Belford Brewing Company Celebrates Oktoberfest With 10 th Annual ‘BELFTOBERFEST’ Celebration Thursday, September 28 Through Sunday, October 1.
It’s that time of year again as the Belford Brewing Company prepares to host the happiest four days of the year during the annual Oktoberfest celebration, aptly named ‘Belftoberfest.’ The four-day event will be held Thursday, September 28 through Sunday, October 1. The brewery is located at 84 Leonardville Road, Belford, NJ 07718.
Event hours are as follows: Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29, 5-10 pm; Saturday, September 30 12 Noon-8 pm; and Sunday, October 1, 1-6 pm. There is no admission fee for the event or any aspect of the event such as the music, games or competition.
Owners Kevin & Mike Enny noted this year is particularly joyous since it is the 10th anniversary of the celebration, which has evolved into a popular four-day event attended by guests hailing from throughout the tri-state area. A German-style showcase of seasonal beers, ‘Belftoberfest’ will feature a selection of 16+ ‘Jersey Fresh’ craft beers on tap and for take away including Belftoberfest Märzenbier, Hefeweizen Bavarian Wheat Ale, Dunkel Lager and Hund Altbier, just to name a few.
The regular menu of unique craft beers created by the brewery will also be available. To memorialize the 10th anniversary of the celebration, the brewery is selling a commemorative ‘Belftoberfest’ 20-ounce beer stein which includes the first fill of any of their beers for $20. Subsequent fills are $6 all weekend long with purchase of the stein.
In addition to the beer, there are plenty of activities to keep the crowds happy. German-style music from Thursday through Sunday will add to the already festive atmosphere. German bands Jingleheimer will perform on Friday night, and Lucky 5 Oktoberfest Band will perform on Saturday afternoon. