Going vegan is a popular dietary trend. Many people decide to eliminate meat and other animal products from the diet because they want to improve their health. Others make the switch for ethical reasons. Few people would associate vegan foods with beer but these non- animal products in fact go very well with fine craft brew and they have inspired a beer festival now in its third year. It’s the Vegan Oktoberfest, scheduled for Los Angeles on Saturday, October 15, 2016.
Vegan Oktoberfest is the first event of its kind and this year’s festival is going to be the best one yet as more than 3,000 beer lovers gather at LA Center Studios in downtown Los Angeles for an afternoon of great brew and vegan food. The festival will feature more than 50 varieties of beer and cider plus Oktoberfest foods creatively concocted without animal influences. Some of the best known vegan food restaurants in the Los Angeles area will serve at the Vegan Oktoberfest, offering non- meat alternatives to accommodate an otherwise traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere.
Oktoberfest celebrations are also about music and Vegan Oktoberfest 2016 is ready to entertain guests with tunes from such notable Oktoberfest bands as the Munich Boomsteiners plus classic tunes from Knyght Ryder, a Los Angeles cover band. There will be contests, too, with guests encouraged to sport their best Oktoberfest outfits and vie for a winning entry in the Best Costume, Best Yodeling, and Best Beer Stein Holding competitions. Vegan Oktoberfest founder David Edward Burke is thrilled at the rate of contest participation he witnessed last year and is proud that his event offers certified vegan foods so that no one has to give it a second thought when they decide to eat.
“Last year’s event kicked things up a notch. More people than ever were participating in contests, wearing costumes, and really getting into the spirit of Oktoberfest. We are looking forward to an even better event this year,” says Burke. “Vegan or not, this event has something for everyone. And for vegans and vegetarians, Vegan Oktoberfest is a special opportunity. Where else can a vegan or vegetarian experience a traditional celebration while being able to eat every item on the menu,” he added.
Tickets to the Vegan Oktoberfest sell for $20 (designated driver), $45 (General Admission), or $65 (VIP). Each General Admission or VIP ticket comes complete with a complimentary beer stein and unlimited beer samples. The festival is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with 12 p.m. admission for VIP. Purchase tickets during the Early Bird period, which runs from now through August 24, 2016, and each of the three ticket prices will be reduced by $5. Tickets must be purchased through the web site at http://www.veganoktoberfest.com/. And like past years, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Expand Animal Rights Now, a non- profit organization that works to improve and expand the quality of life for all of the earth’s creatures.
Vegan food isn’t normally associated with Oktoberfest celebrations, but the Vegan Oktoberfest has proven that beer is a versatile beverage capable of accommodating many types of cuisine. It’s a fun and often inspiring event so follow the link above, purchase your tickets, and have a blast at this year’s Vegan Oktoberfest in downtown L.A.
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