WORDS Anna Lowder, Brent Rosen
Google “Oktoberfest” and you’re sure to find the usual suspects: damsels in dirndls and blokes in lederhosen, braids and brats, steins, pretzels and kraut. And while I’m certain our readers have few objections to most of the above, Oktoberfest can have an air of tongue-in-cheek cliché about it. So before you turn your nose up at the Lowenbrau-ness of it all, take a second to consider the history of the festival.
Sixteen days dedicated to celebrating beer in Bavaria. The sheer enormity of that much revelry is laudable. Add to it that Oktoberfest (running late September through the first weekend in October annually) is the world’s largest fair with over 6 million participants in Bavaria alone, and you’ve got yourself a party.
Montgomery is not ever going to have 6 million people at an event. That being said, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Oktoberfest Southern style. Here are our picks of the best and most unique upcoming Oktoberfest events.
If you had to guess the oldest building in Montgomery County, you’d probably say a church. Good guess, but you’d be wrong. It’s actually a tavern. Lucas Tavern, on N. Hull Street in Old Alabama Town is the oldest building in Montgomery County, and on Friday October 4, come out and celebrate the spirit of the old tavern at Tavernfest. There will be craft beer and wine tastings, music from The Goat Hill String Band, tavern-style food, and games for the childrens. Everything is set up in a courtyard behind the Tavern; tickets are $10. If you want to go all-in, for $125 you can purchase a “Porch Pass” that will give you and ten of your friends your own private porch on the courtyard, along with a table, chairs, and great views for the concert. All proceeds benefit the Landmarks Foundation. Octoberfest, restored buildings, and historical stories - this sounds like the recipe for making a Montgomery episode of “Drunk History.” I’ll call Comedy Central, you just go to Tavernfest.
Gates open at 6pm, band starts at 7pm. For info call 334 240 4500. Proceeds benefit Landmarks Foundation and help bring more school children to learn about history at Old Alabama Town
Putting their usual spin on the celebration, El Rey and Leroy join forces tonight selling their famous chorizo dogs (house-made pork chorizo verde and vegan chorizo, no less). Live music with three bands - Eleven Year Old, Koko Beware and Burning Itch - is on the cards, and select Oktoberfest beers at both locations.
For info visit burritolounge.com
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is hosting its second annual Art In Concert featuring two renowned up-and-coming bands, The Banditos and St. Paul and the Broken Bones. This event was a massive success last fall, so don’t miss these great musicians on their tour through Montgomery. A gorgeous outdoor setting (chairs and lawn blankets welcome), original music, and food and drink available for purchase … sounds like a great night to us.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and are on sale now at www.mmfa.org/museumInformation or call 334 240 4348.
Don’t let your furry pal miss out on the German fun. Bring your wingman along to BarktoberFest where you can both enjoy the great outdoors at Hampstead. This 3rd annual event features live music, a “Hot Dog Bar” and dogs of all shapes and sizes frolicking in The Tipping Point’s Beer Garden. Proceeds benefit the Montgomery Humane Society. Thursday 17th, 6-9pm, tickets $10 at the door. Weiner dogs obviously encouraged, just for the sheer fun of it.
For info call 334 260 9110.