St. Benedict's Oktoberfest

9/21/13:

Stars: 4.6 out of 5

Pros: Smart Layout, Huge Beer Selection, Quality Food

Cons: 

     The dictionary defines an Oktoberfest as "an autumn festival that involves merrymaking and drinking beer." Well if that doesn't make you want to participate, what possibly would? BN, MD and myself braved a misting rain on a day that hovered in the 60's in pursuit of just such a fest. We found it at St. Benedicts annual Oktoberfest (St. Benedict Oktoberfest) and right away, I could tell that we had found merrymaking in spades.

     St. Benedict's has been holding this event annually since 2005 with all of the proceeds going to help fund the schools associated with the parish. It is held in the parking lot of the church, which means there is plenty of space for everything. The way the beer trucks were set, the placement of the food & the wine area, the offset entrance and the centering of the main seating area were all very conducive to the movement of a large group of people. It allowed for good flow to and from the drinks and food. I send kudos to the event organizers for the smart set-up.

     We got our steins as we walked through the entrance and headed immediately for the beer truck. The selection available was impressive and immense. There were 35 beers available at the truck plus Lickinghole Creek was there pouring for the very first time in a separate tent. That is a lot of choices. The giant banner hung on the truck listed all available choices and a number which you could use to order them. It was a quick and efficient system that allowed the 3 of us to get several beers without hassle over the time we were there.

     I knew that part of any good Oktoberfest is the food. Sausages and sauerkraut, a tasty combination. BN went simple with a single sausage on a roll and a GIANT pretzel. I had some of the pretzel and it was delicious. Soft on the inside and chewy on the outside, like a good pretzel should be. With a little spicy brown mustard, it was stunningly good. MD and I went a bit more complex with a wurst platter. This was a bratwurst, knockwurst, weisswurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad and a dinner roll. It was a big platter for $8 and very filling. All of the wurst's were boiled in beer and very flavorful. The potato salad was warm and vineragry which made it extra delicious. And the sauerkraut brought a wonderful tang to the bites of sausage. It was an excellent meal and helped keep me on an even keel.

     While we sat under the main tent we had the pleasure of listening to the Elbe-musikanten band (Elbe-musikanten) play some traditional German music. They were very good and brought a lively air to the fest. They even were successful in getting some people up in the front dancing. They really helped add to the overall feeling of the festival.

     By the time we left, we were all feeling very merry. St. Benedict throws a wonderful Oktoberfest. It clicks successfully on all cylinders. I am already planning to attend next year (I'll be going 9/20) and it is something you should ll consider doing as well. We can Oompah together or maybe just share a stein. Either way, it should be on any Richmonders to do list.