Last Call at the Deutsches Haus

This time, it's for real.

Seriously, I'm not kidding. Quoted from the website: "[T]he current location of the Deutsches Haus will be permanently closed at midnight on Saturday October 24th the last night of Oktoberfest 2010." And look, it's even noted on this year's commemorative glass.

The organizers of Oktoberfest have made this year's the best one yet, with the party now spilling out onto the street. The standing tables allow for easy eating for more festival goers, though the food lines are as long as ever. Thankfully, the beer still tastes the same, which is to say its cold, refreshing, and makes the perfect way to pass the time on a cool autumn night.

Standing on Galvez Street last weekend, a friend joked about whether this really is the end of the Haus: "Yep, last year I was here for the final Oktoberfest, and I plan on being here next year for the same thing."

I wouldn't take the chance if I were you.

Oktoberfest

June 15, 2007: A group of law school friends and I arrive in Munich via overnight train from Paris. It just so happened that our trip coincided with what was purportedly "Munich's 100th Birthday" - though research has since disproved this fact. Anyway, that Saturday a festival was held in Marienplatz where rows and rows of picnic tables were set up, sausages were grilled, and many a beer was drunk from glass beer steins. The weather was beautiful, the beer was cold, and we were collectively introduced to the radler (a delicious combination of pilsner and lemon-lime soda). It was glorious.

Fast forward to last weekend when Rene, Lindsay, and I attended what could be the final Oktoberfest celebration held at the Deutsches Haus. The weather was a bit cooler than it was that June weekend in Munich, but the spirit of the celebration was much the same. Every man, woman, and child (and there were quite a few of the latter) seemed happy to be inside the Deutsches Haus celebrating for no reason at all, which may be the best reason. No radlers were available, but there was still plenty of beer, including this delicious Spaten.

The food was much better than that of the Hofbräuhaus. Sausages were a plenty, with the bratwurst being the obvious crowd favorite. Dinners include a main dish (stuffed cabbage above), your choice of sausage (there is a brat hiding back there), and 2 sides (potato pancake and sauerkraut). The food in the main dining room is served cafeteria style, so it may not be as hot as you would probably like it. But there's still no doubt that everything, save the sausages, are homemade.

Here is a plate of beef roulade, knockwurst, warm potato salad, and red cabbage. If you asked me what the best choices were, I'd say stick to the sausages, though the schnitzel would be great if you can get a fresh one from the fryer. (All photos courtesy of Mary Magdalene's fancy camera which I conned her into loaning to me.)

This weekend marks what could be the end of an era. Chances are that the Deutsches Haus will be gone by next October. As a tribute to the many men and woman who volunteer their time and make Oktoberfest possible, why not send out the grande dame on Galvez with a bang.

Like you even needed a reason to do the chicken dance.