 | | | Polkageist West entertains Canyon Club Brewery's Oktoberfest revelers Photo Vera Kochan | | | | | | As you hoisted that stein of beer, you may not have known the origin of Oktoberfest, and you may not even have cared, but the annual festival in Munich, Germany is held over a two-week period and ends on the first Sunday in October. It originated on Oct. 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
Moraga's Canyon Club Brewery has its very own biergarten which provided a perfect backdrop for this third annual event. The celebrations were held Oct. 14-16 and included a special menu of German potato cakes, Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, sauerkraut, applesauce, fries with German curry ketchup, and German rice pudding. Folks washed that down with either imported German beer or CCB's special Oktoberfest Beer. On Saturday, Polkageist West provided traditional German music with a twist.
CCB had every intention of conducting a "stein-holding contest," but apparently the crowd was full of "hühner," which means "chickens" in German. Let this information serve as a notice for next year!
General Manager Kirsten Popcke was busily enjoying the atmosphere while taking care of guests. "Oktoberfest is my favorite time of the year. It's lively and fun with the music. I love it!" At one point, an elderly couple found some space in the crowd large enough to dance in - proving that where there's a will, there's a way.
Moraga resident and former recreation assistant for the town's Parks and Rec Department, Kim Burrowes, came by to see the band. Now working in Emeryville, she stated, "I've hired them before, and I know they are good." Prost!! |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA