On Oct. 6–7, The Shack on 8th transformed its outdoor beach oasis into a German village in celebration of all things Oktoberfest. The weekend event, appropriately dubbed Shacktoberfest, poured a myriad of craft brews and introduced guests to traditional, German-style eats.
Under the beer tent were taps from popular Virginia breweries including New Realm Brewing Company, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Bold Mariner Brewing Company, Smartmouth Brewing Co. and Stone Brewing. Virginia’s Bold Rock Hard Cider, Wicked Weed Brewing of Asheville, N.C. and Hofbrau’s Oktoberfest of Germany also made an appearance.
In true Shack fashion, signature crushes were being poured alongside special spirits guests Jagermeister and Rumple Minze. The German favorites were perfect accompaniments to the schnitzel, pretzels, German potato soup and homemade beer cheese prepared by The Shack’s Get Stuffed Taco Cart and partnering culinary teams from Waterman’s Surfside Grill and Chix Seaside Grille & Bar.
Festive tunes also rang through The Shack, putting everyone in the Oktoberfest spirit. Headlining Saturday’s main stage was The Happy Dutchmen, a German polka band from Busch Gardens’ Das Festhaus. Other local musicians and DJs also presented their unique setlists of German-inspired beats and top hits.
The Shack’s Marketing, Social Media and Project Manager Erika Seichrist says, “Our customers asked for a beer festival and we decided to deliver. Taking cues from the legendary Oktoberfest held in Munich, Germany, we handpicked a few select, amazing breweries from around Virginia and North Carolina to bring their craft to Shacktoberfest. [We] developed a fantastic menu of German offerings, too.”
Coming up next at the beloved beach bar is Salem at The Shack, a witch-themed Halloween bash taking place on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9 p.m.
Grace Silipigni
Grace Silipigni is an elementary school Spanish immersion teacher based in Virginia Beach and a regular contributor to Coastal Virginia Magazine, covering a wide range of topics such as health and wellness, education and learning, food and drink, happenings and events, travel and getaways and more.
