Cheers all round as Oktoberfest comes to Leeds

Matt Long is the organiser of this year’s Oktoberfest Leeds at The Tetley from 6-9 October this year.

Why do you think Oktoberfest has resonated so much as an event in the UK?

It’s a perfect way to sample authentic German culture at home. There aren’t many places that do beer better than in Germany, and it’s a more affordable way of enjoying it on home soil.

What kind of Bavarian food and drink will be available at the event?

Drinks-wise, we’ll have Erdinger on board, plus our very own haus bier and cider. There will also be wine and soft drinks available for those who don’t like beer!

On the food side of things we’ll have some Bavarian favourites such as pretzel, bratwurst, schnitzel and some vegetarian options too. We’ll be releasing the menu on our social media channels very soon, so keep an eye out for that.

Anything you are really looking forward to at the festival? Why did you think it would be a good event for Leeds?

We’re just really looking forward to the whole occasion. With thousands of people under one big tent, with the oompah band, it’s going to be an incredible atmosphere. Leeds has never really had an Oktoberfest on the scale of this, so it’s something entirely different in a city which just keeps getting better and better as the years go on.

The Tetley grounds are a perfect spot for the occasion, being an old brewery site. Plus, the lack of beer tent at the German markets in Leeds this year, gives everyone a chance to experience that still but on a larger scale this Winter.

How many people are you expecting?

Our capacity is 2,000 per event so over the whole weekend we’ll be welcoming in nigh on 10,000! Saturday night has almost sold out already and our other sessions are selling very quickly too.