The Bestival Oktoberfestival in the Midwestival

It’s the end of September, everybody, and you know what that means…time for the German population of the Midwest (and all those who wish they were German if only to wear lederhosen) to celebrate Oktoberfest. And before you ask, I did not spell Oktoberfest incorrectly. I’m normally the person who hates when people spell things with “k”s when they are supposed to be spelled with “c”s. But in this case, I’m merely spelling it Germanly, which makes it okay. Copper State Brewing Company is all about our German roots and ancestry. Ergo (what’s the German word for ergo?), one of our goals is to be as authentic as we can be when it comes to German brewing and German festivals centered around German beer. Enter: Copper State’s Oktoberfest.

First, some history about this infamous celebration. If you don’t like history, just nod your head and smile while you gloss over this section, but then you might be left in the dark when you come to our Oktoberfest shindig on the 7th, and you will not know why we are doing half of the things we are doing, and you won’t be able to impress your friends with your knowledge of this splendid event. Your call. So here we go:

The first Oktoberfest took place in Munich on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese. To honor his nuptials, he organized a public horse race on the site of today’s Oktoberfest, which was then a humble meadow outside the city of Munich. Ludwig was a classical history freak (much like the owners of Copper State), and so he modeled the day after the Greek Olympic Games. Everyone had such a great time with the games and races that they decided to do it again the following year, and the tradition was born. Oktoberfest has been celebrated every year since, aside from a couple of years where it was cancelled due to unfortunate cholera outbreaks, and that one stretch of time where there was a bit of trouble known as the second world war. Towards the end of the 19th century, someone had the brilliant idea to bring the celebration forward a bit in the calendar to take advantage of the warmer September weather. Brilliant, but a bit pansy-ish. We here in the Midwest are hardy folk, so Copper State will do our celebration this year on October 7th, and if it’s cold, we will suck it up and remember that we chose to live in the frozen tundra because we were tough, and the beer will warm us up.

Back to present day. If you like beer and if you like German food, and if you are looking for some gemutlichkeit (see previous blog post), head on down to Copper State on Saturday, October 7th. You can try out our new fest beer we brewed up for the occasion, and maybe even be crowned Prince Ludwig or Princess Therese (if you’re the best dressed in German attire, that is). There will be games for kids and adults alike, including hammerschlagen and other feats of strength. The day wouldn’t be complete without music and dancing, and there will even be a chance for you to take your picture with the Klement’s racing sausages. Munich can only wish for Klement’s sausages.

It’s going to be a sehr gut time. Here’s the rundown of events so you can plan your day:

· Oktoberfest runs from 12:00-10:00pm. Food and beer are available the whole time.

· Kids’ games and activities from 12:00-5:00pm. Games for adults from 12-10.

· Pictures with the Klement’s racing sausages from 3:00-5:00.

· Live Music—New Generation Polka from 2:00-5:00/Liver Killers from 7:00-10:00

· A chance to sing German beer songs and learn some Bavarian dancing from 5:00-6:00

· Raffle for Copper State Merchandise and prizes at 6:15 (you can buy and win raffle tickets throughout the day)

· Crowning of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese at 6:30—pull out those lederhosen and dirndls if you want a chance at winning a gift card to Copper State!

So bring 20 of your very best friends and join us on Saturday, October 7th. The beer will be flowing, the sausages will be sizzling, the pretzels will be a bite-sized piece of Germany. Dress up like your favorite German (read: no Hitlers, please), and come ready for a good time at the Oktoberfest that Munich is calling “das nachste beste festival.”