It doesn’t seem all that long ago that the words ‘Oktoberfest’ and ‘Piss-poor-excuse-to-get-well-and-truly-lagered-jah!?’ were virtually interchangeable. These faux Deutsche events (in Melbourne anyway) tended to be held in large soulless halls which bore no resemblance to anything vaguely cultural and, while the air was filled with the smells of German sausage, it was the rivers of cheap lager that that drew the crowds.

Thankfully today we have more and varied and authentic events under the Oktoberfest banner. From Beechworth in Victoria’s north east and at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula through to The Local Taphouse in St Kilda and The Junction Beer Hall across the Westgate Bridge there is no shortage of quality, well presented offerings with which to get one’s oom-pah on.

If you are looking for something authentic, fun and less than an hour and a half from Melbourne, head down to the Odyssey Tavern and Bar as they celebrate their first Oktoberfest. Along with the authentic food and dress, traditional German brass band spot prizes and German games, punters will get to taste the latest brew made under the Odyssey Tavern Brewery label, the appropriately named Zwei Barten Munchen Helles Festbier. Just being able to ask for one by name will prove you are under the .05 limit.

A pre-party will be held on Friday October 11 with the fest-proper kicking off on Saturday and continuing on Sunday. For those who have not yet visited, this might be the perfect excuse for a quick trip down the Princes Freeway.