Oktoberfest celebrations are the perfect way to kick off the fall season, and Crooked Hammock’s 17-day celebration is no exception.
From September 22 to October 8, both Crooked Hammock Brewery locations in Delaware will feature fall beers, live German-inspired performances, fun games and a Bavarian-inspired cookout menu.
“We’re going for sort of Old World-inspired food,” explains Ted Deptula, executive chef at Crooked Hammock.
Crooktoberfest Specials
Appetizers include a veggie fritter, caramelized onion soup and a grilled camembert cheese served with Bärenjäger apple jam and toast.
For the main course, it’s best to come hungry! These super-sized Bavarian dishes are made to satisfy a large appetite. The first dish on Deptula’s impressive Crooktoberfest lineup is a Chimay burger on a pretzel bun. He balances a spicy whole grain mustard with caramelized onion jam and Trappist beer cheese.
“Trappist cheese is traditionally made by in monasteries by monks,” explains Deptula. “They make the beer, then they make the cheese, then they wash the cheese in the beer.”
The resulting soft cheese is a top-notch addition to a perfectly-cooked burger. Paired with the Crooktoberfest marzen amber lager or the Sand in my Schwarz black lager, this burger option screams “perfection.”
In the mood for bratwurst? Try the beer-battered “brat dog” served corn dog-style. This fusion of the Bavarian classic with backyard barbecue-style nostalgia results in a delicious bite. Topped with whole grain mustard and pickled onions, this dish pairs best with a pale lager like Crooked Hammock’s Keller Ledbetter kellerbier.
Crooked Hammock offers full 22.4 oz pours of all four Crooktoberfest beers in branded steins. A supersized beer calls for a supersized entree, and the pork tenderloin schnitzel delivers. This fried 16-ounce pork tenderloin cutlet is served with whole grain mustard, lemon and a bacon Brussels sprout hash.
Taking inspiration from both classic German schnitzel and the fried pork tenderloins you might find in the American Midwest, this take on a schnitzel dish is a total show-stopper. From the massive portion size to the textural balance and mouthwatering flavor, Crooked Hammock’s pork tenderloin schnitzel is sure to satisfy.
Despite how delicious and filling the specials are, we recommend saving some room for dessert. Deptula crafted a flawless finish with the caramel apple affogato. Diners can enjoy a delicious mix of vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce and gingersnaps—after pouring a warm spiced apple cider over the top. We recommend a glass of VunderPumpkin pumpkin-spiced lager to finish the Crooktoberfest experience.
Related: Enjoy Beer and Brats at Oktoberfest Celebrations in Delaware
