It’s time for beer, bratwurst, lederhosen, polka dances and more beer. Oktoberfest is here and there are plenty of ways to celebrate this traditional German festival in Anchorage.
Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse, 610 W. Sixth Ave., hosts Oktoberfest parties from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 14. They’ll serve lots of German-style food paired with great beers. Music by Alaska Baskapelle. $65 per person. Call 276-BEER (2337) for reservations.
Oktoberfest at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is two full weekends of live music, souvenir steins and merrymaking. Get your polka on with live music by the Alaska Polka Chips, Chalon and Polka Dan. In a break from tradition, local bands Rebel Blues and Nervis Rex will perform during the second weekend. The menu includes sauerbraten short ribs, pork schnitzel and grilled bratwurst or bockwurst. 1 p.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays, Sept. 28-29 and Oct. 5-6, and 1-7 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. Admission is free from 1-7 p.m. and $5 from 7 p.m.-midnight. Food and beer are extra. Get tickets online, alyeskaresort.com.
The German Club of Anchorage presents the 46th Annual Oktoberfest, 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 5-6, at the Egan Convention Center. Live music each night with Marge Ford and the Polka Chips, Chalon, the Alaska Blaskapelle, Bankerlplattler and the Alpine Bell Ringers. German-style food. Dirndl and lederhosen welcome. Tickets are $25, available at the Flying Dutchman, Anderson’s Bride, Alaska Sausage and the Egan Center. Tickets also available at the door.
Take a scenic journey Saturday, Oct. 6, along Turnagain Arm with a great designated driver, the Alaska Railroad. The Microbrew Express travels 80 miles roundtrip from Anchorage to Portage. Taste an assortment of local microbrews while feasting your eyes on the scenery of Turnagain Arm. The train leaves Anchorage at 4 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. $159 includes the ride, appetizers, six half pints of BrewHouse beer with additional beers available for purchase. Book the trip online at alaskarailroad.com. Click on the "Specials" link.
The Alaska Aviation Museum hosts an Oktoberfest party at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 4721 Aircraft Drive. Enjoy beer and wine, brats, potato salad and munchies. Dance to the music of Marge Ford and the Polka Chips. A silent auction is planned to help fund the Living Legends Aviation History Project. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call 248-5325.
