Auburn's Earthfare hosted its first Oktoberfest Friday from 5-7 p.m.
The event was the brainchild of Lacey Updegraff, communication relations coordinator for the store.
Updegraff said she came up with the idea more than a month ago.
"I do events in the store as much as we can," Updegraff said. "Oktoberfest is just a great event that everyone sort of recognizes, and it goes along well with our specialty department."
Oktoberfest is traditionally recognized as a German festival that runs for several weeks from the end of September into the beginning of October. It is known, among other things, for its dedication to food and drink.
Earthfare's interpretation of Oktoberfest involved a celebration of all things German, primarily German food.
Free food samples were scattered around the store, including apples and caramel, homemade pretzels, German cheese and baked turkey legs.
Erik Abbo, food services manager at Earthfare, said the store wanted to make as many German foods as possible for customers to try.
"He's got cheese, and he's got beer, and he's got brats and rats and sauerkraut," Abbo said, pointing out a co-worker handing out free samples.
Abbo said the food tastings were already popular among customers by 5:30 p.m.
"It's pretty good. Actually, it's really good," he said. "We haven't tried anything like this at the store, so it's a learning curve."
Several beer tastings were also held throughout the evening, offering samples of Samuel Adams Octoberfest and Maren Dogtoberfest beer.
One section of the store was also devoted to a free German cooking class, which was conducted by Jenny Hobbs of Humble Pie Catering.
Participants were able to observe as Hobbs prepared a meal in front of them and explained the process.
Packets of sample recipes were also available for observers to take home. The recipes included warm German potato salad, beer, brats and apple strudel.
Sara Collins, Earthfare customer, said she shops at the store at least once a week and found out about Oktoberfest through a Facebook notification.
"Well, I knew it was happening, and so I decided to get some groceries and partake," she said.
Collins said she planned to make her way around to each of the samples available in the store.
"I'm pretty sure that there's not going to be anything that beats the beer," she said.
According to Updegraff, events such as Oktoberfest are not uncommon at Earthfare.
A taste fair was held several weeks ago with samples such as grilled mushrooms, beer and wine, Updegraff said.
"We had people cooking in all sections of the store," she said. "People could come taste it."
Updegraff said the purpose of Oktoberfest, and all other events, is to encourage people to broaden their horizons.
"We try to do as many events as we can just to get people to try stuff they never have before," she said.
Events such as Oktoberfest are popular, but are not the only time the store offers samples to customers, Collins said.
"They always have like somebody cooking some food or free samples out," she said.
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