From mouthwatering puff bites to savory cheese delights, let’s toast to our favorite Oktoberfest appetizers that are quick, easy, and— most importantly— delicious. Prost!
Baked Fontina
You can never go wrong with a large, melty skillet full of gooey cheese— especially when you add in delicious pâté.
Layer cubed fontina cheese and Black Peppercorn Mousse in a cast iron skillet or baking dish, top with sliced garlic, thyme leaves, and olive oil. Broil until it’s melted and bubbly enough to scoop up. Serve with toasty, flaky bread, or crackers and tortilla chips.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Hearty stuffed mushrooms are always a treat, but when beer is involved they become a requirement.
Clean and chop off the stems of however many large mushrooms you see fit. Sautee stems and green onions and combine with herby breadcrumbs, Campagne pâté, Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and pepper. Fill the mushroom caps and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F. Garnish with parsley to serve.
Mini Grilled Cheeses
Elevate your everyday grilled cheese by introducing decadent ingredients. Simply make 4-5 full-size sandwiches, slice into quarters, and arrange on a plate. Here are a few mouth-watering suggestions.
Wontons
Wonton wrappers are a staple in our kitchen. They can be used to make a quick cup— by pressing them into a cupcake pan and baking— or to make delicious dumplings.
To make a simply satisfying wonton for your party, spoon small amounts of our Truffle Mousse into wonton wrappers. Bake or fry until golden brown, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce— i.e. soy sauce, sesame oil, or spicy mayo.
Puff Pastry Bites
Gently wrap thin slices of any of our pâtés (though a couple of our favorites for this recipe are Chicken & Veal and Wild Forest Mushroom) in puff pastry and cook until light golden brown.
You can also use crescent roll dough in place of puff pastry to save a little time. Feel free to experiment with your own add-ins – like your favorite smoked cheese or veggie – for added flavor.
Serve with a dijon or whole grain mustard dipping sauce, or on their own.
Tips & Ideas for Hosting a Beer Party
It’s football season and you know what that means: Beer. Rules. All.
While there’s only a handful of ways to drink a beer, there are limitless options for how you can throw a beer party to remember. Here’s a handy checklist that will cover the basics you’ll need. Cheers!
There are thousands of craft beers currently in circulation across the US. Seasonal beers or IPAs are an excellent choice for Fall gatherings, especially if purchased from a local brewery.Pumpkin lagers or Oktoberfest beers are also a fun seasonal addition that will be sure to win over the party.
It’s important to remember that beer parties aren’t just about… well, beer.
Presentation is key. Toss out the red solo cups and opt for 16-ounce growlers or Hefeweizen glasses. If you want to channel Oktoberfest, you can’t go wrong with boot-shaped glasses (but maybe don’t fill them up all the way).
While decorations aren’t too big of a deal when the beer is stealing the show, Fall decor of some sort is a favorable option for a beer party. From haybills and pumpkins (if it’s an outdoor party), to fall wreaths and gourds, Fall decor can truly amp up the spirit of your beer-estivities.
Food is important to all social gatherings (and plus, it’ll prevent most people from getting too rowdy from alcohol). While chips and pretzels are great for snacking, we suggest giving your party goers something a little more savory and substantial with our vast selection of pâté. While no one pâté is a better beer companion than the other, our coarse cut pâté, like our Grand Marnier and Pheasant and Rosemary Pâté, are our favorites!
Lastly, when it comes to your beer party, fun is what people are going to take away from it.
Drinking games are a dime a dozen on the internet (or with the right deck of cards) and are easy for anybody to pick up and learn. Outdoor games, like cornhole, are also an easy to play (but never easy to win) October staple. Additionally, music set to the right playlist or station offers the perfect ambience.
Ultimately, know your audience (if not your beer), offer up the best of snacks (wink wink pâté), and give a toast to make this year’s Autumnal beer drinking season one to remember.