It’s always about the weather, isn’t it?
It’s why many of us live in Florida. It’s why so many visitors come here every year, to enjoy the beach and the golf courses and skip out on the snowstorms that pummel their hometowns.
It’s also why the good people of Munich, Germany, home of Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer and folk festival, which draws more than six million visitors annually and has spawned knockoff events in dozens of nations around the globe, moved the party, literally named for the month in which it was born, to September.
“The days are longer,” says Patrick Story, executive chef of Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, who recently returned from a double-dose trip to festivals in Erding, Germany and Salzburg, Austria. “You get more hours to party.”
“Plus, the weather’s generally better.”
This didn’t stop Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) from marrying his bride, Princess Therese, in Oktober of 1810. The citizens from the surrounding towns were all invited, prompting a party that lasted several days.
Traditional dress is encouraged at Oktoberfest, including the two at the German Society of Central Florida’s alpenstyle clubhouse. (Courtesy German Society of Central Florida)
“It was such a success,” Carol Rossel tells me, “that they wanted to have it every single year.”
Rossel is the president of the German Society of Central Florida, which has been holding its own Oktoberfest (two per October) since 1963.
“Around here, we’re pretty much the mothership,” she jokes.
Black forest cake is among the goodies you’ll find at the German Society of Central Florida’s Oktoberfest this year. (Courtesy German Society of Central Florida)
The difference between theirs and Munich’s, however, is that das mutterland moved its party to the milder month, not quite a hundred years into the beloved festival’s run.
Rossel doesn’t blame them.
“In this part of Europe in October, the weather’s not comfortable. They moved it so that it wasn’t snowy and miserable and cold … We don’t have that problem.”
And so, both the German Society and Hollerbach’s, along with a handful of other spots around town, are doing their part to keep the October in Oktoberfest.
Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in downtown Sanford. The adjacent Magnolia Square will be part of their Oktoberfest footprint on Oct. 17 and 18. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Erding’s party, called Herbsfest, hits in late September. Salzburg’s Rupertikirtag in August. Which meant Story had plenty of time for recon before Hollerbach’s, a free-to-attend street party taking place Oct. 17-18.
First up, though, is the German Society, whose first Oktoberfest hits its alpenstyle Casselberry clubhouse and grounds on Oct. 4, then closes out the month with another on Oct. 25.
Though many places appropriate Oktoberfest, says Rossel, “some don’t go beyond a beer and a brat.” Not so at the German Society’s event.
Competitors vie for the trophy during the German Society of Central Florida’s annual Oktoberfest. (Courtesy German Society of Central Florida)
“It’s like visiting Germany without getting on a plane,” she says. “The building is very Germanic looking and the vibe is like Munich’s: everybody’s there, together, to celebrate and enjoy a nice afternoon.”
A flag parade features the many flags of Germany. There are stein-holding contests for both men and women, wherein competitors showcase their shoulder strength to see who can hold a full one (roughly 5 pounds) before succumbing to gravity — and perhaps thirst.
There’s live music all day long, children’s events, cultural dance and German beer.
And then there’s the food.
“Everyone goes for the bratwurst because they’re the authentic German ones,” says Rossel. “And then we have the schnitzels, plain or the jägerschnitzel, covered in mushroom gravy. And everyone wants a strudel, because it’s delicious. I think this year we’ll have cherry, as well as apple.”
All the regions and towns around Germany have their own festivals, with different names and vibes, and even the most popular foods, says Story, though of course, there’s plenty of overlap.
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Hollerbach’s has been doing Oktoberfest for a couple of decades, beginning with a weekend soiree in connection with Sanford’s “Alive After 5” monthly street party, then moving to the Civic Center for a time before bringing the party back home.
They haven’t done it for the past two years, though, so the entire town, along with the restaurant’s widespread fanbase, is eagerly anticipating Oktoberfest’s return.
Theo Hollerbach with Oktoberfest dishes at Hollerbach’s German Restaurant. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
“We’re very excited to have it back downtown,” says Story, who loves having the party close to the restaurant, where the full menu will be available all day long. Outside, and in neighboring Magnolia Square, the food selection is more limited, but still as authentic as it gets.
“Pretzels, currywurst, bratwurst, fries,” he rattles off. “We’ll do kid-sized portions, too. And have lots of beer. The Magnolia Square Market’s right there, too, so you can always grab snacks.”
The restaurant, of course, is going to be slammed all day, both days.
“But if you want to get on the waitlist, you can go outside, get a snack, listen to music, have a beer and get paged when your table is ready.”
Pretzel with Obatzda cheese dip, and sweet mustard dip are among the Oktoberfest dishes at Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in downtown Sanford, on Sept. 17. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Hardly a consolation prize. The atmosphere, says Story, fresh off his European research mission, is decidedly German-style. As is the seating.
Tables are mostly for six, which means smaller parties will get seated alongside larger ones.
