Old Heidelberg Restaurant Can’t Wait To Celebrate Oktoberfest

By John Voket

“There is nothing like listening to German music on a cool pre-fall evening with a warn, fresh baked pretzel on one hand and a stein of your favorite German beer in the other,” proclaimed Alex Tucker, owner and permittee of the Old Heidelberg German Restaurant.

The Stony Hill area of Bethel will come alive with the sounds, smells. and tastes of Germany beginning the weekend of September 14, and continuing through September 30, as the Old Heidelberg commemorates a very special 200th Anniversary of Oktoberfest.

The origins of the annual festival celebrating the food, beverages, music, and culture of Germany and Austria are rooted in the wedding celebration of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen — a celebration that has continued annually wherever the Oktoberfest banner is hung.

But Mr Tucker, along with longtime Old Heidelberg manager Hilda Hoffman and Chef Uwe Moeller are taking their daily offerings of tasty German and Austrian favorites to new heights this September with an outdoor beer garden, live German and American music, a buffet of select menu items, as well as foods prepared specifically for their once-a-year activity.

There will also be plenty of space for the children to play, and bouncy castle to keep the little ones occupied while the adults enjoy themselves, Mr Tucker told The Newtown Bee. The Old Heidelberg Oktoberfest opens September 14, and continues the 15, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30.

Some of the patrons will travel great distances to sample one of the special brews that will be available while supply holds out, Mr Tucker said.

“We’ll have Spaten Oktoberfest, which is only brewed for the occasion,” he said. “And at 6 pm on September 14, we’ll be holding a ceremonial tapping of the 200th Anniversary edition of Hochzeitsbier in its traditional wooden cask.”

According to sources, the formula for this special brew is based on the same beverage that was consumed at that royal Austrian wedding 200 years ago. The restaurant will also feature a rare, unfiltered Arcobrau lager, and there will be brewery and microbrew representatives on hand during most of the festivities to talk beer and dispense advice for beer lovers and home brewers.

Ms Hoffman said the food for Oktoberfest will be a treat, whether a patron is a regular or a first-timer.

“We’ll be serving Kassler Ripchen — a smoked pork chop, pork shanks, Bratwurstplatte, and a Bavarian roasted chicken recipe that is only made for Oktoberfest,” she explained. “We’ll have homemade potato salad, sauerkraut, cucumber salad and red cabbage, a wonderful selection of desserts, and even a candy store for the children.”

And don’t forget to leave room for the specialty of the house, a fresh baked pretzel, Mr Tucker added.

Patrons will be able to choose from all the food and drink offerings ala cart, and pay for them with $5 tickets purchased by the roll or handful.

Friday activities commence at 5 pm, while Saturday and Sunday Oktoberfest festivities begin at noon. Among the bands featured this year at Oktoberfest are Werner Goebel, Scha-Musi, Bud Gramer, Quadrasaurus, the Austrian Boys, and the Ultra Kings.

And the festivities don’t end when Oktoberfest draws to a close, the restaurant is planning a Winefest October 19–22, Emtedankfest — a German Thanksgiving — November 16–18, and the annual Adventfest, December 14–16.

The Old Heidelberg also hosts a weekly buffet on Tuesdays if you like to sample a wide variety of the restaurant’s fare. For more information call the Old Heidelberg at 203-797-1860 or visit RestaurantHeidelberg.com.