BUOY’S FIVE-WEEK OKTOBERFEST

September 6, 2024

Buoy Beer has long held a fascination for all things Oktoberfest – from lederhosen and accordion music to bratwurst and festbier.

The Astoria brewery, steeped in lagers since its founding in 2013, can be counted on to host a fun, Bavarian-themed festival.

Last year’s event was at the cavernous Astoria Armory. Before that, the party was at Buoy’s brewpub in the Food Hub building.

The third annual Oktoberfest is going to be very different.

It’s moving to the newly acquired taproom and outdoor patio off Duane Street previously occupied by Reach Break Brewing.

The festivities will be spread out over five Saturdays – starting Sept. 7 and concluding Oct. 5 with the finals of the Stein-ly Cup, Buoy’s popular stein-holding competition. (Sign up online or in person).

Every Saturday, there will be live music to liven things up. The picnic table-dotted patio and indoor spaces can seat more than 200 people.

Can you get your festbier (German-style pale lager) in a traditional one-liter handled mug? Absolutely.

“Come out, enjoy the last of the Astoria sun and drink giant beers,” advised Buoy marketing director Jessyka Dart-Mclean. “Grab a liter and see how long you can hold it.”

Last year’s stein-holding competition was fun to watch.

The family-friendly festivities start at noon each day and continue until 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Here are the highlights:

Sept. 7: Release of Buoy Festbier brewed in collaboration with Portland’s Zoiglhaus Brewing; Stein-ly qualifying rounds at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.; live music 2-5 p.m.

Sept. 14: Release of a different Buoy-Zoiglhaus lager; Stein-ly qualifying rounds; live music 2-5 p.m.

Sept. 21: Stein-ly qualifying rounds; live music 2-5 p.m.

Sept. 28: New Decapitator (barrel-aged doppelbock) release; Stein-ly qualifying rounds; live music 2-5 p.m.

Oct. 5: Stein-ly championship rounds at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; live music 2-5 p.m.

One of the bands performing last year at the Astoria Armory.

A list of bands wasn’t immediately available, but Dart-Mclean said the festival will feature local musicians.

One thing the festival won’t offer this year: Bavarian-style food.

Don’t despair. The new Buoy location features four food trucks offering an array of culinary options.

Q/A WITH BRIAN BOVENIZER OF FORT GEORGE BREWERY

We sat down recently for a wide-ranging discussion with Brian Bovenizer, Fort George’s decidedly unconventional marketing director. He first visited Astoria in 2008 and immediately was smitten by the fledgling brewery. From a bar stool, he asked co-founder Jack Harris for a job, but that didn’t happen until a year later when he started working as a cook with zero experience.

The company expanded quickly, so it didn’t take Bovenizer long to land a marketing/sales job. He’s been helping chart Fort George’s future ever since. He lives in Astoria with his wife and two children, and still manages to find time to play in a band and surf.

WITCHES, BREWS AND BATS

Halloween Hellorium. Kiss the Witch. Nightmare on Bond Street.

Better get that costume ready. Maybe two.

Several breweries are throwing parties in Astoria that promise loads of spooky fun. Best of all: There’s no cover charge.

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