Happy Oktobeer!

Summer has been ended by that dastardly fall once again and with it comes cooler nights, crisper days and thoughts of winter on the horizon. But fear not, friendly libator! For I have information for you that will help you enjoy the season and maybe even learn to love it. To start, might I suggest a warmed cider with a hint of cinnamon mixed with rum or a flagon of brown ale? If you’re going on a hike, a wineskin full of mead will provide you plenty of sustenance to ascend any mountain. Fall is sounding pretty good already, huh? To make things even better, there’s a number festivals worth noting and only two I get to tell you about: O-Fest and International Oktoberfest!.

But before we get to that, what is Oktoberfest and why do I spell it with a K?

Oktoberfest is a German celebration that actually takes place from late September until the first Sunday in October. Like many things, it wasn’t started exclusively as a drinking festival. Instead, the first Oktoberfest took place on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate the union in a field near the city gates. Needless to say, it was a feast with plenty of beer. It was Bavaria, after all. The first Oktoberfest ended with horse racing, which helped to make it a yearly tradition. If you can’t get married every year, you can at least race horses. Over the years, the tradition evolved from a feast, to an agricultural faire and celebration of the harvest, to a celebration of German beers.

So now that you know what you’re drinking to, let’s talk about where to drink it. Oh wait — before we get to that you should at least learn a few phrases that will get you through any German drinking situation.

Good morning: Guten morgen

Good day: Guten tag

Please: Bitte

Thank you: Danke

Cheers!: Prost!

One beer please: Ein bier bitte

Now that you know more than I did when I landed in Munich years ago, here are some details about the local fests.

Hosted by the fine folks at Doherty’s, O-Fest is in its third year and will be hosted at the Shannon View Inn on October 4 and 5 from 9am – midnight (or until the beer runs out). The Shannon View Inn is on Rt 1 in Warwick, right near TF Green and about a block away from Track 84. Previous years have included a German style beer tent with long tables running the length of the tent and the band on one side. They have also been known to bring a large screen TV for the big games, so no need to worry that you’ll miss a moment.

This year will be no different. The beer tent will be back and stocked with all manner of Oktoberfest beers, pumpkin beers and everything else in between, all on tap. Admission is charged at the door and beers and food are a la carte from there. There will be a brunch in the early hours followed by traditional bratwurst, chicken and potato salad. The festival will go on all day, but it will be punctuated by two live musical acts, The Senders on Saturday from 7 – 10pm and Those Guys Newport on Sunday from 4 – 8pm. The Senders plays a great mix of all the classic rock ‘n’ roll hits from recent memory — everything from Deep Purple to Nickleback. Those Guys Newport are billed as New England’s best high energy dance band and play a wide range of newer rock ‘n’ roll. Whatever music they’re playing, it’s sure to be a good time.

More information: octoberfestri.com

Perennial favorite International Oktoberfest! will be back at the Newport Yachting Center on Columbus Day weekend, October 11 and 12. This Oktoberfest is certainly one of the largest I’ve been to with four large tents full of brew, music, schwag, food and general merriment. Well-known German breweries, such as Warsteiner and Spaten, have been there in previous years. This year they will have Hofbrau Oktoberfest on hand. New England breweries, such as Sam Adams, Harpoon and Shipyard, will also be there to serve your favorites. If you’re not really into beers but still want to celebrate Oktoberfest with your friends, Angry Orchard and Strongbow will serve their own brands of cider.

Key to any Oktoberfest is the music and the International Oktoberfest! will have two return acts, Spitze! and die Schlauberger. Spitze! plays a fusion of American and traditional German/Alpine music with an “explosive horn section.” They also wear Trachten (traditional German clothes, including lederhosen and dirndls)  while they perform to complete the illusion of Munich in our backyard. Based in Orlando, they travel around and play all manner of festivals and Oktoberfests. Die Schlauberger: Alpine Thunder lives by the motto “expect the unexpected,” and plays their own brand of American rock meets alpine power. They have traveled the world and played many Oktoberfests and other celebrations.

There is also a traditional tapping of the first keg ceremony on Saturday and a Stein Hoist contest, sponsored by Sam Adams. The winners of the Stein Hoist have a chance to compete and possibly win a trip to Germany.

Oktoberfest spans the whole weekend; Saturday’s session will go from noon – 8pm and Sunday will be from noon – 6pm. There are a number of ticket options  and purchasing them in advance will save you some money. The most expensive ticket, the Prost Pass, must be purchased in advance. This ticket includes the official Oktoberfest mug, which is a very nice piece of glassware (don’t worry, you can buy it separately), a bratwurst from the bratwurst bar, a sampling of Oktoberfest beers and access to the Oktoberfest lounge. Unlike most other beer festivals, this one doesn’t have specific sessions and reentry is allowed, so you could have a few beers, explore Newport and then come back.

The festival recommends that if you’re looking for a quieter experience, then Sunday is the day to show up. Saturday is usually more crowded and has more of a college party atmosphere. Kids are welcome both days, but the fest recommends Sunday. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to newportwaterfrontevents.com/event/international-oktoberfest/