Oktoberfest might carry October in its name, but the fun has always started in September. Back in 1810, Munich’s very first festival quickly proved that late-summer sunshine was far better suited to beer gardens and brass bands than October’s chill. That tradition lives on today, and here throughout the Shoalhaven region it means steins in the spring sunshine, bratwursts on the grill, and oompah tunes drifting through our coastal air. Gather friends and foe it’s Oktoberfest, Jervis Bay and beyond!
Sandbar Restaurant Huskisson
On 19/20 September, Sandbar has you sorted with a couple of evenings to experience authentic Bavarian German food along with great music and steins of beer. If it’s anything like last year’s turnout, it will be a big hit with patrons.
Executive Chef Jason Wilkinson shares: “Stretching back more years than I want to admit, I got to enjoy the Canberra Oktoberfest festival and since then I’ve taken every opportunity possible to recreate the beer hall festival feel – or as close as I can given my resources.
“Being able to bring Oktoberfest to life at Sandbar is a little bit more special, given [owner] John and Nemy’s ties to Germany and their first-hand experiences provide a whole new level of authenticity and fun to our events, whether it’s Nemy’s input into the classic dishes or John’s passion for ensuring our little restaurant feels like a festive beer hall for the celebration.”
The food, says Jason, is central to the experience. “From Tyler’s hand-made giant bretzels, to my well-practised pork knuckles soaked with Bavarian beer and onions! For the schnitzel lover we have the jaeger schnitzel, or the classic bratwurst for the sausage connoisseur.”
And if that’s not enough, the dessert will be flowing with a classic apple strudel or Black Forest cake.
Wash it all down with the star of the show, steins of Paulaner Weissbier.
Tickets are $60 pp for Friday or Saturday night, with a live accordion player on Friday night from 6pm.
If you miss the main events, Sandbar will have an array of Bavarian treats and yes, more steins of beer available all week from Thursday 18 till Monday 22 September.
Jervis Bay Brewing Co, Huskisson
For Oktoberfest, the team at Jervis Bay Brewing Co are pouring three German-style beers, Schwarzbier and Helles-Bock brewed in-house, plus a Weissbier, alongside Bratwurst sangas with an Aussie twist.
Venue manager Craig Boyce shares: “We hope some patrons rock up dressed in Lederhosen outfits, alongside some of our staff, to mark this occasion as the brewery embraces German tradition with food, beer, and plenty of community spirit.”
We recently met up with Craig, who is brand-new to the job, and wanted to share a little about him with our readers. Originally from Wicklow, Ireland, affectionately known as “The Garden County” ,Craig has made Australia home for the past 13 years, bringing a rich background in hospitality with him.
From starting out in a nightclub cloakroom to managing venues “and even jumping in as a DJ when needed”, Craig says it’s the people and the connections that make this industry so special. Since joining Jervis Bay Brewing Co, he’s been impressed by the sense of community that emanates from the beer garden all the way around the region, from supporting local sports to getting behind charitable causes, and he’s excited to be part of it all.
Oktoberfest runs at Jervis Bay Brewing from 20 September to 5 October with live music bringing the festival to life, including Bobbie Martin from 3pm on Sunday 21 September preceded by a “session” open to any musician from midday, Ben Fowler on 28 September and Ness Quinn closing out the celebrations on 5 October. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a stein, enjoy some Bavarian flavours and soak up the springtime vibes along the coast.
Swordfish Brewing, Sussex Inlet
Swordfish Brewing is transforming into a slice of Bavaria this Oktoberfest, serving up a weekend overflowing with flavour, music and family fun along the Sussex Inlet waterway.
The soundtrack is set on 18 October with Sydney’s own Oompah Loompah Band, bringing their lively mix of traditional German tunes and cheeky pop favourites guaranteed to get you clapping along.
On the menu, it’s all about hearty German fare. Sausages hot off the grill, golden pretzels with just the right chew, and crisp-skinned roast pork. all the best comfort food to be enjoyed with a cold stein in hand.
The bar will be flowing with classic German brews, each pour raising a toast to Oktoberfest tradition.
Families are welcome, kiddies can jump on carousel rides and dive into games while parents relax into the festivities.
Gather your crew, bring the appetite and join Swordfish Brewing for a celebration where the food is plentiful, the beer is flowing, and the atmosphere is nothing short of joyous. Prost!
Farmgate Restaurant, Nowra
From 1pm on Saturday 4 October, Farmgate Restaurant in Nowra is celebrating Oktoberfest in style with a Bavarian three-course banquet for $75.
The feast begins with tasty golden lángos, crispy fried dough topped with garlic butter and sour cream before moving on to generous platters of pork belly, kassler chops – a German delicacy made from cured and lightly smoked pork – German sausages, schnitzel and crumbed mushrooms.
Sides of potato salad, sauerkraut, Bavarian mustard, pickles and rich gravy bring all these traditional dishes together. To finish there’s a timeless favourite, warm apple strudel with ice cream.
German beers will be flowing on tap and available by the bottle, alongside a selection of German wines from the bar. Diners arriving in costume will enjoy 50% off their first drink.
It’s the perfect chance to gather friends, enjoy the spring day and make the most of an Oktoberfest feast to remember.
Willinga Park, Bawley Point
Oktoberfest arrives at Willinga Park’s Bunker Café courtyard, which is hosting two exceptional nights of beer, food and music with free entry for all ages.
Friday 19 September 6 -9pm
Willinga Park opens in full swing beneath the night sky with Howlin’ Mitch, frontman of Howlin’ Mitch and the Habaneros. With soulful vocals, driving guitar and foot drums, his one-man blues band is the perfect way to set the Oktoberfest weekend ahead.
Saturday 20 September, 6 -9pm
On Saturday, the music keeps rolling with Dan Sipple and Tall Shaun, also known by the locals as “the big fella”, who will be jamming their easy, blues-infused sounds and closing out the celebrations with plenty of good vibes.
It wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the food. The Bunker Café kitchen will be delivering a hearty line-up of Bavarian classics: golden schnitzel, bratwurst and kransky rolls, crispy delicious pork knuckle bowls, and Bavarian-style pretzels. For groups, the Oktoberfest Platter Bowl is just the thing to share around a table with friends and a cold stein in hand washing down all that Bavarian goodness
There will be even more choices from local food trucks serving up Japanese favourites from Jervis Bay’s Blue Nami, smoky slow-cooked bites from Phantom BBQ, and sweet scoops from Clyde River Berry Ice Cream.
There will be plenty of beer at the outdoor bar, where Capital Brewing’s German-style lager will be flowing. You can even take home a branded Willinga Park stein to remember the night.
Horse event lovers like myself should arrive early as Willinga Park hosts four days of world-class show jumping in conjunction with their Oktoberfest. Head to their website for times and event details.
Embrace the Spirit of Oktoberfest
Here’s a few Oktoberfest sayings to help set the scene.
“Eins, Zwei, Trinken!” One, two, drink! Before long, you’ll likely be calling out ,“Noch ein Bier, bitte”, another beer, please!
“Das geht auf mich.” Oktoberfest is as much about community as it is about beer, so keep your ears open for the offer, “this one’s on me”.
“Prost!” Most importantly, a cheers to new friends, good food and plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations across the Shoalhaven.
