The Octoberfest is one of the most gargantuan European festivals. Although it draws its origins from the early 19th century when it was a celebration to commemorate the marriage of King Ludwig with Princess Therese. It stated with a tasting of a few wines and beers and since then has evolved into a folk festival filled with Bavarian food, music and beer. But since you aren’t heading to Europe any time soon, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the festival. I headed to Atrium Lounge at Taj Lands End to experience some of the best sausages and beer cocktails in Mumbai at the Oktobeerfest.
Beer Cocktails at Oktobeerfest
The thing about beer cocktails is the sprightly, fizzy, fresh flavour that you can get with every sip. The Southern 75 combined two of my favourite alcohols, Beer with a Bourbon. The sweet spicy taste along with the fresh citrusy orange taste of the beer is one flavour that I am going to remember for long. The Heaven on Earth combines Hoegaarden with Cherry Liqueur and Watermelon juice to create a gamut of sweet flavours on my palate.
Sausages at Oktobeerfest
To accompany all the beer cocktails, Chef Hem Singh and restaurant manager Neha Kamat serve out some authentic sausages from the land of Bavaria to enrich our experience. The sausages are served with some toasted bread, caramelized onions, mustard sauce and a whole lot of sauerkraut. But what’s interesting was the choice of meats available. I had for myself the fuck, lamb, chicken and pork sausage. As high quality sausages was something that was rarely found in Delhi during the time of October Fest, this was a good send for me. The dark spicy umami taste of the duck and the slightly sweet taste of the pork sausage was something that sent my taste buds into a tizzy.
Not only do these sausages have a mouthful of flavours but the accompaniments give it another range of flavours: the sweet from the caramelized onions, the sour from the Sauerkraut, the spice from the mustard and some bland flavours from the potato mash and bread. The Oktoberfest at Atrium Lounge, Taj Lands End was one of the best renditions of the festival I have seen in the country and you should definitely head there for a tipple or two.
