PROST! Celebrate Oktoberfest with the Iconic Market Box
The Pacific Northwest is known for quite a few things – smoked salmon, glass art by Chihuli, sasquatch – but nothing is more loved than delicious, stress-relieving beer. With Oktoberfest just around the corner, the thought of another reason to enjoy a beer is enough to be excited about. While we can’t travel to Germany just yet, it does not mean we can’t celebrate at home, bringing the festivities directly to you! We have included two delicious recipes for German inspired side dishes, not to mention all the ingredients you will need to make them to go along with the rest of your delicious box treats so you can celebrate Oktoberfest with the family!
Looking for some Oktoberfest-inspired recipes? Scroll to the bottom of this article to learn more!
Old Stove Brewing Company
Did you know that you can enjoy an incredible beer and a beautiful waterfront view all at once in Pike Place Market? The place to do that is at Old Stove Brewing Company, the anchor tenant of Pike Place Market’s Market Front building. The main space opened to the public in 2017, but the brewery started serving guests a year earlier at a taproom location along the Market’s 1 st Avenue storefronts. Here, Old Stove Brewing Co-founders Chris Moore and Brian Stan followed their dreams of running a business in the iconic Seattle farmers market by living up to the Market’s tradition of “Meet the Producer” – all beer is brewed in open view of the community and guests, and staff are always available to share in the knowledge to those curious about the beer making process. Since its opening, Old Stove has become a destination in Seattle craft beer scene and their beer has even won local and regional awards among its peers in the industry.
To celebrate Oktoberfest, Old Stove is offering Iconic Market Box customers a special coupon for a BOGO free pint of their Oktoberfest Festbier Lager. Their space has recently re-opened to allow guests to enjoy craft beer inside, all while maintaining safe social distancing guidelines. Prost! Follow Old Stove Brewing on Instagram @oldstovemarketfront.
Pike Brewing Company
One of the most well-known and beloved breweries in Seattle, Pike Brewing Company has been an influential part of Seattle’s craft beer scene. Pike Brewing was started in 1989 by Charles Finkle, and his late wife Maryann. The two remained owners and part of the operations team for over 30 years, and if you ever have the pleasure of meeting them, you can tell beer is their passion. The brewery originally started in Pike Place Market on Western Avenue before moving to its current location next door in 1991.
As a special treat with the recent reopening of their craft brewery restaurant, Pike Brewing Company has provided a coupon for a complimentary pretzel platter for each Iconic Market Box. Each platter comes with three large German-style pretzels, along with three dipping sauces, including their beer cheese sauce and XXXXX stout infused stone ground mustard. Follow Pike Brewing on Instagram @pikebrewing.
The Brewmaster’s Bakery
If you have a friend or family member that LOVES everything beer, then make sure to tell them about The Brewmaster’s Bakery, a beer-themed bakery in Renton, Washington. Family-owned and operated, the business got its start in 2015 when owner Marley Rall watched her husband, Garrett and bother-in-law, Justin homebrew. Wanting to get in on the action, she took the spent grains from homebrewing to bake dog treats. From there, the family’s love for delicious tasting and smelling beer and baked goods found its niche, offering a variety of baked goods and beer-related treats. The bakery also has a sister taproom called The Brewmaster’s Taproom in Renton.
This week, the bakery is adding two specialty items in the Iconic Market Box: Dark Persuasion Beer Jelly and Drunk on Pumpkin Spice Beer nuts, the second a Savor Seattle exclusive! Both items obviously go great with a cold pint of your favorite lager! Follow The Brewmaster’s Bakery on Instagram @thebrewmastersbakery,
Frank’s Quality Produce
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there is no better place than Frank’s Quality Produce, located at the Corner Market Building of Pike Place Market. Three generations of the Genzales’ family have had a presence in the Pike Place Market, starting with Frank “Cheech” Genzale in 1928, and now Frank Jr., the current owner and operator of Franks’ Quality Produce. Locals choose this stall not just for the high quality of produce, but because of the people that make this stall so special. It is not a rarity to find team members recommending recipes or describing flavors of veggies unfamiliar to those who pass by or visit. It is that kind of quality service that keeps locals loyal, and why we love working with this amazing family-owned small business.
