BREWING has begun for a long matured German lager ahead of “The World Famous Evenwood Oktoberfest” .
German yeast, malt and hops mixed with Teesdale water are the ingredients for McColl Brewery’s Fest Lager, which will be served in two-pint steins at this year’s event on Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23.
Brewery owner Danny McColl hosted the inaugural Oktoberfest last year, and promises this year will be bigger and better.
He said: “We did it for the first time last year – that is still being talked about.
“It was, I reckon, the biggest party Evenwood has ever seen.
“It was just amazingly brilliant – hence this year we self-titled it The World Famous Evenwood Oktoberfest.”
Although most of the revellers were from the village, about a quarter travelled from Sunderland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Darlington and other north east centres to savour the special brew made specifically for the two-day party.
For the first time, live music will be provided by Aycliffe and Brancepeth Brass Band who perform traditional brass, brass takes on modern music and some oompah music to suit the occasion.
Also new this year is an outdoor marquee where the food – simple German fare of bratwurst (with a vegan option) and pretzels – will be served. But the beer is the star of the show.
Head brewer Si Whittington said: “We brew seven or eight weeks in advance – it takes a long time cold maturing for it to be ready on the day. The Germans tend to mature their beer for a long time.
“We will taste it a lot, we will look at it a lot under the microscope, we will test it with various bits of equipment,” he added.
“If it doesn’t taste like it is ready it will stay in the tank a bit longer.
“That is what sets us apart from some of that are a bit bigger. We can take our time and make sure it is right.”
The party gets underway at midday on the Friday and continues until 11pm on the Saturday.
