Oktoberfest isn’t happening this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that isn’t stopping Breckenridge’s restaurant community from keeping the Bavarian bravado alive. An alternative festival called oktober-FEAST is happening in restaurants across town on two weekends to give hungry guests multiple opportunities for a taste of Germany.
An homage to the regular event’s multicourse brewmaster dinner, which is traditionally one night at one rotating restaurant, oktober-FEAST allows patrons to dine almost anywhere they chose to experience unique menus. Breckenridge Tourism Office spokesperson Austyn Dineen said that while it is sort of a placeholder to the postponed Oktoberfest, she hopes it can be rolled into the larger festival in future iterations.
Participating businesses range from upscale restaurants, casual establishments and to-go offerings. Dineen said the tourism office wants to make it as accessible as possible for all budgets. Additionally, the different tiers mean people who aren’t comfortable with in-person dining can still sample the offerings.
Required reservations are limited to eight people per table where accepted, and facial coverings are mandatory when not eating or drinking. The public is also able to eat outside on Walkable Main from Sept. 25-27 during the final weekend of the pedestrian mall.
Diners can expect a $65 three-course meal from Hearthstone Restaurant that features kolsch-steamed mussels and Colorado lamb T-bone paired with German-style dark lager. Meanwhile, Soupz On will serve daily specials like Broken Compass Brewing cheese soup and Bavarian lentil with German sausage.
What: Oktober-FEAST
When: Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4
Where: Over 20 participating Breckenridge restaurants
For more: Visit GoBreck.com to view menus, make reservations and purchase steins
