Oktoberfest returns with brats, brews and Bavarian beats

The Socorro County Historical Society will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Oct. 4, at the historic Hammel Brewery and Museum, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1987.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with food service and live entertainment, including belly dancing by Aditi Natesa and traditional tunes from the Oompah Band. Musical performances continue throughout the afternoon, featuring Lefty Guns at 1 p.m. and The Roon Band at 2 p.m. DJ George Murillo will provide music between sets.

Historical Society Treasurer Prescilla Mauldin said that Lefty Guns will be a new performer this year, “He’s really good. He does variety.”

Food service has been adjusted this year to accommodate growing crowds and avoid shortages. Brats and sauerkraut will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with plates priced at $10. Mauldin said they may continue serving past 2 p.m. if supplies allow.

“We were serving from 11 to 4 before, but we kept running out of food,” Mauldin said. “Now we’re saying 11 to 2, but if there are still brats left, we’ll keep going.”

The bratwurst will be boiled and grilled, served with beans, chips, potato salad, bottled water and condiments.

Beer service runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a special pre-Prohibition Bavarian-style lager brewed by the Capital Bar. The recipe is modeled after Hammel Brewery’s original “St. Louis” beer, which was popular in Socorro before Prohibition.

“We have spent years going through all the files at Hammel for the original St. Louis, it has just never been found,” said Paul Harden, Historical Society secretary. “This is as close as it’s ever come to the original recipe that the Hammel brewery used.”

Admission is free and the event is family-friendly. In addition to food and music, attendees can enjoy model train displays, brewery tours and booths from local organizations including the Socorro Garden Club.

Oktoberfest has been held intermittently since 1887, with the Historical Society reviving it in 1987. Mauldin said she hopes this year’s changes will help accommodate the growing number of attendees.

“We’re hoping we get a lot of people,” she said.