As the cooler temperatures of fall ascend on our city, it will soon be time to welcome back fall beers and of course, fall beer festivals. Â That’s right it’s time to drop the C in October and replace it with the K, and welcome back all of the area’s best Oktoberfests, starting with the one that actually takes place in September.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Companyâs annual Oktoberfest St. Louis returns for its 7th year on Friday, September 22nd, running through Sunday, September 24th, at its Midtown Brewery & Biergarten. The festival will span three full days and about two full city blocks.  Bier begins pouring and the fest grounds open on Friday at noon, but Oktoberfest St. Louis officially begins during a ceremonial keg-tapping @ 7 pm. Special guest keg-tapper to be announced.
But this year, UCBC is taking a page out from one of the largest Oktoberfests worldwide, The Munich Oktoberfest, in trying to make this year’s experience smoother and more fun for everyone.  This year, organizers are implementing a token-based payment system similar to whatâs used during Munichâs Oktoberfest. The purpose of using tokens is simpleâŚSave Time (and if interested, Save $$$ too). The token system simplifies the concept of âmonetary exchangeâ by eliminating: change, tipping, and interaction time, thereby reducing lines.
During the festival, all bier, food, and commemorative Oktoberfest steins will be purchased via the use of tokens, which are valued at $6 apiece. Tokens are purchased in advance of âexchangeâ and UCBC strongly encourages anyone who is planning to attend Oktoberfest St. Louis to purchase Fest Packages, which will save the purchaser both time and money! At a discounted price of $25, Fest Packs include five (5) tokens valued at $30 and may be purchased August 23rd through September 14th. All other tokens must be purchased, day-of-festival, via cash-only.
âEvery year we dial in the Oktoberfest formula a little more. We implemented our token system this year to shorten lines by decreasing the transaction time for bier & food. The one or two-token payment system keeps things simple, especially with gratuity already built in. Festival-goers should really look at getting a Fest Pack ahead of time, which will save those individuals money and reduce their time in line at the festival!â commented Urban Chestnut Events Manager, Ryan Rakel.
Win VIP Fest Packs via Social Media
Festivalgoers can also compete in a Twitter contest this year to win special VIP Fest Packages by tweeting the official Oktoberfest St. Louis hashtag â#OktoberfestSTLâ along with âwhat theyâre looking forward to most about this yearâs festâ.
The VIP Fest Packages include a commemorative Oktoberfest stein, five beer & food tokens, and a case of O-Katz 16 oz cans. Contest tweets must be published between August 23rd and September 11th and contestants must be following Urban Chestnut on Twitter to qualify. One entry per person per day. For more details see: urbanchestnut.com/oktoberfeststl.
What we’ll drink
UCBCâs OktoberFestbier/Märzen (Oachkatzlschwoaf), Bavarian Lager (Zwickel), and Bavarian Weissbier (Schnickelfritz) will be available in half-liter & liter pours at the fest.
What we’ll eat
Oktoberfest St. Louis will also feature the standard fare found at Munichâs Oktoberfest celebration, i.e. pretzels, brats, currywurst, roasted chicken, and frikadellen.
How we’ll play
Popular Oktoberfest competitions like Masskrugstemmen (stein-holding contests) and Fingerhackeln (finger wrestling) will make a return.
What we’ll dance too
Oktoberfest will feature a great line-up of polka & oompah-thumping music from the Bolzen Beer Band, Die Spitzbaum, Dave Hyllaâs Good Times Band, The Deutschmeister Brass Band, St. Louis Express, Larry Hallar, Uber Cool, and many more local, popular acts.
Festival-goers can also compete in a Twitter contest this year to win special VIP Fest Packages by tweeting the official Oktoberfest St. Louis hashtag â#OktoberfestSTLâ along with âwhat theyâre looking forward to most about this yearâs festâ. The VIP Fest Packages include a commemorative Oktoberfest stein, five beer & food tokens, and a case of O-Katz 16 oz cans. Contest tweets must be published between August 23rd and September 11th and contestants must be following Urban Chestnut on Twitter to qualify. One entry per person per day. For more details see: urbanchestnut.com/oktoberfeststl.
Event Overview:
Location:Â Urban Chestnut Midtown Brewery & Biergarten @ 3229 Washington Ave, St. Louis
Dates:
Friday, September 22nd from 12 p.m. – 11p.m.
Saturday, September 23rd from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 24th from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cost:
Entry is free at Oktoberfest St. Louis.
Festival-goers may purchase Fest Packs, which include five (5) tokens valued at $30 @ a discounted purchase price of $25, from August 23rd through September 14th at the Midtown Brewery & Biergarten, the Grove Brewery & Bierhall, and online at urbanchestnut.com/merch. Tokens may be purchased individually at the festival for $6 (CASH ONLY).
Tokens include gratuity, so there are no âextra costsâ once theyâve been purchased.
All food and beer at the festival must be purchased using Oktoberfest tokens.
Special Note:
Sunday is traditionally considered âfamily dayâ at Oktoberfest St. Louis and will feature a kidsâ tent with Lebkuchen (cookie) decorating, music, coloring, and more.
