Friday Foodstuffs: Hier Kommt Oktoberfest in South Jersey!

Last year around this time, I mentioned on our Eating in South Jersey blog that the number of Oktoberfest events in South Jersey was expanding. Little did I know that this year there would be an explosion of Oktoberfests. So if you’ve been waiting to get yer beer-n-bratz-n-oompahpah thing going on, your time has arrived!

Let’s start with this weekend since it’s, well, this weekend. Iron Hill Brewery in Maple Shade is going to celebrate Oktoberfest from tomorrow until the cows come home, which will be Oct. 9. Expect plenty of German food and beer to be available on their menu and tap, respectively. Golden Nugget in Atlantic City keeps it going with their own Oktoberfest on The Deck from noon to 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 24 the celebration moves to Merchantville. The Blue Monkey Tavern is throwing their own Oktoberfest party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost for tickets is $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Then things start to get busy. Really busy. Uber busy.

On Friday, Sept. 30, it is the annual Oktobeerwinefest at the Wedgwood Country Club in Turnersville. Plenty of food, wine, beer and Gary Monterosso will be had that night. Tickets are $20 if you buy ‘em now, and $30 if you buy ‘em at the door. Artisan’s Brewery & Italian Grill in Toms River will be having their own Oktoberfest celebartion as well, and trust me – the menu that night will be anything but Italian.

The next day, Oct. 1, gives you the choice in location between Cape May (on Jackson Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Palmyra (at the Palmyra Cove Nature Park from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – but you must buy your tickets in advance), and Medford (at Ironstone Village from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City has their Oktoberfest celebration the following day. And on both days, there will be Oktoberfest happening at Historic Smithville in Galloway Township from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Then we take a breath. Then we mention a few more.

Resorts Casino in Atlantic City is having their Oktoberfest on the weekend of Oct. 15 and 16. The Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield will be holding a German Beer Festival on Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sea Isle City will be throwing theirs on Oct. 22 (details forthcoming). And finally, Trump Taj Mahal in AC will have thier Oktoberfest weekend on Oct. 29 and 30.

Ach du lieber!

Yeah, you said it, Fritz! And that’s only the half of it.

Just suppose you like doing your oompahpah-ing at home with your friends. Far from me to judge how you spend your time; in fact, if this is what you had in mind, here are some upcoming cooking classes geared for a German celebration…

The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing is offering a German Cooking class on Sept. 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $65 per person.

The Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s will have not one, not two, but drei cooking classes: an Oktoberfest class on Oct. 1 and 16, and a German Party Food class on Oct. 5.

And finally, an Oktoberfest! class at Kitchen Kapers in Moorestown will be taking place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 15.

So…what else is going on? Let’s check the weekend schedule.

In Ocean County

For the seafood, you have the massively popular Festival of the Sea in Point Pleasant Beach taking place this Saturday, Sept. 17.

A little ways away...

The Cape May Food & Wine Celebration and the Wings ‘n Water Festival at The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor got started today. Wing ‘n Water runs all weekend, and the Food & Wine Celebration runs through Sept. 25.

This weekend is the big boffo Winefest 2011 at Valenzano Winery in Shamong. Tickets will cost $20 at the door.

Tomorrow night is the Craft Beer Festival at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Atlantic City. Gary Monterosso will be there, cleverly disguised as a beer expert. I will be there as well, cleverly disguised as a food blogger.

If you're a bit more adventurous...

You like crabs? You like crab races? You can seek out both on Saturday at the  Lower Alloway Creek Crab & Craft Festival in Hancock’s Bridge. For crabs and bowling (I always put those two together), it's Crab-A-Palooza at Pinsetter Bar & Bowl in Pennsauken.

On Sunday, Sept. 18, get out to the farm again for Feast in the Fields at the Burlington County Community Agricultural Center in Moorestown. Doing the cooking will be  La Esperanza (Lindenwold), Coriander (Voorhees) and Elements Cafe (Haddon Heights).

And…Sunday is beginning of NJ Restaurant Week! Check the listing to see which area restaurants will be participating.

Enjoy your weekend!