Crooked Can draws plans for Oktoberfest

WINTER GARDEN  With the celebration of MusicFest over, Plant Street figures to have less commotion this weekend.

Then again, maybe not.

In consideration of MusicFest and other events, officials at Crooked Can Brewing Co. at Plant Street Market decided Oct. 16 to 18 would be the best time for their inaugural celebration of Oktoberfest.

Andy Sheeter, one of the founding members of the company, said cooler weather and a lesser chance of rain also were factors in picking this weekend.

“Our Oktoberfest beer was released last week, and we’re probably going to have to take it off, because we’re just going through it real quick, especially with MusicFest,” Sheeter said. “We want to make sure we have plenty of that available for the Oktoberfest celebration.”

Pumpkin ale and liter mugs will be among other special offerings during this event, he said.

“And of course we’re going to have a tent out front with the street shut down and biergartens, so that’s going to be the first time we’ve done that,” Sheeter said.

Tickets will be available and required for purchasing beer from the biergartens, but customers still can purchase beer inside by cash, with consideration for reducing customer wait times, Sheeter said.

For families who want to enjoy the event, puppet shows will occur twice per day on Saturday and Sunday, with a face-painter visiting on each of the three days, he said. Various arts and crafts activities also will be available.

“Then at night, we’re going to have a big blow-up screen on the lawn that’s by the silo and play a kids’ movie,” Sheeter said. “I’m searching for a German-themed one, (but) it may have a Halloween theme.”

Plant Street Market vendors will serve special foods, such as bratwurst and knockwurst by the Local Butcher and Market and schnitzel and burgers from Five Thymes Five, Sheeter said.

Winter Garden Pizza Co. will be on hand with pizza, joining the Plant Street Market vendors in the tent near the beer garden, he said.

Live entertainment will include Layla Brisbois (6 to 9 p.m. Friday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday), Scotty Long (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday) and John Wyatt (3 to 6 p.m. Saturday), with polka playing at other times, Sheeter said.

With all of these offerings, McSwagger the Crooked Can Guy has been champing at the bit.

“From McSwagger’s point of view, I would say that it’s really McSwagger’s favorite time of year,” Sheeter said. “That’s when the fall releases of the beer come out, and so what better way than to come to the Crooked Can and celebrate these new beers with everybody under a beautiful setting?”

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].