Oktoberfest at the Maymont Bier-Garden

Traditional German culture, food, and beer are essential to contemporary fall parties all around the world, inspired by the first Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, in 1810. One of Richmond’s largest outdoor Oktoberfest celebrations is the Maymont Bier-Garden, a mix of tradition and modern food and fun, scheduled this year for Sept. 20 and 21.

The very first Oktoberfest on Oct. 12, 1810, was a royal wedding celebration, honoring the union of Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria, later King Ludwig I, and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Horse racing was the culminating event of the five-day “folk festival.” The next year, the folks decided to re-create the event, without the wedding. Given the party atmosphere and the opportunity to generate revenue, the celebration became an annual event.

Oktoberfest evolved over the years, as organizers added carousels, performers, and huge beer tents with musicians. Today, the Munich Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival and draws millions of visitors annually. The traditional Oktoberfest beer was a Märzen lager (brewed in March and lagered till fall), rich with malt flavor, aromas and flavors of toasted bread, and marked by a clean finish. Today, Munich’s tents mostly pour a paler Festbier, while Oktoberfestbier is the protected name for the versions made by the six Munich breweries for the festival.

Here in the U.S., the event is marked by big parties with traditional German culture, fare, and beer. One of Richmond’s annual outdoor Oktoberfest celebrations is Maymont’s two-day Bier-Garden, with a mix of traditional favorites and modern flair on the grounds of the historic Gilded Age mansion.

What guests can expect at the Maymont Bier-Garden

Maymont Oktoberfest organizers present a mix of traditional and contemporary, to please a diversity of guests.

Food

Maymont will be serving authentic Bavarian and Polish fare, locally crafted.

The Mayor Meats will offer small-batch, handcrafted currywust, bratwurst, frankfurters, and schnitzel with spaetzle, along with soft pretzels, potato salad and gurkensalat.

Capital Ale House is bringing back its huge sampler platter (or individual items served a la carte): beer-braised pork shank, chicken and pork schnitzel, sausages, and sides of German potato salad, sauerkraut, rotkohl (sweet and sour red cabbage), and beer-braised onions. And German pretzels, of course.

On the less traditional side, other food trucks will serve Polish pierogis, ice cream, funnel cakes, and kid-friendly treats

Drinks

Maymont Bier-Garden guests can choose from four classic Paulaner Oktoberfest beers as well as local craft beers – Bingo Fest Friends (a Maymont collab), a Väsen light lager, and Stone Delicious Hazy IPA – cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options.

Dan Jablow of Small-Batch Brewing will also present home-brewing demos.

Fun

Look for traditional music and dance from Fritz’s Polka Band and the Hirschjäger Bavarian Dancers as well as stein-hoisting competitions (with separate rounds for kids and grownups). The event also includes yard games, a Marketplatz of vendors, Dachshund Enlightenment Foundation’s Pint-Sized Pup Parade, a Kinderzone, and a Richmond tradition – Jonathan the Juggler.

Maymont encourages guests to buy their tickets in advance to help assure adequate supplies and staffing. As an incentive, tickets are $10 in advance versus $15 on event day.

Maymont Bier-Garden at Maymont Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond 
Sept. 20 and 21, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day