Oktoberfest!

Enjoy the best that an authentic Oktoberfest has to offer—right in Downtown Akron. The Ohio Brewing Company will host its first annual Oktoberfest at Lock 3 on Friday and Saturday, September 11-12. Enjoy delicious German food, entertainment, prizes and, of course, their award-winning beer.

By: Debbie Gooden
Date: 08/20/2008
Oktoberfest is a 16-day event traditionally held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and running to early October. It is considered to be the world’s largest fair and six million people will attend. Beer is a natural highlight, with huge amounts of authentic hearty fare following at a close second.

Fortunately, for those of us who are unable to make the trip to Munich this year, Akron’s Ohio Brewing Company plans to celebrate the event locally with their first annual Ohio Brewing Company Oktoberfest.

And while this event will likely become an annual pilgrimage for devoted fans of their award-winning beer—and now hamburgers—it is scheduled to last only two days. Block off your schedule for Friday, September 12, from 4-11 p.m. and Saturday, September 13, from 1-11:30 p.m. because you’re going to need two days to appreciate fully all that this new local celebration has to offer. The event will be held at Lock 3, just next door to the Ohio Brewing Company on S. Main Street in Downtown Akron.

“We plan to feature our award-winning burgers and beers, along with a host of traditional German fare,” an enthusiastic Chris Verich explains. He, along with brother Michael, is the owner of the Ohio Brewing Company and together they are also the masterminds behind the new OBC Oktoberfest.  

Executive chef Mark Davis has a slew of traditional German favorites planned to feed the hungry masses, and it’s one of the reasons you’ll need two days to enjoy it all.

The variety is exceptional.

Traditional Bavarian Fries, or pomme frites, are made using Yukon Gold potatoes instead of Idaho as is typical in America, and that’s just how Mark plans to serve them up. He’s also preparing four delicious aioli flavors for them to cozy up with—like garlic, malted vinegar, chipotle and chili ketchup.

Pretzels and beer go hand in hand so Michael is also offering jumbo pretzel rods with a side of mustard sauce.
Bigger appetites require the satisfaction that only a hearty serving of traditional Wiener Schnitzel can offer. Chef Mark is taking huge pieces of sausage and pairing them with green and red peppers, and onions.

A Grilled Bratwurst Hoagie will incorporate a brat that’s been cooked in beer and then finished on the grill with onions and a fresh bun. Then, of course, you might opt for the Kielbasa with Cabbage. “We’re going to serve this with granny smith apples and sweet potatoes that have been cooked in beer,” Mark describes.

And to satisfy her sweet tooth, Mimi talked Mark into making his famous Apple Strudel with Steel Valley Ice Cream just for this occasion. It naturally includes—beer.  Also available will be rib dinners, Rueben sandwiches, mussels, authentic German potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and the award-wining CBG Delight created by Mark. It features a 10-ounce Angus beef patty that’s butterflyed and stuffed with cheddar cheese.

He then smothers melted cheese sauce on top, along with lettuce, tomato and onions and packs the whole thing on a bed of crispy bacon and a toasted bun.

Not to be missed are the acclaimed Ohio Brewing Company beers on tap, including Verich Gold, Cardinal Ale, Steel Valley Stout, O’hoppy Ale, the new Buckeye Blond, Akron Dopple Alt and an Oktoberfest Beer. “Our 20-ounce beers will be available at a special price throughout the festival,” says Michael.

Fred Ziwich, the Emmy award winning Polka band of 2007 and Jack Tady and the Tady Bears, voted best Polka band in the nation for 2008—both of whom will be playing authentic German music—will provide entertainment for the event. Look for games like corn hole to keep the crowds involved in the fun, and Ohio Brewing Company themed prizes for the winners.

Enjoy everything the First Annual Ohio Brewing Company Oktoberfest has to offer on September 12 and 13. While you’re there, visit the Ohio Brewing Company’s classic brewpub, which is located at 222 S. Main Street in Downtown Akron. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. or close, and Sunday from Noon-10 p.m. The website is www.OhioBrewing.com.

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