The city of Hermann will officially launch Oktoberfest at 6:30 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 2, with the “Tapping of the Keg” by Mayor Bruce Cox.  The public is invited to this free event in the bier garten at Tin Mill Brewery, 114 Gutenberg Street.

According to a long-standing German tradition, the first beer barrel at Oktoberfest is always tapped at the Schottenhamel festival tent. The mayor of Munich tried his hardest to insert the tap in as few blows as possible to fill up the first beer glass.   

The tapping of the keg is the third annual tradition for Hermann.

“New this year, Hermann Farm’s Black Shire Horses will usher in the Oktoberfest Barrel to the bier garten,” said Tammy Bruckerhoff, tourism and economic development director for the City of Hermann. “This will be a historic event for officially launching Hermann Oktoberfest.”

Tin Mill Brewery is focused on the art of authentic German Brewing. Derek LeRoy, Brewmaster, along with his team, brews the majority of their beers according to the German Purity Law of 1516 and imports their barley, hops, and copper brewing kettles from the Hallertau region of Germany. The keg being tapped Friday night will be filled with Oktoberfest beer. LeRoy and his family will also be ushering in the Oktoberfest keg. 

The city of Hermann celebrates Oktoberfest all month long, primarily Fridays - Sundays. Local wineries, breweries, distilleries and museums will offer tastings and history tours.  

For more information about Hermann Oktoberfest, go to https://visithermann.com/oktoberfest-in-hermann/.