Each week, Iconic Market Boxes include a box of produce, curated by Frank Jr. and his team. The produce changes each week based on availability and season, ensuring that our customers get the best produce available – much fresher and better than what you find at the grocery store! Follow Frank’s Quality Produce on Instagram @franksqualityproduce.
Uli’s Famous Sausage
Did you know that Pike Place Market is home to a German master butcher? Uli Lengenberg trained as a butcher in his home country of Germany, and later took his talents global. He started his first sausage business, Uli’s Euro Deli, in Taiwan and operated it for 15 years. There, he learned about the different flavors of the world. Uli made his first visit to America in 1991, which included Pike Place Market. The Market reminded him of the markets in Germany, and he promptly decided to move to the Puget Sound. Since 2000, Uli’s Famous Sausage has been sold both in wholesale and retail, and customers can visit their dine-in location in the Pike Place Market, Uli’s Bierstube.
This week’s Iconic Market Box includes a 1-pound package of Uli’s Beer Bratwurst links (about 4 large links, pretzel buns in photograph not included). A favorite of Uli himself, these antibiotic-free bratwurst links are made with all-natural pork sausage and infused with beer and other bold spices. Stab with a fork and dip in mustard or slice with a knife and fork if you fancy. Follow Uli’s Famous Sausage on Instagram @ulifamoussausage.
Made in Washington
“Locally Inspired. Locally Made. Loved Everywhere” – That’s the motto at Made in Washington, a gift shop located in the middle of Pike Place Market’s Post Alley. Since 1984, the shop has provided a space for local artists and entrepreneurs to be seen by market visitors looking for a piece of the Pacific Northwest to take home. At Made in Washington, everything is literally made in Washington. Furthermore, their offerings range from specialty foods and drinks to hand-crafted glass artworks that represent our region’s diverse culture. It is a great shop to visit if you are short on time when visiting Pike Place Market, or if you are looking to ship gifts home directly.
This week, Made in Washington is providing Mustard & Co.’s classic mustard and Firefly Kitchens’ Emerald City Kraut. This mustard has a zip like no other and is a major upgrade compared to the other mustards you see in the grocery aisle. The Kraut is made with green cabbage and kale and flavored with turmeric, coriander and dill for a bright and fermented kick. Produced locally and using the finest ingredients, both products are sure to delight as perfect condiments to your Oktoberfest eats. We recommend them both to pair with the Uli’s sausages! Follow Made in Washington on Instagram @madeinwashingtonstores.
Macrina Bakery
Leslie Mackey’s Macrina Bakery is a Seattle favorite when it comes to the humble bread loaf. Not only are there multiple bakery and café locations throughout the city, her products are available in local fine food retailers and groceries as well. Chef Mackey’s love for bread and the communion that happens when food is shared is where the bakery’s philosophy is based from, which is why their stores have community spaces that are important to the bakery’s success.
In this box, you’ll love Macrina’s 4 pretzel rolls provided. Soft in texture with it salted exterior, we recommend slicing the rolls, add crispy bacon then dip into premium mustard for a Bavarian taste of Germany. Follow Macrina Bakery on Instagram @macrinabakery.
Michou Gourmet Deli
A favorite among the crafts line vendors, artists and pretty much everyone who works in the Pike Place Market, Michou World Class Deli makes another appearance in this week’s iconic Market Box. Michou’s bounty of panini-style sandwiches, soups, dips, desserts, and salads are beloved for their use of great quality ingredients, and lines are common in the morning and during the lunch rush.
Michou takes our taste buds for a journey to Bavaria with their German Potato Salad. With hearty chucks of red potato and sliced sausage, this dish is as good as a main dish as it is a side dish. Follow Michou Deli on Instagram @michoudeli.
Corfini Gourmet
Though technically not a business within the Pike Place Market, Corfini Gourmet is not your ordinary distributer. This chef-driven company supplies the meat and seafood to some of the most well- recognized restaurants and shops in the city! Based in Seattle, their customers consider them to be a leading distributer amongst their peers for clean beef, pork, poultry, lamb and game programs. They are also able to provide customers dry-aged products with the use of their unique dry-aging facility that is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest.
