Other than being a few refreshing choices for an early Spring day in Florida, Ivanhoe Park is putting a Vienna Lager in cans and a Radler on draft for a specific reason. It’s six months until Oktoberfest.
The Orlando-based brewery has found a unique way to celebrate the German-themed holiday by doing a Half-Toberfest in the spring. Instead of a traditional Fall Marzen, the brewery put out the Lager in both cans and draft with the Radler on draft as well with many Oktoberfest-like events instead.
CEO and founder, Glenn Closson, told Brewer they kicked off the idea in 2020 and had to switch to a virtual event because of the pandemic but the 2021 event was in person.
They learned a lot and are now planning the 3rd annual event for this March right now.
“In 2021 … the people definitely came out,” he said. “We had German music, a stein-holding contest, best dressed in German attire, and such. It was a huge success and we’re looking to add even more this year.”
Ivanhoe Park does not do a normal Oktoberfest, so this gives them a unique way to celebrate.
READ MORE: Brew Review: How Oktoberfests Blur the Lines Between Summer & Fall Seasonal
”There seemed to be so many Oktoberfest events in the Fall that we wanted to try something different,” Closson said. “To make it even better, we chose to sell half-liter glassware and serve German food in halves (half a bratwurst, half a pretzel).
”Even though Marzen is usually due to the brewing process starting in March, we figured it can work to celebrate the finishing of the brewing process in March.
The event kicks off at noon with a firkin that is tapped with a hammer and mallet as they do officially in Germany and with the Mayor tapping the first keg.
There are also games to play outdoors with corn hole and giant Jenga set up along with a photo booth for event-goers to show off their lederhosen and dirndl attire to friends on social media. Ivanhoe Park makes it a family-friendly and dog-friendly event and Closson said they also have local vendors sell German/Oktoberfest-themed products.
If Christmas in July can be a thing, so can Oktoberfest in March.
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