Music and beer lovers will be transported to Bohemia at Fourth Avenue’s Oktoberfest-themed festivities this Saturday.
Held annually in Munich, Germany, the festival traditionally lasts for around 16 days and attracts beer lovers from all over the world.
Tucson will celebrate Oktoberfest here with the first annual 4thtoberfest on Saturday from 1-7 p.m. at various locations on and around Fourth Avenue.
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The event is open to anyone 21 and over and will feature live music, locally made craft brews and specialty bratwurst.
Specialty brews include assorted options such as Huss’ Rice Pudding Porter at The Flycatcher and Sentinel Peak’s Peach Farmhouse Ale at Cafe Passe.
The event also has a handful of breweries that are brewing beers exclusively crafted for 4thtoberfest, along with some with first-time tappings.
Thunder Canyon’s Oatmeal Stout, Catalina Brewing Company’s Twin Poles and Pueblo Vida’s coconut-infused porter were manufactured exclusively for the event.
Dragoon Brewing Company will unveil a brand-new, German-style doppelbock called Bruck Bock.
“I wanted to make a big, dark, strong beer,” said Chelsea Blue, Dragoon Brewing Company’s the marketing and events director.
The traditional bratwursts found at Oktoberfest will be available for purchase at 4thtoberfest along with various adaptations to the classic Bavarian dish.
Ermano’s Craft Beer and Wine Bar will serve the Pueblo Vida, a Bavarian hefeweizen infused bratwurst with Ermano’s house-fermented sauerkraut and sweet ‘n’ spicy dijon mustard.
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“[Ermano’s] is a bar full of good people who love good beer and good food,” said Bryan Miller, the general manager for Ermano’s. The traditional dish will be presented by a local German butcher who will prepare the sausages to be sold at Che’s Lounge.
“[4thtoberfest] is a fun way to get people on Fourth Avenue,” said Laura Reese, owner of Storyteller Public Relations.
Reese’s company is coordinating this Saturday’s festivities and partnering with the locally owned bars on Fourth Avenue to give visitors the authentic experience of Oktoberfest.
The event will be held in nine different locations along Fourth Avenue. Beer tastings and Bratwurst plates will be held in the various bars and restaurants.
Entrance to the event is free, and a $15 wristband includes a five-ounce logo glass and eight tasting tickets redeemable for all the local brews.
Proceeds from Fourthtoberfest will go to the non-profit community radio station, KXCI 91.3 FM. A portion of the wristband sales will be donated to the station to contribute to construction of its new live broadcast studio in downtown Tucson on Congress Street.
Find more information about 4thtoberfest beer and food offerings (and general shenanigans) on the event’s website: www.4thtoberfest.com.
Tickets can be purchased at Mr. Head’s, Sky Bar and The Flycatcher Tucson.
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