9/23/2016 -- Mecktoberfest

The 8th Annual Mecktoberfest celebration at OMB is Charlotte's largest Oktoberfest.

After a long hot summer, it’s finally beer-drinking season again at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. It all kicks off with the release of OMB’s gold medal winning Mecktoberfest beer, followed by the 8th annual Mecktoberfest celebration a few weeks later.

Mecktoberfest, OMB’s fall “Über-seasonal” brew, will release Friday, August 26 at the Brewery. This Märzen-style lager was awarded a gold medal at the 2015 world championships of beer: The European Beer Star Competition in Nuremberg, Germany. It outlasted and out-tasted 1,957 other entries from 45 different countries for the top prize in its style. Time-honored brewing methods combined with world-class barley malt, noble Bavarian hops and a yeast strain from the oldest brewery in the world, give Mecktoberfest its outstanding flavor profile -- which is rich and malty upfront with a smooth, satisfying finish plus just a touch of all-natural malty sweetness.

In addition to Mecktoberfest, all of OMB’s year-round brews will be on tap through the Fest: Copper Altbier, Capt. Jack Pilsner, Hornet’s Nest Hefeweizen, Southside Weiss Wheat Ale and Fat Boy Baltic Porter. The Festival will last three days from Sept. 23-25 on the stunning 8.5-acre grounds of OMB in Charlotte’s Lower South End (LoSo). With seating outdoors for over 1,000, there’s plenty of room for friends, families and dogs.

The event is free of charge and runs from 11am-11pm, Friday-Sunday. A recurrent crowd favorite, the Holzhackern German Band, will bring the sounds of Bavaria to the festivities all 3 days -- and will share the stage with other local bands in the early and mid-afternoons. The Holzhackern Oktoberfest sound is high-energy with audience dancing and sing-along participation highly encouraged.

Food will include authentic German fare such as Pork Schnitzel, Currywurst, Spätzle, Knockwurst, and much more.

This fall, OMB’s Biergarten is getting several major new upgrades. A massive new timber-frame and ceramic tile roof over the patio will make the space more comfortable year-round and give it an old world feel. In addition, the outdoor Bier-Hut is getting a dedicated glass-washing room so Munich-style glass steins can be used throughout the Biergarten. Finally, OMB is installing a new custom food service kitchen in the ‘garten to provide faster service and more variety. Expect to see all these changes when you visit OMB for the Mecktoberfest celebration.