Strap on your lederhosen and polka your way down to the Concord Co-op for the fourth annual Octoberfest tasting of soup and stews, local and craft brews, bratwurst and fresh-baked bread Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Concord Co-op's Celery Stick Cafe chefs will whip up more than 25 of their customers' favorite soups, stews and chili for the event. These satisfying soups, as well as the fresh-baked bread, are made from scratch with all-natural ingredients. Vegetarians and carnivores alike will enjoy the variety, which includes such delights as lobster stew, smoked trout and corn chowder, autumn bisque, chicken lemongrass, black bean, sweet potato leek, charred tomato and roasted red pepper, strawberry soup and the Cafe's famous chocolate soup.
There will be several types of all-natural sausage and bratwurst on the grill. The Co-op's Celery Stick Bakery pastry chefs will bake and serve warm pumpernickel bread, beer cheddar bread, and pretzel rolls to accompany the soups. New this year, Executive Chef Mike Cook has acquired an authentic five-gallon fermenting pot to make homemade live sauerkraut to accompany the bratwurst.
“I had to translate the recipe from German,” he says.
There is a $7 charge at the door for non-Co-op members to take part in the soup, brat, and bread tasting. It's free for members and children age 12 and younger. All money raised will be donated to the Concord Boys & Girls Club. Get there early: A limited quantity of complimentary custom beer glasses will be available to attendees.
Everyone is invited to listen to live polka music from the Ed Chenoweth Alpiner Band, sip and munch on delicious samples.
Alongside the event, a wide variety of beer will be available to sample for free, many brewed right in New England. Selected imports will also be sampled. Brew experts from the Capital Area Homebrewers will be on hand to answer your beer questions and suggest beer and food pairings.
No reservations are necessary. Free parking is available on the street and in the nearby Capital Commons Parking Garage. Visit concordfoodcoop.coop for directions and details.
