Bed and Breakfast and Beer – Oktoberfest originated in Munich, Germany and every year there at Theresienwiese, it comes alive again when five million guests from all over the world ….meet to eat and drink in the large field that was the original site in 1810 as Prince Ludwig of Bavaria invited a mere 40,000 Muncheners to celebrate his wedding to Princess Therese. Here in the USA you can choose from one of many Oktoberfest celebrations held across the country in honor of this event. And by staying at a bed and breakfast you gain a local perspective to the festivities as well as enjoying a relaxing and pampered stay.
Brass Bands and Bratwurst
In New Ulm, Minnesota, the first two weekends of October are ‘Party Time’ as they celebrate Oktoberfest! Here locals provide the entertainment in abundance with many German brass bands, polka bands and the Concord Singers. You’ll need someplace to sleep off the thirst quenching local beer and German food, so consider a stay over at The Bohemian B&B. Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian mansion with seven rooms the innkeepers serve up a German Bohemian Breakfast that includes Brats Cooked in Beer (locally brewed by Schells Brewery) with a side of drunken waffles.
Oktoberfest in Texas
They do everything big in Texas, including the annual Wurstfest (Sausage Festival) in the German heritage town of New Braunfels. For 10 days (November 2-11), New Braunfels offers live entertainment, demonstrations, amusement rides, “and lots of authentic German food,” says Diane Reed, owner of the Biscuit Hill B&B. “Oops, I forgot beer,” she adds. “You can't eat German food without beer, can you?” Indeed not, and you shouldn’t visit Wurstfest without staying at the Biscuit Hill B&B close by. Set on a hill with a stunning lake view, Biscuit Hill offers tastefully-decorated rooms – some with private decks and/or jacuzzi tubs, as well as cooking demonstration courses. It’s the best place to unwind, before preparing to go back and take on the wurst!
Yodeling at Vail
Vail, Colorado is not only famous for skiing, but for its Oktoberfest celebrations. Booked for the first three weekends of September, Oktoberfest in Vail features lot’s of great German beer, bratwurst-eating contests, keg bowling, and even alpine horns and yodeling. Between events, rest your head (and stomach) at the West Beaver Creek B&B just minutes away. This is a wonderful B&B that offers not just honestly authentic chalet-themed rooms with lots of wood, but even a six bedroom house that you can rent. Despite its luxury, however, innkeepers Robert and Theresa Borg pride themselves on offering reasonable prices.
The Best Jaegerschnitzel and Spaetzle Served All Year
Finally, if you want to enjoy Oktoberfest living and a B&B stay simultaneously, then head to St. Ansgar, Iowa and visit the Blue Belle Inn B&B and Teahouse. “I lived in Augsburg, Germany for three years and brought home recipes after taking cooking classes from a German neighbor, so this is some of the most authentic German food found anywhere,” explains innkeeper Sherrie Hansen Decker. “I've had several German nationals here for dinner over the years, and all agree that our German Potato Salad, pickled cucumbers and beets, Jaegerschnitzel and Spaetzle (homemade spaetzle is hard to find even in Germany) are the absolute best. They're all made from scratch, delicious, and exactly what you'd find in a little neighborhood gasthof in Bavaria.” The Blue Belle’s German dinner is scheduled for the week of October 5 and 6, but Sherrie will make it by special request for groups of eight or more at any time. By the way, the Blue Belle Inn is housed in a gorgeous Queen Anne Victorian manor; with stained glass windows and chandeliers.
The Bohemian
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/minnesota/bohemiana.htm\
Biscuit Hill B&B
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/texas/biscuithill.htm
West Beaver Creek Lodge
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/colorado/westbeavercreeklodge.htm
The Blue Belle Inn B&B and Teahouse
www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/iowa/bluebelle.htm
Still undecided? Go to www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Barbara Naylon at 949-497-2232, ext. 305.
