Breckenridge, CO – Breckenridge Oktoberfest, set for Sept. 14-16, 2012, will this year expand to offer an extra day of its street party. Also new for 2012, Sevens Restaurant will host the Brewmaster’s Dinner and guests will arrive at the mountainside location via the Colorado ski and snowboard resort’s BreckConnect gondola.
Breckenridge’s Oktoberfest has traditionally lasted for three days with a dinner on Friday and street party on Saturday and Sunday. Demand for additional Friday activities is growing, officials say, in explaining the extension of the festivities.
“We see a lot of people arriving for the weekend on Friday afternoon and looking for something to do,” said Breckenridge Resort Chamber events director Sandy Metzger. “Since Brewmaster’s tickets aren’t usually available the day of the event, we wanted to offer another option.”
Friday’s street party will run from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 with an after-party at Salt Creek Steakhouse. The Paulaner Brewmaster’s Dinner, also set for Friday, will feature a multi-course German meal that includes beer or wine paired with each course, plus a scenic gondola ride to and from the event. Tickets cost $85 per person ($160 per couple) and are available online or by emailing events@gobreck.com; the dinner typically sells out in advance.
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16, the street party continues with traditional costumes, German food, oompah and polka music, Bavarian dancers, children’s activities, a keg-tapping ceremony, 5k run and plenty of Paulaner beer served in commemorative steins manufactured in and shipped from Munich, Germany. In addition to three different Paulaner beers, the Breckenridge Brewery will serve seasonal microbrews, Paulaner and Toasted Head will pour a selection of wines, and new for 2012, gluten-free beer will be available. VIP packages include steins, beer tickets, hors d’ oeuvres and a private, shaded seating area with additional beer and wine pours.
Visit BreckenridgeOktoberfest.com for more information and a complete schedule of events.