Beau's Oktoberfest - Sept 30-Oct 2

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:49 pm

Tickets for Beau’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfest on Sale August 19

OTTAWA — (August 9, 2011) Earlybird tickets for the Vankleek Hill Oktoberfest, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company’s signature fundraising event, will go on sale Friday August 19 — with a special incentive to buy early. The first 1000 tickets sold will be accompanied by a free CD compilation of all the musicians who will be onstage at this year’s festival.

The 2011 edition of the Vankleek Hill Oktoberfest has expanded to three days of Bavarian celebration: Friday September 30, Saturday October 1, and Sunday October 2. The extra day will mean a larger and more diverse roster of craft beer, local food, independent musicians as well as activities for adults, children and families. In its third year, Beau’s All Natural’s popular fundraiser boasts a goal of $50,000 raised, slated this year to benefit the Canadian Red Cross, Good Food Revolution, the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society, and additional community-building not-for profits.

“I'm really excited about this year's fest,” beams brewery co-founder Steve Beauchesne. “We've been working on it all year and for such a young event it has really evolved into a unique, quality-focused extravaganza.”

Musical guests for this year’s Vankleek Hill Oktoberfest include local talents Jim Bryson and Cuff the Duke, as well as famed Toronto indie rockers Lowest of the Low. Colorado alt-country band Drag the River returns this year for an evening performance, and the festival will be graced by the presence of royalty: Canada’s Polka King, Walter Ostanek. As in previous years, traditional German oompah music and dancers will entertain through throughout the day.

Adult Oktoberfest revellers will be able to compete over the three days in fun challenges of strength and endurance, such as the “Stein-Hold Struggle,” a beer keg toss, and a spouse-carrying race. A sausage-eating contest and a sauerkraut cook-off will test those with stomachs of steel. And children and families will be welcomed into Kinderfest, a non-licensed area hosted by DooDoo the Clown. Family activities include a youth parade, giant castle-building area, face painting and malt sack races.

Bavarian and seasonally inspired food will be prominent and plentiful at this year’s event. There will be 20 Ottawa and Eastern Ontario-based restaurants serving up unique creations: sample selections such as Cheshire Cat Pub’s inimitable Reuben sandwich, or Elements of Merrickville's Beau's drunken sausages with caramelized onions on a pretzel bun.

And of course, there's the beer. The festival features seven different Beau’s brews flowing on tap, five of which have been created exclusively for this event alongside more than 30 one-off cask ales from craft breweries from Ontario and Quebec. Dieu Du Ciel from Quebec, Ottawa’s Clocktower, Barrie, ON’s Flying Monkeys, Toronto brewery Great Lakes, and Guelph’s Wellington Brewery are some of those that will be highlighted at Cask Days, hosted by Toronto's BarVolo. A Beer Speakers Series will feature World of Beer’s Stephen Beaumont as well as other notable beer experts from around the globe.

“We've got so much going on, it's almost impossible to describe how killer this is going to be,” concludes Beau’s All Natural’s Steve Beauchesne. “Last year we really nailed it — from the format to the programming to the food and beer. This year has been all about building from that model to make it even better.”

Earlybird tickets will go on sale online beginning Friday August 19 at www.beaus.ca/oktoberfest. The first 1000 tickets sold will include the limited-release compilation CD, featuring a track from each of the musicians playing this year. A single day pass for adults is $18, or one can save $9 on daily admission by purchasing a three-day pass for $45. Youth admission (18 or younger) is $5. Bus rides (roundtrip from Ottawa to Vankleek Hill and back) can be added for $12 per fare.

Ticket giveaways will take place weekly at the Beau’s Facebook page, or admission is free for “Volun-beers” who can also help out at the festival. More information is available at www.beaus.ca/oktoberfest, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaus-All ... 4410471113, or by calling the brewery at 1-866-585-BEER (2337). Oh yeah!

BEAU’S All Natural Brewing Company is a small, family-run company. BEAU’S brews interesting, tasty beers using the highest quality, all natural ingredients such as certified organic malts and local spring water. A member of the Ontario Craft Brewers, BEAU’S is a recipient of numerous international awards for brewing excellence, most recently winner of a GOLD medal at Mondial de la Biere in Strasbourg, France, a GOLD medal at the Canadian Brewing Awards as well as “Best Craft Brewery in Ontario” and “Best Craft Beer in Ontario” at the 2010, 2009, 2008 & 2007 Golden Tap Awards. BEAU’S remains active in the community and local events, and is available at LCBO locations throughout Eastern Ontario, Kingston, Toronto and the G.T.A. BEAU's entire line of beer is certified organic by Pro-Cert Organic.

