A Bavarian celebration to remember, for those of legal drinking age, is returning to the community with the return of Half Hitch Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest celebration on Sept. 23.
The festival will take place at the Cochrane Lions Club Event Centre with doors opening at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 in advance, and $30 at the doors, with food and drink will be available for purchase on site.
One of the owners of Half Hitch Brewing Company, Britt Kozloski, said the iconic Cochrane brewery has hosted the event since 2017.
“In September, we wanted to do something to celebrate the occasion,” Kozloski said. “Our family has a lot of German heritage, and as a family, we’ve actually gone to Oktoberfest. So, it was a really fun thing we wanted to do here for the town.”
Outside of the iconic steins of beer, Kozloski said this year’s event will feature eats from the local butchery, Butchery Block, alongside a return performance from the band, Premium Akkord.
“They come and play a variety of music really focusing on that traditional Oktoberfest music,” Kozloski said. “And we had partnered with the Butchery Block who will be doing Bratwurst and pretzel bites, and then obviously we will be having Half Hitch Brew available at the bar.”
A new addition that will make the guests raise their glass and shout ‘Proßt’ is the addition of a special-made Oktoberfest lager for the festival which was available as of Sept. 15.
“It’s a Marzen-style lager,” Kozloski explained. “So, we brewed it at the end of July, so we’ve been letting it ferment for a while.”
Kozloski said the brew is unique to the area, and has a unique flavour profile to match.
“We let it ferment for a couple months just to get it where we want it to be, but it’s a medium to full-body,” Kozloski said. “It has a really nice pale-note that comes through, very crisp, very easy drinking.”
Leading up to the event, Kozloski said the brewery will be giving residents the chance to taste the lager on Sept. 15 and plans to keep the festivities going at their location until Oct. 3.
From the guests to patrons, Kozloski assures that all those in attendance will have an enjoyable experience.
“We have stein holding competitions, different types of games that we play throughout the night, a lot of singing and chatting, and a lot of dancing,” she said. “It’s a really fun opportunity to let loose and experience Oktoberfest on Alberta soil for sure.”
With the event taking place next weekend, Kozloski said the festivities are a highlight for both her family and the community.
“We’ve been in this brewery since 2016, but it’s an opportunity for all of us to come together, dress up, have fun, and connect with the community,” she said. “It’s become a very important part of our lives, and of the brewery every year; so I’m really looking forward to having it again.”
With growing attendance each year, Kozloski said tickets are selling fast. She estimates the event will reach the 500-person mark this year. She advises that tickets are limited and anyone who may be interested in attending can purchase their tickets online by visiting www.halfhitchbrewing.ca.
