Newport Waterfront Events

Embrace the arrival of autumn! Each year our festival is the place to feast on a selection of authentic Bavarian favorites and savory Oktoberfest classics. 2009 also brought us a special introduction to our favorite Ale's and Brew's (that Bock is something else!). See below to find out more.

What will 2010 serve up? Keep in touch to find out!

What's Happening
Meet the Brews


	The Johnsonville® Big Taste Grill Indulge in bratwursts, a true Oktoberfest delicacy, at the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill! At 65 feet long and weighing 53,000 pounds, The Big Taste Grill boasts 45 gallons of ketchup, 12 gallons of mustard, 98 pounds of onions, 105 pounds of sauerkraut and 154 quarts of pickle relish. These mouthwatering statistics can only mean two things - the World’s Largest Touring Grill and the World’s Largest Tailgate Party! Miss Shelly can cook 750 bratwursts at a time, or about 2,500 brats per hour!

	Hofbräuhaus - West Springfield, Massachusetts The Hofbräuhaus restaurant, from West Springfield, MA, will be at Oktoberfest serving up everything German, including authentic Weiner Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Spatzle, Sauerbraten and other delicious offerings. Hofbräuhaus has established itself as one of the area’s premier fine dining experiences, with the staff dressed in traditional Bavarian attire, the beer served in steins, and the European atmosphere festive and inviting. This year, Hofbräuhaus brings the true spirit of Oktoberfest to Newport - a bit of Old Bavaria in New England!

	Kindergarten Tent Get the entire family in on the fall festivities, in the Oktoberfest die Familie Tent! This tent is dedicated to families and features great family entertainment, seasonal crafts and activities for all ages.

	The Expanded International Biergarten Linger in our expanded International Biergarten, where local and international brewers are waiting to serve up creations made especially for this event, including Leinenkugel, Samuel Adams, Newport Storm, Spaten, Beck’s, Hoegaarden, Leffe Brown, Edison, Narragansett, and more. You’ll find a variety of styles and limited-time seasonal brews to hone your palate and enrich your beer vocabulary.

	“The Tapping of the Keg” Ceremony Spaten's flavorful Oktoberfest beer, specially brewed and stored for this beer festival, is waiting for its great moment. Join us as we kick off the Oktoberfest festivities with the Tapping of the Keg, when the hearty brew is awakened by the mighty blows of our Master of Ceremonies, or “Bürgermeister,” declaring “O’zapft is!”

	Beck’s Biergarten Be sure to stroll through the Beck’s Biergarten – where there is a brew for every beer-lover. Whether you like German-Style Beer, European Pilsner, Belgian White or Belgian Brown Ale, you do not want to miss this newly expanded attraction of the festival - featuring Beck’s Oktoberfest, Stella Artois, Leffe Brown and Hoegaarden. Raise a stein of your favorite and join in the world-wide celebration! Eins, zwei, g’suffa!

It’s no secret that for those who are aficionados of brews and ales of all types look forward to Oktoberfest each year with high spirits. The opportunity to try so many deliciously crafted beers in one place is a rare and welcomed opportunity. This year, the opportunities to expand your beer palate are practically endless. Here are just a few of the brews you may encounter at this year’s International Oktoberfest!:


	Märzenbier (”March Beer”) More commonly known as “Oktoberfestbier.” Originally brewed in March and stored in icy caves (lagered) through the summer, Märzen is always the first beer to be tapped at the end-of-summer festival known as Oktoberfest. The color ranges from light to dark amber, backed by sweet malt flavors with a clean hop bitterness and malty aroma. They are commonly between 5% and 6% alcohol by volume (abv). Examples to try include Spaten Oktoberfest, Beck’s Oktoberfest, Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest, and Samuel Adams Octoberfest.

	Helles (”Light”) The German Helles lager is known for its light toasted maltiness and ease of drinking. It is not a “light beer;” Helles lagers are called such for their lighter color. They have very low hop bitterness and mild hop flavor and aroma. Commonly between 4.5% and 5.5% abv. Spaten Premium Lager is a classic example of the style.

	Vienna (from Vienna, Austria) One of the darker lagers, Vienna lagers are amber or copper in color with a roasted malt flavor. Light in body with a clean, crisp hop bitterness, their flavors range from malt-backed to high in "Noble" hoppiness and aroma. Commonly between 4.8% and 5.5% abv. Samuel Adams Boston Lager is typically classified as a Vienna lager.

	Bock (from Einbeck, Germany) A heavier lager, Bock bier can be very light in color (Maibock) or very dark. Bocks are commonly very rich and malty with just enough hop bitterness to prevent them from being overly sweet. They should taste and smell of malt all of the way through, with little to no hop flavor and aroma. Commonly between 6% and 7.5% abv. Narragansett Bock Beer is one example of this hearty brew.

	Witbier (”Whitebeer”) Witbier originated in Belgium, but has spread far and wide in popularity. Wits are wheat ales and are fermented warmer than lagers. They are brewed with certain spices to give them their distinct flavor - orange peel and coriander are the most common, but each brewery has its own recipe. The wheat, spices, and warm fermentation temperatures combine to create a very light colored, flavorful beer, known for its spicy flavors and aromas. Commonly between 4.8% and 5.2% abv. Popular examples include Hoegaarden Witbier and Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat.