Oktoberfest at Hawaiian Outrigger?

Outrigger Reef on the Beach is poised to celebrate Oktoberfest in true Bavarian style, 
offering traditional dishes, music and Oktoberfest beer

WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, HAWAII – Bringing a taste of Munich to Waikiki, Outrigger Reef on the Beach will host its first-ever Oktoberfest event this October 17 to 19 – welcoming guests and locals alike to come enjoy traditional Bavarian food and festivities.
Guido Ulmann, the German-Swiss executive chef from the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, will be expertly preparing all of the traditional dishes associated with Oktoberfest. Chef Ulmann – who is trained in fine dining and who has held posts in five-star European hotels, including the Hôtel du Rhône in Geneva, Eden au Lac in Zürich, and at The Schweizerhof, in Lucerne – got his start in his mother’s kitchen, helping to prepare meals for his seven siblings. He is now fulfilling his childhood dream of creating new and interesting recipes for Hawaii residents and visitors at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. 

“I love how food enables diners to visit another culture, without hopping on a plane,” says Chef Ulmann. “Oktoberfest at the Outrigger Reef provides a fresh opportunity for our guests to enjoy the flavors of Europe and merriment of the Oktoberfest traditions, right here on the shores of Waikiki.”

In the spirit of Oktoberfest, The Edelweiss Trio will be performing traditional German music, dressed in authentic Bavarian dirndl and lederhosen. The Edelweiss Trio has become a staple Oktoberfest performers having performed in Honolulu for more than 35 years, bringing their particular brand of oom-pah to the islands.

Naturally, beer is the center point of any Oktoberfest celebration, and the Outrigger Reef will be featuring Sam Adams’ Oktoberfest seasonal craft brew, served by the glass and by the pitcher. The brewery uses two varieties of Bavarian Noble hops to add a tinge of bitterness to this traditional, deep red amber lager. It is released in small batches each autumn. Imported and domestic bottled beers will also be available. Outrigger Reef also will be serving a selection of delicious Rieslings by the glass or by the bottle. The German climate has proved perfect for the cultivation of Riesling grapes, and the production methods have been perfected for centuries, producing complex, aromatic wines that run the gamut from dry to sweet. Other featured beverages will include German Schnapps, in the form of Kirschwasser (cherry) or Goldschläger (cinnamon). There will also be Jägermeister, an ever-popular German concoction of 56 herbs and spices, originally produced as a digestif, but most often imbibed as a shot. The traditional Bavarian menu will include bratwurst (pork sausage), bockwurst (veal sausage), German potato salad, spaetzle (German pasta), sauerkraut, and Bavarian apple raisin strudel. Guests will be invited to expand their palate and vocabulary by tasting Chef Ulmann’s kasseler rippchen (smoked pork loin), which sounds suspiciously similar to, and as delicious as Hawaii’s own kalua pork. By special pre-order, Chef Ulmann will prepare schweinehaxe for the hearty appetite, a three-pound ham shank that is roasted and pickled, and served with sauerkraut and German mashed potatoes ($32.00). 

The original Munich Oktoberfest in 1810 was a royal marriage celebration that spanned several weeks, and included horse races and a parade. For over two centuries, its popularity has spawned friendly cultural celebrations around the globe, bringing together people of German heritage, or anyone looking for good food, great beer and a fun time.

The Outrigger Reef Oktoberfest celebration will be held October 17 through 19, from 5 to 10 p.m., in the hotel’s Diamond Head Terrace. Live music by the Edelweiss Trio will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening. Food will be served ala carte, with prices ranging from $13.50 to $32 for entrées (inclusive of tax and tip). Cover charge to the event is just $10 and validated valet parking is $6. Reservations can be made by calling (808) 924-6025.

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is an oceanfront haven of island comfort and gracious hospitality with an unparalle
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