A taste of Germany and its favorite beverage will come to Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 20, when The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center hosts the 2014 Oktoberfest.
Breweries from all over the country, and one from Scotland, will have more than 100 craft beers on tap from 3-9 p.m. German-style food will also be available.
The Hotel at Auburn University began holding Oktoberfest in 2010, with approximately 10 breweries and 150 people attending, according to Adam Keeshan, executive assistant manager for food and beverage at The Hotel at Auburn University.
"Last year we had about 600 or 700 people show up," Keeshan said. "This year we're anticipating 800 to 1,000 people will show up."
Ticket prices for the event start at $35 if ordered at least 24 hours prior, and include beer tasting and a souvenir glass, according to Allison Duke, social media specialist for The Hotel at Auburn University. After Thursday, tickets will be $45 for general admission.
"We have a lot of people who walked up last year and bought their tickets the day of," Duke said. "That's a disadvantage for them, because they'll be paying $10 more, so we hope people will buy online and save $10."
This year's Oktoberfest will also feature approximately 10 homebrewers competing for the best beer in the Homebrew Alley section. The competition is registered with the American Homebrewers Association (AHA).
Judges certified with AHA's Beer Judge Certification Program will decide a winner.
The best homebrewer will brew their craft beer at the Blue Pants Brewery in Madison in a 10-gallon batch, according to Keeshan.
"Brew clubs from all around Alabama will be participating in Homebrew Alley," Keeshan said.
Designated drivers will be allowed into the event free and given non-alcoholic drink tokens, according to Duke.
Scottish brewery Innis and Gunn will be one of the breweries offering event goers a taste of their product.
Innis and Gunn age their beer in oak barrels similar to whiskey distillers.
The result has grown in popularity since the brewery was founded in 2003, becoming the best-selling bottled beer in the UK and Canada, according to a 2010 report with the BBC.
Along with beer, German-style food will be available to purchase.
"Bratwurst, big pretzels, German potato salad and coleslaw with a German twist will all be served," Keeshan said.
High-definition televisions will be set up so event goers will be able to watch football games that afternoon.
Live music will be performed by Opelika-based band Route 66 according to Keeshan.
Higher-priced ticket packages that include food can also be purchased online at auhcc.com/oktoberfest.
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