Alabama is the Place to Be for Oktoberfest

The folks in Alabama are going to have a very special Oktoberfest this year across the entire state. On May 22, 2009 Governor Bob Riley signed HB373, the Gourmet Beer Bill. Free The Hops, a grass roots non-profit organization, introduced the bill to the Alabama legislature in 2006. It may have taken a few years but it passed this May and now the allowable alcohol by volume (ABV) in beer has been increased from 6% to 13.9%. To celebrate they are planning the first Free The Hops Oktoberfest on Saturday September 19, 2009 in downtown Birmingham's historic Morris Avenue between 21^st and 22^nd street. There will be German cuisine, live music, and more than 25 German and German-style American made beers.

Beer connoisseurs from Florence to Mobile are salivating just at the thought of tasting all those new, craft beers and Birmingham's party is just the beginning. So grab your stein, select a designated driver, and tour the state. You can go from north to south from September to November.

Here's a sampling of how to do it, listed by date.

Fort Ruker will hold it's Oktoberfest on September 26, 2009 at Howze Field from 5 pm to 9 pm. They'll have food and beer, carnival games, crafts, vendors and live bands. Open to the public. Lots of family fun. Call 334-255-9810

Then head north to Florence Alabama where the small town of St. Florian celebrates it's rich German culture with music, artisans, children's activities, an antique tractor and engine s how and German food. Their fest will be at St. Michael's Church October 2-3. Call 256-767-3690

Then find your way to Mobile. There'll be a beautiful fest at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in on October 3. There will be a German luncheon, music, a display of German porcelains, and a very special German dinner cruise aboard the Southern Bell River Cruiser. Admission is charged. Call 251-973-2217 for more info on this.

But wherever you are, make sure you get to Cullman. This is a grand celebration every year so expect it to really be a winner this time. The artisan beers are going to flow! This is a town with real German heritage and they go all out for Oktoberfest. There will be German music, food and dancing, a weiner dog race, bratwurst eating contest, historic district tours, and an arts and crafts show. Miss Oktoberfest will be crowned at the Burgermeister Ball. So get yourself to the Festhalle Market Plaza behind the Cullman County Museum in downtown Cullman. The dates are October 3-11, 2009. Call 800-533-1258 for more information. You don't want to miss this one!

Then move on to Alexander City for their celebration on October 10, 2009. The event is always a community favorite and features a day long celebration of arts and crafts, great food, entertainment, kid's activities, sports programs, dancing, a huge antique car show and much more. The event will take place from 8 am to 5 pm. Call 256-329-6736.

Do Alexander City early because you have to scoot over to Montgomery on the same day. There will be a blast at Faulkner University October 10, 2009 from 9 am to 4 pm. Expect a really big arts and crafts show and over 50 vendors, a children's area, entertainment and food. Call 334-386-7181 to get the low down on this one.

You can bet there will be more cities announcing the Oktoberfests as the time grow closer. Alabama is the place to be this year for all the fests across the state. The beers are going to be amazing. This is going to be an opportunity for all the gourmet beer makers to introduce their product to a more than enthusiastic audience. So make your way to Alabama for Oktoberfest. You taste buds will thank you forever.