Prost’ from Heather Endicott, bartender and graphic designer at the Brewstation. PHOTOS PROVIDED/THE BREWSTATION
COTTAGE GROVE – Oktoberfest for the Brewstation is the equivalent of Christmas.
Owner Dale Smith said the venue transforms with blue and white flags and fall-adjacent products like squash and pumpkin – ”things that reflect that celebration of a summer of hard work and anticipation of the cold months.”
The Brewstation is holding its fifth annual Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28. There will be custom-made German sausage with traditional sides such as sauerkraut, as well as savory tarts and pies. It also wouldn’t be an Oktoberfest celebration without beer, and the Brewstation has worked to supply German beers from Paulaner and Ayinger, as well as seasonal beers from Ninkasi and Breakside Brewing.
Heather Endicott, bartender and graphic designer, said that the Brewstation will be highlighting some of the same beers that it has for imports year-round, so if someone likes it on tap they can buy some bottles to take home or could continue to enjoy the beer even after Oktoberfest.
”We’ve talked to a Paulaner representative and we’re hopefully going to have a ceremonial keg that you open with a mallet,” she said.
She added that for non-drinkers, cider, kombucha and CBD soda will also be available.
The first year that the Brewstation started the event, fermentation expert and brewer Stephen Mathys said that it was a big ”what if?” The Brewstation had connections to foreign beer companies through Bigfoot Beverages, and they thought they had the ability to throw the event.
”Turns out, there’s no shortage of people stationed in Germany,” he said.
The year after, the Brewstation added the sausages, which Mathys made as well. At this point, he said they would outsource that to a local farm, because they go through hundreds of sausages and it would take days to make.
”People really, really like it. People like anything that’s a cultural beer fest,” he said. ”I look forward to our crowd’s reaction.”
The Oktoberfest is also in conjunction with ”Octogafest,” which is done through the Chamber of Commerce. Smith said that people wearing togas will get a special for the evening, as a nod to the local ties to the cult classic movie ”Animal House.”
There will also be live music and swag at the event. Windy Ridge is playing Friday and Foxy Blues from California will play Saturday. Smith added that she’s still looking to find an oompa band to play one day.
Swag will be available from the German breweries, as well as from Coast Fork Brewery; Smith added that there will be a mug and beer special there.
”We have grown so tremendously, especially the relationships Stephen has made with sales representatives,” she said. ”They know what we want and they cater those requisitions. If they only have two kegs of something, they’ll make sure we get one of them.”
Smith added that she is ”so blessed” to have Mathys, Endicott and co-owner Emily Rinck be part of the event.
”Everything we’ve grown towards, (Mathys) and Emily have been thought partners behind the growth of Oktoberfest,” she said. ”Come have our wonderful food, amazing beer and meet the team behind it.”
