will include three very special fest beers served in wooden barrels, a dart board bearing the face of Roth’s Van Halen replacement, Sammy Hagar, and many other special touches that The Diamond is well-known for. A week later, on October 18th, Greenpoint Food Market will be hosting a very special Oktoberfest celebration at Transmitter Park, at 1 Greenpoint Ave. The event begins at noon, and goes till nightfall, and will be filled with music, beer, and all the bratwurst you can handle.