Kingsport Oktoberfest | September 28th, 2013

Kingsport180x180Holy cow!! Is summer really on it’s way out?  Man this year is just flying by but don’t dismay brew lovers because when fall arrives so do the beer festivals.  There are so many to choose from within 2 hours of Knoxville but one in particular I look forward to since inception in 2011 and that is the Kingsport Oktoberfest.  I have had the pleasure of attending each one and I have to say Aaron Carson, your host, keeps packing more and more in one fun filled day.  This is the only festival in the area that has combined a street festival complete with crafts, food, activities along with a beer festival.

If you stop on by downtown Kingsport on September  28th you will be greeted with the sounds and smells of a traditional Oktoberfest.  This year’s festival includes the ever popular Wiener Dog Race, my favorite, Das Kids Zone complete with bounce houses, kids cornhole, balloons and stilt walkers, food, crafts and music. A new addition for this year is a 40 X 40 ft tent with five wide screen TV’s just outside the Bier Garden so you can relax and catch up on some football.

With your ticket you will be able to enjoy a fantastic selection of brews.  Here is just a sample:

Wicked Weed – Smoked Pumpkin Fruition Cask
Wicked Weed – Double Dry Hooped Freak
Highland – Oatmeal Porter with Jalapeno Cask
Highland – Rum Barrel Aged Coconut Stout
FestivALE (VIP) – Gregarious Great Pumpkin – Harvest Pumpkin Ale run through a Pumpkin
FestivALE (VIP) – Santa’s Getting Fresh – Double Dutch Chocolate Ale infused with Candy Canes
Lazy Magnolia – 3rd Harvest Ginger Beer Cask
Lazy Magnolia – Pete’s Pretty Pumpkin Pie Cask
Lazy Magnolia – Knoxvegas Heat – Chipotle Cask

I have also heard rumors that The Gameshow Network is sending Ben Bailey from Cash Cabs to immerse himself into the mix so be ready to give him the correct answer to whatever he comes up with.  Not to overshadow Ben but I know  The Brew Mob from Maryville, TN will be roaming the Bier Garden, enjoying the libations and shooting vids so be on your best festival behavior.

From what I understand there is still regular tickets and VIP and the Premier Club tickets available for you starting at 40 bucks.  That is one hell of a deal for tickets to a festival that has a place in the 50 favorite festival list from Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine.  These tickets are for the Bier Garden only.  The rest of the festival is free so even if you are not a beer drinker, which is beyond my comprehension, you still need to head on down there, bring the kids and have a blast.

PROST!

Don