While Addison, Texas may be a 10-hour flight from Germany, you can find a true taste of Bavaria at the town’s Addison Oktoberfest (September 14-17) most authentic Oktoberfest experience in North America. Insiders for the event, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, know that you don’t have to don a dirndl to enjoy a traditional Oktoberfest celebration. In fact, they share four key tips that every Addison Oktoberfest visitor should know.
Addison Oktoberfest coincides with the opening of the 16-day festival in Munich, Germany. The original celebration began on October 10, 1810 to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxon-Hildeburghausen. In 1880, the festival was scheduled to start in September so the festival could enjoy more pleasant weather.
Every year, Addison Oktoberfest creates a beautiful glass stein to commemorate the event. While you can have your cold Paulaner in a plastic cup, to enjoy Oktoberfest like a local, buy a commemorative stein and have it refilled. Some guests bring back a favorite stein year to year, too. The steins often sell out, so make sure and get yours early. You can even order them in advance as a part of a package. Vendors will not fill up “das boot.” Only 1 liter and 1/2 liter steins will be accepted for refills.
Just like in Munich, the Mayor celebrates the official opening of Oktoberfest by tapping a ceremonial keg of Paulaner. Addison’s Mayor Joe Chow uses a wooden mallet to hammer a brass tap into a beautiful wooden keg. He has only three strikes of the mallet to tap the keg and shout “O’zapft is,” which is Bavarian dialect for “It’s tapped.” The official keg tapping at Addison Oktoberfest occurs on Thursday evening at 8 pm in the Schloss Addison tent.
While there may be bier served with those brats, Addison Oktoberfest offers great fun for the whole family. There is special children’s entertainment on the Bowl Stage, including the Napper Sisters. Plus, kids of all ages will love the amazing carnival. On Sunday only, in addition to the famed Dachshund Parade, wiener dogs from across North Texas can race in the Dachshund Races for fun and prizes! Also, watch dogs complete the DAWG agility course including the 80’ pretzel tunnel.
For guests who visit Munich’s famed Oktoberfest, the ticket to have is in the VIP balconies of the 14 bier tents at the festival. You will find food vendors located through out the festival serving authentic German food and other delicious treats. At Addison Oktoberfest, the most authentic Oktoberfest celebration in North America, the massive 30,000 square foot Schloss Addison tent has a similar opportunity. Noted chef and restauranteur Richard Chamberlain will host Chamberlain’s Brau Haus, a full-service restaurant overlooking the Addison Oktoberfest dance floor.
Guests at Chamberlain’s Brau Haus will enjoy a three course meal, with each course paired with a Paulaner bier.
Starters
- Locally-made Pretzel with Reisling Honey Mustard Sauce
- House Made Bavarian Ham, Leek, Potato and Vegetable Soup
Entrées (Diners will receive both)
- Paulaner Hefeweizen Beer Braised Pork with Horseradish Mustard and Roasted Onion Potatoes
- Bratwurst, Grobe and Weisswurst Sausages and Local Kobe Bacon-Braised Red Cabbage
Dessert
- Warm Bavarian Cherry Strudel with Port Wine Cherry Compote
Seating at Chamberlain’s Brau Haus is only $55 per person, and includes the three course meal paired with Paulaner biers, general adult admission, a one-liter commemorative stein and a $25 promotional gift card to either Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House or Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill. Seatings are limited and are available the following times:
- Thursday, September 14 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, September 15 – 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 16 – 5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Reservations for Chamberlain’s Brau Haus may be made by visiting Chamberlain’s website.
We are offering two prize packages today that include two General Admission tickets plus two commemorative steins. Two lucky readers will win these prizes by making a comment below. Winner will be chosen at random August 31 and winners will be notified by email.
Can’t wait! It’s always fun!
Bottoms up to Oktoberfest! Can hardly wait to get my polka on!
My boyfriend and I met through mutual friends seven years ago at Oktoberfest, so now, it’s a yearly tradition to go back, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate our bond over good times and good beer! 🙂 This year, my sister and brother-in-law will be in town, and we look forward to bringing them to Oktoberfest!
Can’t wait. Two tickets would be perfect!
I have never been to an Oktoberfest so this would be a treat!
These pics look like a ton of fun, enter me into the contest.
Yes yes yes yes
I am going for the first time this year, free tickets would be great. A I love Crave!!
Sign me up buttercup!
Wow! This is one of the many reasons I love Cravedfw.
Giddy Up!
Love crave!
Craving Beer!
Would love to have this. Prost!
This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try all the bier.
Get down!
Please sign me up, too. I will go regardless but free entry would be fun, plus the steins.
Hi crave! If I win can Steven D join me?
Hi! We want those tickets and will do whatever it takes to win them.
I worked with Chamberlians last year at Oktoberfest. I can say they did a great job and deserve a hand for cooking in the heat and able to put out such wonderful food! I love Addison Oktoberfest!
I won’t be able to make it but my daughter would go.
It would be an honor to win something on Crave
I have a lovely dress for this very type of event that I would wear. Bought it in Germany a few years ago.
I will gladly take the prize if I do not win the lottery.
I would love to win!
Sounds like fun!
Woohoo, yes!
How does one go about winning a Crave contest? I have a friend that reads this foodie site religiously and she won a grill last year.
Carolina Owens
Where do I sign up! I am making reservations for the Chamberlain’s dinner, it sounds so good.
Yes please! I would definitely go to this. Are those women at the top guaranteed to be there?
I’ve never been and would love to go!
I want to go
Those sausages look delicious.
Yabba Dabba me grabba these tix
These pictures make me want to go, count me in.
Count me in this contest.
I want to win anything.
You had me at German Beer!
Our winners have been chosen and notified! Thank you all for playing and see you at the Oktoberfest
Reblogged this on Bolton Brewer.
Looking for a lederhosen! Hope we win!
I’d love to win this. Always a blast.