The fifth annual Sam Adams Octoberfest in Miami will be held at Soho Studios in Wynwood on September 19 and 20. It has been taken over by Tony Albelo of Social House Events and Javi Zayas of Zevents.
The details of the switch are a bit murky, but the past four years of the Sam Adams-sponsored Octoberfest celebration in Miami has not kept with tradition, says Albelo, who has attended the festival in Munich in the past. He contends it should be celebrated indoors over here as it is in Germany.
See also: Marlins Park Hosting Miami Octoberfest October 4
This year's festival will coincide with the beginning date of the one celebrated in Germany. It will be a German beer hall with long tables, accordion players, and frauleins in traditional garb hugging several steins filled with beer.
Albelo was approached by Boston Brewing Company representatives in Miami. By this time he had already cemented his reputation with Grovetoberfest. But even though he may have been the obvious choice to organize a festival, he was at first reluctant.
"My first reaction was no," he said. "Not because I didn't want to do it, but I didn't want to have something that was another beer festival."
But they asked him again and he agreed. While Grovetoberfest runs in the same vein as the fall festival, it was made for craft beer. At Soho Studios next week, the entire Sam Adams portfolio will be presented, including ten bottles of Utopia. Samples will be sold for $10 each. High-end Sam Adams beers will also be available.
Traditional German food and music will be provided. A massive 240-inch LED screen television will be broadcasting the University of Miami game.
But probably the best feature of the festival is something entirely different from food, music and beer. "It is air-conditioned," Albelo says, "which is going to be nice for a change."
Event tickets have been divided into three categories: The Bavarian, Der Kommisar, and the Chancellor. They range from $20 to $50. The Bavarian ticket includes admission and a free 16 oz. beer. The Der Kommisar stein ticket includes admission, a commemorative Sam Adams half-liter stein, and one free stein fill. The Chancellor, a VIP ticket option includes admission, a commemorative Sam Adams half-liter stein, a souvenir Bavarian hat, access to "The Pavilion", private VIP bathrooms, and two free stein fills.
A 50 percent discount code will be offered as a pre-sale incentive. For more information, visit thisisoctoberfest.com.
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