Germany and Spain may be separated by nearly a thousand miles in a straight line flight. But it's the Oktoberfest and The Westin Manila brings Germany and Spain together in a flavorful weave high above the Ortigas CBD at Aire³²...
In a unique rendition of the traditional annual Bavarian celebration, The Westin Manila presents Oktoberfest with a flavorful Spanish spin high up at Aire³². Spanish Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya shares his signature tapas alongside new offerings for the Oktoberfest celebrations at Aire³². Order up a round of Weihenstephan Festbier plus some tasty bites of Jamon Iberico, Manchego Cheese, Tacos and more and celebrate Oktoberfest with a flavorful Spanish twist. Let's head up the 32nd floor of The Westin Manila for some premium brewed libations from the world's oldest brewery and tasty Spanish inspired nibbles...
Only a handful of bars in the Ortigas CBD can boast of impressive panoramic views of the changing skyline like Aire³². The open air al fresco rooftop bar becomes the perfect spot for magic hour while enjoying handcrafted cocktails paired with exquisite tapas from the kitchen helmed by Spanish Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya with his inspired and modern take on Spanish tapas (for more on Aire³² at The Westin Manila, see my earlier post Up High At Aire³² Bar And Events Venue At The Top Of The Westin Manila from late last year).
The shifting afternoon light reveals another facet of the everchanging skyline, and it's your cue for some refreshing cocktails and savory bites for a Bavarian-Spanish Oktoberfest celebration at Aire³².
The bar light's up to signal the start of Oktoberfest celebration...
...with fresh brews drawn on tap. Weihenstephan, recognized as the world's oldest brewery and continuously operating brewery since 1040 brings nearly a thousand years of history and expertise with each chilled and brew-filled glass stein.
That evening, the world's oldest brewery shared two of its signature brews starting with the Weihenstephan Festbier (P 350-300mL/P 550-500mL) considered by many as the official lager of the Oktoberfest with its rich and full-bodied notes and the classic Weihenstephan Weissbier (P 550), a Bavarian wheat beer with its distinctive cloudy finish and vibrant hints of banana and cloves.
On tap throughout the festive evening, guests enjoyed their bever empty steins filled with the golden brews from Weihenstephan at Aire³² for a proper Oktoberfest celebration.
One more round? Absolutely. Refreshingly crisp with deep full-bodied notes, each soothing sip lingers long on the palate and before long, you're now into the Oktoberfest groove at Aire³².
The ceremonial beer barrel hammer tap performed by The Westin Manila General Manager Alexander Dietzsch and Royal Group Food and Beverage Corporation founder Riko Schachermeyer, the importer and local distributor of Weihenstephan, formally opened the much anticipated annual Bavarian tradition at Aire³².
One more round and you're ready for the Spanish-style bites and tapas by Spanish Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya...
Pair your Weihenstephan Festbier with the Tabla de Embutidos Y Queso (P 1,600), a sampler of Iberico Cold Cuts with chorizo, jamon, olives, peppers, strawberries and Manchego cheese served with pretzels. You can also enjoy the Oktoberfest Combo with one Tabla de Embutidos Y Queso plus two Weihenstephan beers for only P 2,100 from the regular price of P 2,300 for the entire month of October. That's a pretty good deal for a unique German-Spanish Oktoberfest with impressive views of the Ortigas skyline at Aire³².
It's not a proper Oktoberfest without pretzels. Order up the Brezeln (P 350) with two pieces of Bavarian pretzels with smooth aioli dip for your next round of Weihenstephan Festbier. The mildly chewy bagel like texture of the outer layer with its delicate crispness sprinkled with salt over pillow soft bread gives this pretzel the proper bite best paired with a soothing sip.
Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya then served the next batch of his signature tapas...
...starting with the Aire³² Fries (P 550) with truffle mayo, Iberico ham gravy and Manchego cheese...
...followed by the Bravawurst (P 400), a sumptuous plate that brings Germany and Spain together in one dish with German Bratwurst and Spanish Bravas potatoes, a dab of mustard and pickled gherkins. The convergence of both German and Spanish flavor cues combine for a festive celebration you can only find at Aire³².
Another round, this time with the classic Weihenstephan Weissbier sets up the next batch of offerings from the kitchen...
The aptly named Jamon Iberico Bomb is a creative tapas rendition with delicately crisp panipuri shell filled with an indulgently rich creamy center topped with the savory and sharp notes of Spanish Jamon Iberico. Best enjoyed in one bite, a flavorful burst of creamy richness drapes the palate tempered by the sharp, mildly salty hints from the Jamon Iberico for a delicately balanced finish.
It's exquisite bites like these that give Aire³² its distinctive flair when it comes to flavorful expressions by Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya. Bavarian beer with Spanish bites makes perfect sense at Aire³² as you prepare for another round of refreshing sips and savory bites.
The Torreznos Con Guacamole (P 685) with crisp Spanish Chicharon on housemade guacamole served with sherry pinakurat vinegar is another must-try offering at Aire³². The lightly crisp and airy crunch of the pork belly slabs are complemented by the subtle sweetness of the guacamole for contrasting yet balanced flavors. A dip in the sherry pinakurat vinegar cuts through the savory richness of the crispy pork belly slabs.
The Aire³² Nachos (P 850) with Chorizo Iberico, picadillo, smoked cheese sauce, salsa and guacamole brings a festive medley of contrasting flavors and textures that perfect for sharing. The savory sharpness of the Chorizo Iberico are elegantly smoothened by the smoked cheese and guacamole with the salsa adding the finishing touches with its vibrant and fresh notes.
The Taco de Gamba Al Ajillo (P 550) with succulent garlic prawns on soft taco with mayonnaise, cilantro, lime aioli and pickled onions is my pick of the evening. Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya then explained how he enjoys this dish by first snapping the head and squeezing the juices on the special dip. Then, roll up the taco and dip before taking that first bite. And repeat.
Prepare for a fresh bite of succulent briny sweetness with the Taco de Gamba Al Ajillo with another round of Weihenstephan Weissbier for that flavorful German-Spanish connection at Aire³².
But Chef de Cuisine Alvaro Romero-Abreu Raya isn't done just yet. For dessert, the Apfelstrudel (P 350) caps your festive Oktoberfest celebration on a sweet note with that rustic indulgence. The German green apple pastry with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, and honey reduction is the culminating act in a lavish German-Spanish Oktoberfest celebration...
...along with the Aire³² Churros (P 340) paired with thick Spanish chocolate for a decadent duo of desserts at Aire³². Delicately crisp on the outside and soft inside, a dip in the thick hot chocolate brings comfortingly familiar and even nostalgic notes to the palate.
You can now enjoy these and more Oktoberfest offerings at Aire³² for the whole month of October. Designed for social experiences deeply rooted in personal connection and balance, Aire³² is your personal space for memorable moments and celebrations. Including Oktoberfest with that cool Spanish vibe. Book your table in just a few taps and clicks via https://qrco.de/Aire32 and raise a toast to Oktoberfest with a uniquely Spanish flair at Aire³²...
Aire32 Bar and Events Venue is located at the top floor, Level 32, of The Westin Manila, San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City. You can visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/westinmanilahotel/ and https://www.instagram.com/westinmanilahotel/ for updates or call +63 928 550 8109 for reservations.
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