Oktoberfest comes to Rochdale

Oktoberfest - Lindsay Marson and Ben Wright from The Jager Maestros Oompah Band

Oktoberfest, The Flying Horse’s annual event, comes back to Rochdale.

The beer festival will bring a weekend of German inspired activities to the town for three days on the weekend of Friday 27 September – Sunday 29 September.

The Flying Horse manager, Ben Boothman said: “It is a really good weekend to be a part of.” 

The original Oktoberfest is a German festival celebrating beer which runs for 16 days in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Ben decided to hold his own Oktoberfest after attending the German festival in 2009. “It was just such a good concept,” he added.

The Rochdale Oktoberfest will include a selection of German beer and German food but will still celebrate all things local to Rochdale.

The Flying Horse will have three German Pils on tap and will serve beer in traditional German steins.

Local beer will also be available with Hay Rake brewery from Littleborough hosting a meet the brewer event on Friday, with samples of their beer being offered to people in attendance.

Bratwurst sausage served on baguettes and currywurst, a traditional German fast food dish comprised of German sausage seasoned with curry ketchup, will also be available throughout the weekend.

Local bands will also be taking to the stage. Friday will see The Jackson Kay band do their famous Band-e-oke, they provide the band and you provide the vocals.

The Jager Maestros Oompah Band, who Ben described as “amazing”, will take to the stage on Saturday and the festival will come to an end on Sunday with DJs Simon and Daz hosting the final day.

Staff at The Flying Horse will also be dressed in traditional German dress throughout the weekend.

Ben added: “This event is very popular. I wish I could hold two a year but I can’t really.”