Raise your steins to the sky and don your lederhosen in preparation of a variety of Oktoberfest events set to grace Southeast Idaho during the end of September and early October. Dark and moody lagers, brown ales and hair-raising stouts, hopefully served in an overflowing stein, will soon be available at a variety of venues just in time for the autumn season. Kicking off the fall festivities will be the debut of Jim Dandy Brewing's Oktoberfest Marzen, which hits taps during an Oktoberfest celebration on Sept.
21. The popular Palate Street Bistro will also be serving up German inspired food specials to pair with Dandy’s rich new lager. Gate City residents will be able to enjoy German and craft beers from local breweries and distributors during the city of Pocatello's Oktoberfest celebration, which will from 3 p.
m. to 8 p.m.
on Sept. 28 at Lookout Point. This year's event will spiritually replace Brewfest 2, which has been held annually in the fall.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 the day of the event. Downtown organizers are hoping to expand the Oktoberfest theme into a daytime shopping festivity, including the potential for wagon rides and other thematic elements. “We have the opportunity to really grow the event and add some elements and make it a big community celebration,” said Stephanie Palagi, the president and CEO of Historic Downtown Pocatello.
Local restaurants The Yellowstone and The Sandtrap will be in attendance during Pocatello’s first Lookout Point Oktoberfest, with menus that include German style options including pretzels to pair with the full-bodied beverages. “Idaho Rovers will be playing on our small stage at the Burnett Family Pavilion, from 3 p.m.
to 5 p.m. and they will be playing some German-style music for us," Palagi said.
“Then the Kyd J Band will be live on the large stage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.
m. They're a local favorite. They have played at Oktoberfest for a number of years, so we invited them to come play at the first Oktoberfest here at Lookout Point, and they're excited to be here.
” Local breweries Off The Rails Brewing and Jim Dandy Brewing along with the tap house Wanderlust will be providing drinks that include a Dogfish Head Pumpkin Dark Lager, Dark Sky Porter, Pumpkin Spice Golden Stout and plenty of other Oktoberfest-inspired beverages to please even the most discerning of dedicated drinkers. Local alcoholic beverage distributors TEC and Watkins will also be at the event serving beers like Wind River Octoberfest, Thirsty Street Brewing Bison Stout, Grand Teton Fest Bier and many others. “This is a true craft beer event,” Palagi said.
“If you love fall, as many people do, and you love craft beer, this is a great event for you to come and enjoy a beautiful evening.” For those looking to tap into an additional keg and keep the beer flowing, Lava Hot Springs will be hosting its own Oktoberfest celebration featuring a farmers' market from noon until 7 p.m.
on Oct. 4 and 5 at the East and West Parks in Lava Hot Springs. The event will feature music, food, a beer garden with harvest beers, festival booths and games for the entire family.
Patrons of the celebration can also sign up for an outfit contest and are encouraged to don their best dirndls, lederhosen and Oktoberfest-inspired attire. Attendees are also encouraged to visit the local restaurants and bars throughout the week, many of which will be serving thematic specials. With a variety of Oktoberfest events to wet your whistle, there is plenty to enjoy during the fall season across all of Southeastern Idaho.
Lift your steins high. For more information on Gate City Oktoberfest and Lava Hot Springs Oktoberfest you can visit their websites at gatecitybrewfest.com and at lavahotsprings.
org/event/oktoberfest ..