This week, Corfini is providing us with 1-pound of thick-cut bacon from Carlton Farms. Because bacon and beer go amazing together, duh! Follow Corfini Gourmet on Instagram @corfini_gourmet.
Le Panier
If you love the smells of fresh-baked croissants and French press coffee, then you will love Le Panier in Pike Place Market. Started in 1983, the bakery blends together precise French technique with the local bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Signature items include the classic French baguette, almond croissants, and macarons. Today, as the Pike Place Market reopens, it is still the talk of the town, with lines still out the door.
This week, you will find Le Panier’s Sable noisette cookies in your Iconic Market Box. These buttery hazelnut shortbread cookies are the perfect sweet snack following a dark and bitter beer, and not to mention a perfect midnight snack. Follow Le Panier on Instagram @lepanierbakery.
Chukar Cherries
If you ever enjoyed the morning version of Savor Seattle’s Signature Tour of Pike Place Market, you would remember your stop at Chukar Cherries. This day stall has been in business for over 30 years and is well known for their inviting staff, offering tastings to anyone who asks. The business was founded by Pam Montgomery, a Seattleite with no farming experience but a love for the outdoors. Seeing her small family grow, she they should move out of the city and found a property in Prosser, Washington that just happened to have a few cherry trees on it. Those “few” cherry trees turned out to be over a thousand Bing cherry trees, and many were left unattended after picking season ended. Pam soon realized the leftover cherries did not spoil on the tree, but rather the Eastern Washington sun and the natural sugar in the cherries lead to natural preservation. After eating one, she realized that the dried cherries were delicious and promptly started to cook with them, creating delightful treats. However, the biggest hit was covering those dried cherries in chocolate, and the rest is history!
You will find Dark Forrest Cherries in this week’s Iconic Market Box. These dried Bing cherries are dipped in ultra-dark chocolate and then dusted in cacao. Utterly delicious and indulgent, it is Chukar Cherries’ founder’s personal favorite confection that they offer. Try not to eat the whole bag at once! Follow Chukar Cherries on Instagram @chukarcherries.
Middle Fork Roasters
In 2009, a close-knit group of friends and coffee-lovers decided to put their passions first and began roasting coffee in the heart and soul of Seattle’s coffee scene. Since then, they have been regularly active in their community, giving back whenever they can and working with other businesses to help make their own coffee dreams come true. In fact, Middle Fork Roasters are responsible for providing the beans to many businesses around Seattle, including those in Pike Place Market.
We’re psyched that Middle Fork created the Savor Seattle Blend – a combination of Brazilian and Sumatran beans, delivering a bold yet buttery body with rich chocolate undertones. This laid-back blend provides an incredibly clean finish that is perfect for easing into your morning routine. Every “The Works” version of the Iconic Market Box includes a 1 lb. bag of whole bean coffee. Follow Middle Fork Roasters on Instagram @middleforkroasters.
Oktoberfest Recipes
Speckbohnen (German Green Beans)
Makes Three to Four Servings
The simple addition of bacon makes for a tastier side dish than the green beans alone.
- 6 oz green beans, stems removed
- 3 tsp. salt
- 1.2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup of onion, diced
- 3 oz. bacon, cut into 1.2 inch strips
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the water.
Put green beans into pot of boiling waterand cook for 4 minutes, or until beans are bringht green in color.
Using a colander, drain green beans and immediately rinse with cold water until green beans are cold to the touch. This will lock in the bright green color and tender crusp texture!
Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion to the pan and saute for one minute. Add the bacon to the pan and cook until the bacon is beginning to crisp.
Add the cooked beans and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly, then serve.
Perfectly Whole Roasted Beets
Makes Four Servings
- 4 beets (medium, red or golden, throughly washed)
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut 4 sheets of foil, each large enough to wrap a beet. Place 1 beet in middle of each sheet of foil. Drizzle each beet evenly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Tightly wrap foil sheet around each beet and place on a baking sheet.
Roast beets for 60-70 minutes on middle rack of oven, intil easily pierced with a fork to see that beets are done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
Allow beets to cool for 20 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
Unwrap beets. Rub skin from each beet with spoon and discard. Slice beets as desired.
Serve or refrigerate.
