If you’ve never been to Germany or experienced the passionate way Germans celebrate their beer, Banger’s invites you to discover this year’s holy matrimony of sausage and suds as they pack weeks’ worth of sounds, sights and sumptuous flavors into four glorious days.
Thursday, Oct. 15, to Sunday, Oct. 18, Banger’s will host what may be the most epic Oktoberfest celebration you can find in Austin.
Banger’s relatively brief history as an Austin cultural hotspot has not limited its ability to draw an impressive annual crowd to its celebration of delicious and traditional German fare and fun. Though this year’s schedule may look compact, they plan to make a big impact.
Oktoberfest at Banger’s Combines Food, Fun and Folk
Typically, Oktoberfest at Banger’s runs parallel to the famed Munich celebration. This year, though, a little music festival we do each year overlapped with Oktoberfest, causing Banger’s to pack what is usually a 16-day schedule into just four days. Fortunately, Banger’s owner Ben Siegel wants you to know this will not prevent him and his staff from staging an epic celebration, complete with traditional smoked meats and beers.
That’s right, smoked beers.
If, like me, you share a love for consuming great beer without having to know how to produce great beer, then you’ll enjoy the deliciously smoked malts provided by Live Oak Brewing Company, which has partnered with Banger’s to bring tradition to Oktoberfest.
Are you worried about paying off the credit card bill you ran up at ACL Fest? No worries. To kick off the festivities, Banger’s will tap a free keg of beer on Oct. 15.
Beer tastes better when it’s free. But I think it tastes even better played alongside a game of Chickensh*t bingo. Don’t know what that is? Neither do I, but it sounds like messy fun.
Local Musicians Celebrate Oktoberfest
Didn’t get enough music at ACL? Then check out this impressive lineup of local Austin musicians Banger’s has scheduled:
Thursday, Oct. 15
- 5-7:30 p.m. – The Tubameisters
- 8-11 p.m. – Off the Grid
Friday, Oct. 16
5- 7 p.m. – Loreli & Schatzi
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Oma & The Oompahs
10 p.m.-12 a.m. – Interrobang
Saturday, Oct. 17
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. – Melody Masters
2:30-4:30 p.m. – Austin Polka Band
5-7 p.m. – Jerry Haisler & The Melody Five
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Yodel Blitz
10 p.m.-12 a.m. – Wino Vino
Sunday, Oct. 18
12-3 p.m. – Urban Achievers
Banger’s Pairs Traditional Beer and Sausage Fare
If there’s anything Banger’s does right, it’s sausage and beer. Boasting the largest tap wall in the city, this Rainey Street venue provides an authentic beer experience that will leave even the thirstiest and most selective patrons satisfied. This year, with a newly revamped kitchen, Banger’s will provide their usual menu and an extended traditional German menu.
You can expect to find a mix of traditional food with a flare of Austin creativity. Flights of three German beers paired with specialty smoked sausages will be on the menu. If you’re feeling more adventurous, look for the whole pig roasted on a spit.
But that’s not all. Banger’s is providing an uniquely authentic German menu with items like Bierwurst, a smoked beef and pork snack sausage served with housemade pickles and spicy mustard. Do you like dumplings? Try the Spaetzle, a traditional German flour dumpling, browned in creamy butter.
And what would Oktoberfest be without a little Schnitzel sausage? This delicious pork cutlet will be stuffed with bacon lardons and sauerkraut, lightly dusted with bread crumbs, over Spaetzle with a side of spicy mustard.
Please stop drooling on your phone.
What Makes Banger’s Oktoberfest Unique?
Gun salute
When I asked owner Ben Siegel what sets Banger’s apart as the go-to spot for Oktoberfest in Austin, he assured me that Banger’s is built for the festival. On Thursday night, Banger’s will literally start the festivities off with a bang, as their traditional 12-gun salute marks the beginning of Oktoberfest. And that’s just the beginning.
So if you love beer, sausage, Germany or fun, then head out to Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden this Thursday through Sunday to catch some of the awesomeness. I hope to see you there.
Prost!
79 Rainey St. – Website
@ATXtherapist wants to know:
What is your favorite Oktoberfest tradition?
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