http://www.alpinevillage.net/oktoberfest.htm
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oktoberfest—the-alpine-village-torrance

My first Oktoberfest experience happened last year in Alpine Village located in Torrance, Ca. According to their website, they’ve been hosting this festive event for the last 42 years and it’s no surprise why it has lasted this long.

Housed in a large tent canopy in the middle of Alpine village is the annual Oktoberfest, which runs from September 12th – October 25th, 2009. After parking your car, you’ll feel the German brewsky charged partying vibe right from the parking lot. Pay an $8 entrance fee and off you go!

Loud music, jovial dancing and a live German band greet you as you enter the tent. Occasionally, the band will invite guests up for drinking contests ranging from the fastest drinker to how long can you hold your stein. Winners walk away with a full belly and some souveniers.

Whether you brought your own stein or purchased one on site ($10), you’ll have to buy drink vouchers. A full 1 liter stein will set you back $10 or you can shell out $5 for a .5 liter paper cup. All tickets come in $5 increments with food items ranging from $5 for sausages to $10 giant pretzels.

Multicolored lights flash red, green, blue and white around the perimeter of the tent adding to some great ambiance.

Occasionally, the band members walk down to the floor and start a train that stretches around the tent and on stage. Don’t be shy!

Surprisingly, the crowd is well mannered considering all the beer that’s served at the event. The crowd really gets into the beat of things later in the night. You’ll more than likely end up sitting at the table watching everyone else for the first liter of beer, but will soon find yourself running around like a mad man as you dance to funky German music. Songs range from the chicken dance to “Alice, Alice, Who the F*CK is Alice”. Not sure where that last song came from, but for some reason, everyone knew the chorus.

Throughout the night, this guy kept drinking it up. This was  number 6 and he probably ended the night with 8 or 9. I had 2.5 and woke up the next morning with a hangover so I don’t know how this guy could do it.

The band members really get into the event by hopping on to the tables with their instruments to get the crowd riled up. Lederhosen and instruments must be a chick magnet formula because the ladies were all over these guys like nerds on boothbabes.

There’re two big don’ts at this event. Stacking your cups and standing on the tables with the exception of girls who want to take pictures of the band members. I can understand the table rule, but what’s wrong with cups?! More than likely related to the clean up factor.

What’s an Oktoberfest without some sausages! This $5 Polish Sausage was actually quite tasty with a heap of sour kraut on top. It was probably the artery clogging goodness and drunk happy beer factor, but it definitely hit the spot. You can purchase the sausage + 1 condiment for $5 or sausage + 2 condiments for $10. Don’t bother with the later since you’re basically getting extra sour kraut for $5 more. Just get two sausages instead.

Remember that pretzel? Yes, that’s a big bitch! (Not friendly blond girl who offered to let me take a pic. Thank You!)

The bald guy behind us totally photobombed our pic, but I forgive him cause it kindda works.

I’ve never been to the authentic Oktoberfest in Germany, but the Alpine Village Oktoberfest will make due for now. The beer is great, the crowd is friendly and the band really seals the deal. You can end the night in two fashions. 1. Leave the party with a designated driver feeling good and wicked tipsy or 2. Passing out at a table as some jerk snaps a picture of you.  Either way, you probably had a blast that night. I’ve only been here twice, but it has quickly become a regular event for my circle of friends. Worth the drive and definitely worth the experience.