Follow the lederhosen: Check out these delicious Metro Vancouver Oktoberfest events
You'll say 'Prost!' to these food and drink events in the Lower Mainland
It's still September, but Oktoberfest is about to ramp up here in Vancouver.
On The Coast food columnist Gail Johnson says there are plenty of fun, and, importantly, delicious ways you can join in the celebration.
"There are a ton of events taking place over the next couple of weeks, a real range from no frills to a little more refined," Johnson told On The Coast host Gloria Macarenko.
Eagles Club, North Vancouver (Sept. 22, $25 admission): "It's going to be playing oom-pah-pah music before the female-fronted live cover band Search Party takes to the stage for a little dancing. And the club is bringing in German-born chef Heinz Ludwig for the feast. This is going to be a traditional Oktoberfest meal: organic bratwurst, red cabbage, German potatoes, warm sauerkraut, and, of course, a locally baked fresh soft pretzel. You can order beer on tap to go with it."
Parallel 49 Brewing, Vancouver (Sept. 29, no admission charge): "It's offering a pop-up in partnership with the DownLow Chicken Shack ... serving a hot chicken-schnitzel sandwich. You'll also find pretzels, beer mustard, and even necklaces made of mini pretzels. To go with, Parallel 49 is serving its Craft Pilsner and Craft Lager, along with Trash Panda Hazy IPA and, perhaps the beer everyone's been waiting for this fall, it's Schadenfreude pumpkin spiced Oktoberfest lager."
Craft Beer Market, Vancouver (begins Sept. 17, runs until Oct. 7, $60): "It will be serving up a variety of German-inspired dishes including a Bavarian schnitzel sandwich and a pork-and-beer bratwurst. You'll also be able to order one-litre steins of Erdinger Weiss, Erdinger Dunkel and Erdinger Oktoberfest beers. Erdinger brews nothing but wheat beers according to Bavarian Purity Law. It's also throwing a brewmaster's dinner on September 25."
H2 Rotisserie and Bar at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver (Sept. 28, $60): "Beer is being supplied by Red Truck Brewing Company and there's going to be a lavish buffet with several chef stations. So this is your traditional but elevated Oktoberfest. [It] includes a complimentary beer plus a beer stein to take home. There's also a prize for best-dressed, so people are encouraged to come in their finest lederhosen or dirndls."
Johnson also says there are dinners and event taking place at the Vancouver Alpen Club (first three weekends of October, $35); Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours in New Westminster (Oct. 12 and 19, $42); and Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver (Sept. 29, $50).
With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast