Oktoberfest benefits United Way

Author: Will Mallett

Otter Creek Brewing held its 13th Annual Oktoberfest Benefit Bash on Sept. 29, celebrating the season and raising funds for the United Way of Addison County, a nationwide organization whose mission, according to its Web site, is to "improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities." Although the delicious beer, fresh food and local music may have provided some of the incentive, Otter Creek certainly did its best this year in mobilizing the community to support this cause.

The brewery on Exchange Street in Middlebury was a scene straight out of Bavaria, with a healthy crowd composed of all age groups gathered in a pastoral setting to celebrate the harvest season. The notably responsible company did, however, opt to serve its renowned Oktoberfest Ale and Wolaver's Organic selections in pints rather than the traditional German one-liter steins. Otherwise, the only significant differences may have been the welcome absence of liederhosen and the comparative scale of the mountains in the background, the Green Mountains naturally being far more impressive than the Bavarian Alps.

Among the crown jewels of the celebration was the Oktoberfest beer itself, a seasonal brew modeled on an autumnal classic from the world capital of beer. Available from August to November, the rich golden brew balances its mild sweetness with rich Hallertau and Tettnang hops. Sufficiently hearty but without the bitterness and density of a stout, the Oktoberfest is perfect for an autumn morning or evening and tastes as good as fall foliage looks - beautiful. Good beer was only one (or maybe two, if you had a designated driver) of a number of attractions at the family-friendly event, however. Local farms provided a superb feast, doing justice to both the season and the cause, and including a variety of sausages, fresh apple pies, corn on the cob and other vegetables just out of the fields.

In keeping with the local theme of the celebration, the event was kicked off by The Fiddleheads, a band composed of young local musicians who played mostly traditional folk tunes. The group was well received by an enthusiastic crowd.

"They have a real refreshing, youthful energy," said one pleased spectator. At around six o'clock, the Dirtminers, another distinctive Vermont group with rock and country influences, took to the stage and provided an outstanding, high-energy set. The Dirtminers are among the Vermont bands featured on Otter Creek's Vermont Sampler CD - "a 12-pack of original Vermont music" ≠- available with the purchase of an Otter Creek Vermont Sampler variety pack.

Despite some minor logistical changes, the festival this year was pretty much in keeping with the brewery's past Oktoberfest celebrations.

"We've adjusted a bit this year to allow for a little more daylight," said company owner Morgan Wolaver. This year's 4-8 p.m. setting lent a harvest-festival feel to the event, with the large tent still providing a good beer-and-music atmosphere. The timing was also decidedly family-friendly, as demonstrated by the large number of mom-and-toddler couples on the dance floor. The beer, though first-class, was evidently not a prerequisite for fun at this year's Oktoberfest.

In the past, Otter Creek's Oktoberfest Benefit Bash has supported such charities as the Addison County Community Action Group, Addison County Elderly Services, Vermont Adult Learning, Porter Hospital, Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association, the Open Door Clinic and the Tom Sustic Fund.