If you’re an avid listener of Cincy Brewcast (The ultimate Cincinnati Beer podcast if you’re wondering…) you’ve probably heard me talk about Oktoberfest season a time or two. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a beer drinker, and we’re now taking our first steps into it this year.

There have been a lot of fears that one of the areas favorite Oktoberfest celebrations wouldn’t be back, though, after the festival organizers ran into some money issues and were forced to declare bankruptcy. However… in a move that nearly brings a tear to this local drinker’s eye… it’s back, and better than ever.

Keeping It Local

As you make your way around all the local German Festivals around town you are likely enjoying some imported German beer, right? I’m not going to shame you for that, I’ve been known to imbibe in some ‘not so local’ things from time to time myself. But… I’m a firm believer that celebrating Oktoberfest isn’t just about celebrating things that came from Germany. Oktoberfest is the biggest local beer festival on the planet, after all.

When you saddle up to a table at Munich’s festival, you won’t find any beer that is brewed outside of Munich Germany. It’s all beer made there. As we now have a city that is filled to the brim with amazing local beer, including some downright fantastic local examples of Marzen and Festbier – gone are the days where we have to turn our glassed across an ocean to get something to celebrate with.

Well… that’s the plan now for Covington too. The festival has turned the spotlight on the vibrancy of the local community. The free festival will showcase local music, local artists, local food and of course local beer to bring it all back to where it should be, Covington.

After previous years where the businesses in Mainstrasse Village would experience less foot traffic as visitors opted for street food and beer, this year there is going to be a major focus on reversing that, and putting local businesses front and center.

The Details

You should get out and support this. Events like this are what makes being a drinker so much fun in Cincinnati, where Oktoberfest becomes it’s own season. You should also be thanking Braxton Brewing Company for pushing hard on this effort to make sure that Covington’s Oktoberfest didn’t fade away and end. It’s great to see a brewery that as they grow they still remain focused on being an active part of their community, and play a critical roll in stuff like this.

This years event takes place on Friday, September 6th from 5pm-11pm, Saturday 9/7 from noon to 11pm and Sunday 9/8 from noon to 8pm. It all centers around Goebel park, but if you get your family together and start walking around, the wonderful smells and sounds will lead you toward the fun.