Tips for a fun and safe Oktoberfest experience

Buy your tickets early

Free The Hops' Oktoberfest is likely to sell out so buy your tickets early to ensure that you can attend.

Bring cash

In an effort to curtail long beer lines, we will have tables set up for patrons to purchase "beer tickets" that will be redeemable at each beer stand. You might also want to buy a festival t-shirt or one of the many other items for sale. Bring cash as plastic won't be accepted. We will have an ATM on site for those of you who forget cash or run out. "Beer tickets" will not be available in advance of the festival.

Eat

Drinking on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. You should eat before and during the fest. A large carbohydrate-filled meal works best. Eating slows down the absorption of alcohol by your system and will help you avoid inebriation.

Designate a driver

With so many new beers to try, make sure you have a safe option for getting home. Bring a non-drinking friend to do the driving or plan on taking a taxi or other public transportation. All designated drivers get in free and can enjoy free food and drinks in the "Rojo Designated Drivers Cafe".

Drink responsibly

Don’t plan on buying every beer available, but rather pick some you’re interested in or have never tried before that you’d like to taste. Oktoberfest encourages responsible drinking and will refuse alcohol to individuals who are obviously intoxicated. For the safety of yourself and others, know your limit and refrain from overindulging.

Drink lots of water

Drinking alcohol dehydrates your body which can make you feel pretty bad. Drink lots of water to help detoxify and keep you hydrated. Oktoberfest will have water on hand, but it’s not a bad idea to bring your own refillable (non-glass) water container; this also cuts down on the amount of plastic going into our landfills.

Appreciate the beer you’re drinking

Take time to really taste each beer. Note the color, smell, and taste. Try to pick out the individual flavors in the beer. You might taste grapefruity bitterness or chocolatey sweetness or any number of other flavors. Pay attention to both the first flavor you taste as well as the aftertaste. Notice how one style differs from another in color, flavor, carbonation, texture. You might even want to write down the name of the beer and make notes so you’ll remember to buy it later. Respect beer.

Know your ABVs

With the signing into law of Free The Hops’ Gourmet Beer Bill, beers with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of greater than 6% are now legal in Alabama and will be available. Beers with a higher alcohol content should be consumed at a slower pace than those with lower alcohol content. Be sure you know the ABV of the beers you’re drinking so that you can take your time with them. If you’re not sure of a beer’s ABV, ask the pourer.

Be patient

Large events can get crowded. You will likely have to wait in lines to get some beers. Be patient and have fun.

Dress accordingly

Oktoberfest is a pretty causal event. You’ll want to wear comfortable clothing. Check the weather in advance and wear sunscreen and/or rain gear if the forecast calls for it.

Thank a volunteer

These folks work hard to help make the event a good time for everyone. Show them your appreciation.

Educate yourself

One of the best ways to have fun at Oktoberfest is learn in advance about the beers and beer styles you will be sampling. Whether you’re a novice or a card-carrying member of Free The Hops, there’s always more to learn about beer.