Being in a foreign country can be difficult when being mindful of allergies or food sensitivities since the ingredients can be different and hard to distinguish if it’s going to make you sick or not. For those with wheat or gluten sensitivities, here are some tips on how to approach dining at Oktoberfest without the stress of getting sick.
Know some basic German words:
The German word for “wheat” is “weizen” and “gluten” is…. can you guess? It’s Gluten! Makes things a little easier, right? Make sure to look for these words on the allergens list or ask the server before ordering. As a generality, many servers at Oktoberfest speak English and have heard of the word “gluten-free.”Most food stands and tents have allergens listed on the menu:
Surprisingly a lot of stands have allergens listed next to their menu items. They’re usually annotated with footnotes so read those menus carefully for “weizen.” The ones I’ve checked out did not necessarily have “gluten” so it maybe harder to distinguish if you have gluten allergies. In this situation, it’s always helpful to ask.Truth - Many German Beers are Wheat-Free:
This was quite surprising to learn even for me. Many beers served at Oktoberfest are wheat-free thanks to the German purity laws for beer, otherwise known as the Reinheitsgebot. Only beers conforming to the purity laws are allowed to be sold at Oktoberfest, making it easier to distinguish what is wheat-free and what is not. It’s notable when a German beer has been made with wheat since “weizen” will be in the name or it will be referred to as weißbier ("white beer"). As always with food sensitivities, it is ultimately up to you to decide to try something that could potentially get you sick or not. On my trips to Germany, I have personally tried Helles, Oktoberfest beer, and a few darker beers without any issues as I am sensitive to wheat but not gluten. As for you gluten-free folks, unfortunately you're out of luck on the beer game.
Try the Wine Tent:
Oktoberfest is all about the beer and carbs. Yes, I’m sure we all already know that. But did you know there is a tent for wine? It’s called the Weinzelt. For you gluten free and wheat free folks, this is a prime location to get your drink on! Wine is gluten free and wheat free so rejoice that there is at least one option of alcohol available!German Meats are Generally Safe:
Unlike America, I thank the Germans for not commonly stuffing their sausages with wheat as a cheap filler. German sausages and meats are generally gluten and wheat free! Same goes for the grilled chicken, potato salads, and meat salad. Rejoice in the awesomeness that is red meat and chicken with no gluten or wheat! Of course to really make sure you're safe, it's better to ask before ordering!
Avoid the Cookies:
There is no such thing as a gluten-free or wheat-free cookie at Oktoberfest. They sell these colorful things at many stands but it's okay, you're not missing out at all. They're hard as rocks and not meant for eating. However they do make great souvenirs since they're so dense that you can pack them in a suitcase without breaking!
