Braxton Introduces Festzelt To Covington’s Oktoberfest

Written By: The Gnarly Gnome
Photography: Provided

9/5/24

Note: This isn’t technically a sponsored post, but Braxton gifted me a couple of tickets for coverage of the event – so you’ll see plenty of photos coming up while I’m feasting.

Covington’s Oktoberfest is quickly approaching, and if you’re anything like me at this time of year, you’re probably giddy with excitement about it. It’s already a great piece of Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest season, and with a new addition this year, it only gets better.

A Quick Rundown Of Covington’s Oktoberfest

Covington’s Oktoberfest has been taking over Mainstrausse and Goebel Park since 1979, but you might not remember that it almost disappeared in 2019. 2018 was a rough year with terrible rain canceling the event and putting the association that was throwing it more than $100,000 in debt afterward.

If it hadn’t been for Braxton Brewing Company stepping in to throw the event, it very well might have just gone away.

The brewery certainly knows how to throw a great party, too. They use Oktoberfest as an excuse to bring together German Heritage, Art, Fun Competitions, Local Music, Local Food, and amazing beer. It’s already the recipe for an incredible Oktoberfest – and this year, they’ve kicked it up a notch with a new addition that I’m pretty excited about.

Meet Festzelt

Two of the biggest components of a great Oktoberfest are amazing food and even more amazing beer. Braxton hopes to bring both of these together into a sit-down dinner that you’re going to want to make sure you attend.

Festzelt is a nod to the largest tent in the Historic Weisen section of Munich’s Oktoberfest. This tent is super traditional – with brass music, dancing, and, of course – a bunch of great food.

Braxton’s Festzelt might not have whip crackers snapping their whips to the music like they do in Munich – but the food would certainly make anyone at the German festival turn their heads.

The Menu

When you arrive at your seating (there are four different options), you’re first going to notice that everyone is gathering around communal tables together, like a traditional Oktoberfest celebration – score… 1.

Before you even have time to think about it, you’ll start off with a liter of beer (or cocktails, wine and seltzer are available) and a great charcuterie board featuring meats and cheeses to stir the appetite up. Score? At least 4.

From there, you can only continue this Oktoberfest meal with some warm pretzels and Oktober Fuel beer cheese, right? I should stop keeping score.

At this point… I’m sure you’ll need a second liter of beer to keep washing the food down… because we’re not done yet.

For your main course, you can choose between traditional half-bavarian chicken or a tender pork shank, and the side dishes will be served family-style (green beans, scalloped potatoes, and sauerkraut).

The meal wraps up with a strudel… and then, with your belly full, you can head out for the rest of the evening to the rest of the celebration around Goebel Park.

Tickets for the event are $85, and because the seating is family-style, you can show up solo or with a small group of friends and not feel out of place either way.

Why This Is So Perfect

Braxton really gets it. The festivities in their taproom around their awesome ‘Oktober Fuel’ release are already evidence of that. This addition to Covington’s Oktoberfest adds a new aspect that not only gives you a chance to have a great, full meal, but sounds like it will do it in a way that oozes tradition along the journey. This is what catches my attention.

I love Oktoberfest beer (obviously), but the celebration itself of the festivities is what really captures my attention. I love celebrating Oktoberfest. Maybe even more so when you’re doing it alongside a place like Braxton that really gets it.

I love people who respect the history of their family, culture, their city—all of it. It warms the soul… and it’s a big part of the season that resonates with me.

When I tell you to go, go NOW and get your tickets, I mean it. Don’t miss out on this one.