“A lot of people here aren’t used to that,” he notes, “but we’re glad we’re able to do the gemütlichkeit we’re able to do. It’s a sense of warmth and well-being when you’re enjoying food and drinks with your friends and family, especially at Hollerbach’s.”
The pretzels, he says, are his favorite.
“I ate so many pretzels over there,” he laughs. “And the obatzda cheese dip. Every brewery and bierhaus has its own recipe, and ours is right up there.”
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Hollerbach’s pretzels are from an old-school German bakery in South Florida that’s run by Argentines.
“They have incredible recipes, and we are the only place in Central Florida with these pretzels. They do it the old-fashioned way, like in Germany, dipping the pretzels in lye before they bake them, which gives them a different kind of crunch.”
Inside, it’s anything on the menu: schnitzels, sausages sides. The sample platters, big enough for four, are great go-tos. Outside, there’s plenty, too, including those pretzels and the popular currywurst, sliced up and served with curry ketchup.
Interestingly, Story says, some of Germany’s most popular offerings don’t go over as well here.
“Roast duck and pork shank are big. And the brathendl [roast chicken] is super popular. In Germany, it seemed like that was everyone’s favorite. We tried it a few times at Hollerbach’s, but it really flopped,” he laughs. “It’s unfortunate, because it’s so good.”
What’s on, though, as strong as ever, is Das Boot, a 2- or 3-liter pour that’s not allowed to touch the table ’til it’s empty.
Back in the day, Story says, owner Theo Hollerbach would call them out of the kitchen for competitions, and staffers would rep the house against customers who wanted to do a boot challenge.
Currywurst: two Weisswürste grilled, sliced, and served with curry ketchup, Brötchen and Pommes Frites, Oktoberfest dishes at Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in downtown Sanford, on Sept. 17. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
“If they lost, they had to pay for both boots,” Story says. But he doesn’t do those anymore.
You might catch him after-hours on Oct. 18, though. The restaurant closes at 10 p.m., but they’re planning a little dance party up in the restaurant’s Lodge.
“We used to do techno here after hours about 15 years ago,” he says, noting this throwback could become regular if folks show up. “I was younger then and could still hang out until 2 or 3 in the morning.”
This year, they plan to funnel the folks still going strong into the space for a dance party of sorts.
In Casselberry, the party goes from noon to 9 p.m. on both Oct. 4 and 25.
A smiling volunteer dons a dirndl at the German Society of Central Florida’s Oktoberfest. (Courtesy German Society of Central Florida)
Oktoberfest is the organization’s biggest fundraiser, keeping the lights (and even the roof!) on and allowing for good works in the community and educating everyone on the joys of the Germanic culture and even those beyond. In recent months, the German Society has hosted events showcasing the culture of Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Scotland and more.
“Ours is a place to gather, where everyone is welcome,” says Rossel. “No matter where you’re from, and especially on Oktoberfest, you’re German for the day.”
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
Brian Ulen, head problem-solver at Ten10 Brewing, strikes a pose with “The Hoff.” (Courtesy Ten10 Brewing Company)
Hoff-Toberfest & More
Ten10 Brewing owner Mike Wallace says he and the team are “fans of the Hoff.”
As in actor David Hasselhoff, whose music career (if you didn’t know, he has one) was booming for decades in both Austria and Germany.
“A former employee here, Anthony, was a big fan,” says Wallace. “He’d always be watching ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Knight Rider’ during his shifts. Then a regular brought in several Hoff records, and it just became a thing.”
A thing that eventually inspired Hofftoberfest, taking place this year from noon to 11 p.m. on Oct. 4, at their taproom/brewery, located at 1010 Virginia Drive in Orlando.
“This year,” says Wallace, “it’s bigger and better than ever. Planned shenanigans include German-style beers with a special guest firkin tapping at 2 p.m. and multiple housemade sausages, including ‘The Hoff.’”
He describes this as “a cheeseburger-hot dog hybrid that will leave you shirtless, on the floor and rambling about your family,” referencing an infamous video of a drunk, burger-eating Hasselhoff from several years back. (Pro-tip from me: Don’t miss the spent-grain pretzels and beer cheese, one of my favorites in the city.)
Traditional music in the form of a live brass quintet will be playing in the taproom from 2-5 p.m. and TVs will air both live cams from Munich, as well as Hoff-based reruns.
For more info, ten10brewingcompany.com.
Additional October Oktoberfests
Avalon Park Oktoberfest: Oct. 11; avalonparkorlando.com/play/community-festivals/oktoberfest
Celebration Town “Rock”Toberfest: Oct. 18-19; celebrationtowncenter.com/project/celebration-rocktoberfest-october-17th-and-18th-2025-celebration-town-center
Crooked Can Oktoberfest: Oct. 17-19; crookedcan.com/events/event/oktoberfest