The Oktoberfest at the Alpine Village is an event that has made a name for itself in Southern California over the course of its 45 year run and with good reason; It’s a lot of fucking fun. I personally went for the first time this year and to be honest I was initially a bit apprehensive of all the hype but about an hour into the event I was sold. The atmosphere was perfect and everybody was merrily eating, drinking, and dancing the night away. Some perhaps a bit too much but luckily I didn’t see a single soul passed out or throwing punches the entire night which was pleasant as a bit too much booze can go very wrong very fast.
Throughout the night we were entertained with various performances from the ABC band, a plethora of drinking contests (one of which yours truly competed in), and plenty of character from Fest Master Hans & special guest Heino(not the real Heino but a very hilarious impersonator)! The food and booze prices weren’t too bad; a beer was only $6 and $12 if you were trying to fill up a ceramic souvenir stein which could be purchased on location. I personally didn’t spring any money on food as I ate beforehand and munched on the complimentary rold gold pretzels provided but I had several friends who did and on average you were spending about 10 bucks or so to fill your hunger which isn’t too bad if you ask me.
As I mentioned before there were drinking contests, one of which was the Das Boot drinking relay that you may have seen in the cult classic, Beer Fest. Well one of my incentives for even going to Oktoberfest in the first place was to compete in the relay. Luckily enough my team, comprised of myself and members my beer pong league, were chosen to participate. Our matching Team USA jumpsuits sealed the deal. I mean who can say no to a team of beer drinkers in matching velour jumpsuits? No one, that’s who! Naturally we won and were awarded a complimentary stein which is always nice to have.
The other contest was a stein holding contest to see who could hold a full beer stein with their arm fully extended the longest. There was a ladies and a men’s contest which was nice to see. I didn’t participate in this one but after witnessing it I feel like I must compete in this contest next year. Then of course Fest Master Hans and Heino, alongside the ABC band, kept the crowd going when contests weren’t going on. Both of whom were great hosts for the event, the latter of whom in my opinion is THE heart of the event. The man can kept a crowd excited like no other.
I’m not sure of the actual capacity of the venue but I do know it was huge and there was a shitload of people in attendance however shitload isn’t exactly a quantifiable variable. So just know that the place can hold a lot of people but you should show up early if you don’t buy presale tickets as the event sells out every night. Tickets are only 20 dollars which is a great deal to be honest so I would recommend buying presale to be honest. Overall the event is amazing and is a MUST for anyone wishing to participate in an Oktoberfest. You won’t be disappointed!
Oktoberfest at the Alpine Village takes place every Friday through Sunday from mid September until the last weekend in October. Check the official website for actual event dates as they vary from year to year.