Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls
A few months
ago, I went to a Radio 96.1 Craft Beer Club event at Tyler’s Taproom in
Raleigh. The featured brewery was
Leinenkugel’s, a 146 year old brewery located in Chippewa Falls,
Wisconsin. In addition to sampling the
brewery’s summer seasonal (Canoe Paddler,a Kolsch style) and its newest “Big
Eddy” series brew (Ryewine Ale, a barleywine style ale clocking in at 10% abv)
there were opportunities to score pint glasses, t-shirts and even a canoe
paddle. Anyone attending the event could
also register to win a grand prize trip to the Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls. The trip was billed as a beer lover’s dream
and included airfare, three nights accommodations, a brewery tour, boat ride,
access to the Oktoberfest celebration and more.
I remember dropping in my entry and commenting how I don’t win such
things. I was just happy leave with the
newest addition to my pint glass collection, a Leinenkugel’s glass autographed
by Dick Leinenkugel, who was there for the event. (The brewery is currently under the control
of three brothers, Jake, Dick and John, who are the fifth generation of
Leinenkugels to manage the still growing operation.)
Fast forward
a few weeks. I get a call from Radio
96.1 advising me that I had been chosen as the grand prize winner. Wait.
What?!? I was going to Chippewa
Falls for Oktoberfest! For any beer
lover, a trip to a brewery, especially one that is not local, is a true
treat. This trip would be no
different.
A few days
before the trip, my wife and I received our itinerary. I was blown away. Not only were we to have the trip itself with
admission to the three day Oktoberfest celebration, but there were lunches at
the Leine Lodge and a dinner with a boat ride around nearby Lake Wissota. Fantastic!
We did
experience some travel woes, but that would be overshadowed by what was to
come. Once we made it to Chippewa Falls,
we were greeted with a packet containing our final itinerary, admission
wristbands to Oktoberfest, tickets good for beers at the event, lunch meal
tickets and a gift card to the Leine Lodge.
We promptly made our way to the Leine Lodge and took the first available
brewery tour. The tour lasted about 45
minutes and covered the history of Leinenkugel’s, the brewing process and an
overview of past and present beers produced by the brewery. After the tour, we went back to the lodge for
some beer samples. Getting into the
spirit, we proceeded to Oktoberfest, which was only a short walk from the
lodge. We enjoyed some German food and a
few beers before turning in for the night.
The next day, we went to Oktoberfest early so we could see some exhibits
(including a 1527 pound pumpkin) and sample some Wisconsin cheese. Then it was back to the Leine Lodge for a
brat lunch and more beer sampling. Then
back to Oktoberfest for more beer sampling…
You get the picture. After
immersing ourselves in German culture and heritage for a few hours, it was time
to head to what turned out to be a true highlight of the trip – dinner at High
Shores Supper club and a pontoon boat ride around Lake Wissota. We enjoyed a four-course dinner accompanied
by three different beers - all great combinations. Then the boat ride – with more beer. Unfortunately, we were so full from the great
meal it was difficult to enjoy more beer!
After returning from dinner, we headed out for one last night of
Oktoberfest. We enjoyed some great live
music and I was able to share the last of out beer tickets with some
unsuspecting festival-goers.
On our way
home – which thankfully was much less eventful than the trip out – we had time
to reflect on a great trip. The
location, people we met, food we enjoyed, beers we drank… Such a fun time. And in case you are wondering what my
favorite beer was… Oktoberfest, of
course.
Tony S.
Radio 96.1 Listener (and winner!)
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