Hast du etwas Steins fur mich?

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

When the air in metropolitan D.C. changes from an asphyxiating solid back to a breathable vapor, it’s time to dust off your dirndl, launder that lederhosen and fête the fall.

Yes, Gut Checkers, I am talking about the time of year devoted to German delights like beer, bratwurst and strudel: Oktoberfest.

No time to head to Munich? Thankfully getting your wienerschnitzel on in Northern Virginia is as easy as eins, zwei, drei.   As you can see from the list below we’ve got three recommendations to get you started satisfying your inner Heidi or Hansel for this season’s Wiesn.

Euro Bistro – Sept. 10-13

Kick off the Oktoberfesten happening throughout the region at Euro Bistro in Herndon (this way your Alpine dance moves will be in full effect by the time October actually rolls around).  Area favorites the Heidi and Heimat Echo band will perform oompah classics in all their embroidered suede finery, as well as polka veterans, The Continentals. If the Continentals’ motto “polka ‘til you puke” is any indication of the serious stein-swinging they’re likely to induce, the festivities will be one for the record books. A tri-fecta of traditional German beers such as Weihenstephaner, Hofbräu München and Paulaner will be on hand, and let’s not forget the requisite German festival fare: apple strudel, wienerschnitzel, the classic combo of bratwurst and sauerkraut, roast pork, German potato salad and pretzels.

Capital Ale House – Oct. 3

The festivities start in September at Capital Ale House locations in Richmond and Innsbrook, but the non-stop polka party that is Oktoberfest culminates October 3^rd in downtown Fredericksburg.

As the host of this giant blocktoberfest, Capital Ale House is providing each guest (appropriate drinking age please) with a complimentary 1-litre, regulation- size Oktoberfest Capital Ale House stein! (Paulaner or Hacker Pschorr beers will be on draft.)

Too young for a stein? The Kinder can enjoy family friendly activities like the balloon twister and performances by The Hirschjager German dancers as well as music by Die Dorf Musikanten & a redux of the Continentals .

Fill your gullet with more German favorites including giant pretzels with sweet mustard, bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerbraten and dumplings with ginger snap gravy, roast chicken, German potato salad, red cabbage and sauerkraut as well as regular menu offerings from the Capital Ale House restaurant. The frolicking starts at noon and ends at 10:00pm.

Rustico – Oct. 10

Beer is the name of the game at this haven for hopheads, so if you’re still feeling the need to belt out a few German drinking songs, round out the Oktoberfest gestalt at Rustico. Honor all things Alpine and autumnal with 20 Oktoberfest-specific beers, not to mention tasty morsels you won’t find scrawled on the dry-erase board at the neighborhood “schnellimbiss,” like last year’s pumpkin ravioli for example. The event is free and food and beer can be purchased separately. Food prices range from 4-8 tickets (each ticket is $1); beer prices range from 5-8 tickets. It’s not just Deutscher debauchery at this event either. Kinder of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy the atmosphere, live music (no less than six bands) and a raffle drawing for a Harley.  True to Rustico’s mission to serve as stewards of the community, all of the proceeds from this year’s raffle will go directly to the nonprofit, D.C. Central Kitchen.

–Amy Loeffler

Tags: Amy Loeffler, Capital Ale House, EuroBistro, Gut Check, Northern Virginia Magazine, Oktoberfest, Rustico