‘Prost up’ at these Fall Vegas beer celebrations

Las Vegas has a long history of adopting international celebrations, from St. Patrick’s Day to Chinese New Year, and doing them proud in the heart of the Nevada desert. The annual German Oktoberfest - the world’s largest Volksfest (part beer festival, part traveling fun fair), held in Munich- is no exception, with Sin City-style beer-related festivities all over town.

Like the original Oktoberfest, the celebration at the ultra-authentic Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas beer hall actually starts in September. But unlike its Munich cousin, Hofbrauhaus’ Oktoberfest runs not the traditional 16 to 18 days, but a truly Vegas-sized six weeks (Sept. 15 to Oct. 31). Thishigh-spirited mega-party features a wide variety of brews (including Hofbrauhaus’ celebrated Oktoberfestbier), plus Bavarian-stylefood, games, entertainment and the tavern’s signature spankings, administered by waitstaff in traditionalattire, which were “enjoyed” by 4,500 guests last year.

Built in Munich in 1607, the original Hofbrauhaus is still going strong.The Vegas version, opened just off the Strip on Paradise Road in 2004, is unique in that it follows the plans of the original German tavern. Frankly,everyday is like Oktoberfest at this expansive pub, but the fun really ramps up for the actual festival, with overflowing steins, rousing music and hearty dancing. Apfelschnaps (apple schnapps), Paniertes Jägerschnitzel (breaded schnitzel, “hunter style”) and pork shanks are served inanappropriately Old World setting.

Celebrity keg tapping son Fridays and Saturdays during Hofbrauhaus’ Oktoberfest have previously starred Siegfried & Roy(arguably Las Vegas’ best-known German-Americans), Anthony Cools and Planet Hollywood’s Crazy Girls. The beer served is brewed according to a 500-year-oldBavarian purity law that requires the ingredients to be nothing but malt, hops and water, so the beer will taste much as it did during the first Munich Oktoberfestin1810.

For a smaller authentic experience, the German-American Social Club of Nevada throws an enthusiastic Oktoberfest each year(in fact they had two such celebrations in 2016, in both North Las Vegas and downtown). These free-admission fests feature craft beers, traditional fare such as pretzels, potato pancakes, strudel, bratsand sauerkraut, plus Germanic music.

If your palate leans toward this country’s current craft beer craze, Vegas has you covered. On Oct. 21st,the 6th Annual Downtown Brew Festival gathers more than 200 craft brews from over 60 breweries, and much more besides, into the Clark County Amphitheater. Produced by beer-fest specialists Motley Brews, this sized-just-right evening celebration (5 to 9p.m.) of the art of beer-making also boasts an eclectic array of local culinary artists, on “Festaurant Row”,and diverse live music performed in a relaxing grass amphitheatre. Last year, as well as 16 local craft breweries, Downtown Brew Festival boasted more than 50 “guest” beer makers,including California’s

Lagunitas Brewing Company, Coachella Valley Brewing Company and Stone Brewing Co.Vendor sat the fest are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and beautifully generous with their sample pours!

Famously well-organized, Downtown Beer Festival has earned are putation for manageable lines, polite staff and all-important clean bathrooms. Bring a blanket and stretch out under stars with a fine brew (or two), delicious food and friends old and new.General admission tickets are $35, while true hop-heads can opt for 4 p.m. early entry ($45) or VIP ($75) admission.

Elsewhere, anything-goes “Vegas rules” mean that bars and restaurants of all ilks will be marking Oktoberfest with German-inspired menus and snacks, plus the likes of stein-hoisting contests, themed tap take overs and even those beer-fest-requisite pretzel necklaces. Take your pick, and cheers!

-Paul Rogers, Custom Publishing Writer