There’s something brewing in the “City Beautiful.” It is an event where dames in Dirndls, beer aficionados and the average Joe can all join together in a “haus” of German Tradition. And in a place where jugs of frothy libations are set to flow like a jodeler’s melody and delicacies will consist of Rostbratwürstl and Wiener Schnitzle. It is the 19th annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest!
Presented by Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, the 10-day beer, food and music festival will take place on the plaza, in front of Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, from Thursday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 13. Free to attend, the celebration will kick off at 6 p.m. on Oct. 3 with a customary keg taping ceremony scheduled to be performed by Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason.
The festivities will run 11 a.m. to midnight every day except on Sundays when the hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
The decorated plaza with beer tents will hop to the sounds of Austrian entertainment band “Gastein,” while guests will enjoy hops of another kind — unlimited amounts of ice cold Warsteiner Helles, Dunkel, Warsteiner Oktoberfest Bier and Koenig Ludwig Weisbier. Austrian and German wine also is on the menu, along with traditional Austrian/Bavarian food prepared from executive chef Edi Lerperger and his team at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus.
Wiesenhendl (roast chicken), wurstteller (sausage sampler), Nürnberger rostbratwürstl (authentic Nürnberger brats), Wiener schnitzel, potato salad, giant bier pretzl, apfelstrudel, and German chocolate cake are just a few of the culinary delights that will be available at the event.
Adding to the festivities will be a mix of games and competitions — and not the typical fraternity-style drinking activities of beer pong and flip cup. Revelers will be dared to measure their heritage via Bratwurst eating, beer stein holding and jodel contests for the chance to win complimentary beer, T-shirts, hats and more.
To add more authenticity to the 19th annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest, original 32=ounce beer mugs called ISAR KRUG or MASS — specially brought over from Europe — will be available to purchase.
Joe Koppel and the Original Auerhahn Schuhplattler of Miami will showcase authentic German dances on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m.
On Sundays, Oct. 6 and 13, at 4 p.m., there will be a special Celebrity Bierstein Holding Contest for charity. Raffle Tickets also will be available for purchase of $5 to benefit BRANCHES Grow Deeper, Climb Higher, <www.branchesfl.org>. Raffle prizes are cruises for two, weekend hotel stay and dinners at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Fritz and Franz Bierhaus will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Coral Gables on the beautiful Bierhaus Plaza with an all-you-can-eat buffet for $25 which also includes one draft beer, a live band and a complimentary cake for all.
Admission is free all weekend long. Beer servings are available in two sizes, 14 ounce for $5 or 32-ounce. The original 32-ounce ISAR KRUG mugs will be available to purchase for $32 ($17 for the mug and $15 for the beer) and each refill will cost $15. Authentic German culinary selections will range from $3 to $15. Additionally, corporate or party tables can be reserved for $100 by calling 305- 776-4048.
The 19th annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest presented by Fritz & Franz Bierhaus is sponsored by: Warsteiner Beer, Lufthansa, Dachser Logistics, Casino Austria International, Lenz Moser Wine, Hyatt Regency Hotel Coral Gables, Coca Cola, Great Gables, Styria LLC, WDNA, Niche Importing Co., Community Newspapers, Miami Club Rum, Jägermeister, Coral Gables Chamber, Coral Gables BID, Cheney Brothers, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, Beluga Vodka, Social Miami and Soccerparty2014.com.