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For more information, please contact: Lyndell Montgomery or Steve Beauchesne, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.
Toll-free at 866-585-BEER, (613) 678-2799 regular business hours (613) 676-2337 for deadlines/ beer-mergencies.

cmadd · Post by **cmadd** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:14 pm

Beau's makes me hate being a student in Toronto with no car.

Bytowner · Post by **Bytowner** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:13 pm

Might actually be able to make it out this year (apparently I was lucky I missed it the first year and was stuck in London last year). Looks like fun. What words of wisdom will you have for the assembled masses Cass?

Kel Varnsen · Post by **Kel Varnsen** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:21 pm

Bytowner wrote: (apparently I was lucky I missed it the first year

The first year was fun in its own weird way. Sure the beer lines were long and they ran out of food but even so everyone seemed to be in a good mood and having a good time regardless of that. Plus from my perspective it was extra memorable since I some how managed to luck out and get to ride in the hay wagon sitting next to George Wendt.

EricM · Post by **EricM** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:25 pm

Pretty jazzed about this, good brew, bands and food, sounds like a great weekend!

sprague11 · Post by **sprague11** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:56 pm

I'll be getting married, but next year...

velovampire · Post by **velovampire** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:36 pm

sprague11 wrote:I'll be getting married, but next year...

you'll be divorced.

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:38 pm

Holy Crap!!!

- Casks
-wife-tossing and keg carrying ( or something like that)
-A KRAUT-OFF!!!
- A Lowest of the Low Reunion
-AND...a castle building station for my kids!!!

Sign. Me. The. Fuck. Up.

nickelass · Post by **nickelass** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:55 am

It's going to be a good time!! Driving down from Timmins for this one.

cfrancis · Post by **cfrancis** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:32 am

Tickets on sale this morning.

Queef · Post by **Queef** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:54 pm

awesome. gonna be good

http://www.greatcanadianbeerblog.com/20 ... eries.html

nickelass · Post by **nickelass** » Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:17 pm

Was a little wet and cold, but that didn't stop Saturday from being a blast!! All the Beau's one offs for the event were great, with the exception of the German Porter as they ran out. Food was good and I found it to be less expensive than last year. It was also nice to meet some fellow Towelers. Can't wait for next year!

Inkling · Post by **Inkling** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 12:22 pm

Yes, it was too bad they ran out of the Wild Oat series beers pretty early. I never got around to trying Mr. Hyde and I only had a tiny sip of the Pumpkin Weiss that my wife had. I did get the Two Weeks Notice; they still had some at the Cask Days table long after they ran out at the other stations. I had been wanting to try Hopfenstark for many years, so that was a treat and lived up to expectations. Too many other great beers via the Cask Days table to mention.

This was my third year and they get better organized every year. The food was great as usual. If anyone is heading out there today, get the Flammkuchen (pizza)...I'm still thinking about it today. The Stroganoff and Domus' smoked fish chowder were also highlights along with Pascale's Ice Cream bars. Lots of sausages and schnitzel for those wanting more standard Oktoberfest fare.

Kel Varnsen · Post by **Kel Varnsen** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:35 am

Inkling wrote:Yes, it was too bad they ran out of the Wild Oat series beers pretty early. I never got around to trying Mr. Hyde and I only had a tiny sip of the Pumpkin Weiss that my wife had. I did get the Two Weeks Notice; they still had some at the Cask Days table long after they ran out at the other stations. I had been wanting to try Hopfenstark for many years, so that was a treat and lived up to expectations. Too many other great beers via the Cask Days table to mention.

This was my third year and they get better organized every year. The food was great as usual. If anyone is heading out there today, get the Flammkuchen (pizza)...I'm still thinking about it today. The Stroganoff and Domus' smoked fish chowder were also highlights along with Pascale's Ice Cream bars. Lots of sausages and schnitzel for those wanting more standard Oktoberfest fare.

I went on Friday for the first time. We had won a pair of friday tickets and since we had bought saturday tickets we sort of waited until the last minute and watched the weather, and since I had friday afternoon off, and it was going to be warmer, and we were bringing a baby we chose Friday. It was still pretty fun, even though they were still sort of setting things up. The beer was all really good, bought a jug of the German Porter. Skipped the banana beer since I have never really had a good experience with smoked beer, and skipped the pumpkin, since I hate all things pumpkin.

Friday was nice because it wasn't too crowded. For the first time ever in the 3 years I have gone I was able to park in the fairgrounds parking lot.

The food was awesome though. I had a bavarian burger from the Brockberry cafe. It was awesome a pork/beef mixed burger with onions grilled in lugtread and grainy mustard with a slice of Havarti cheeze, served on a pretzel bun.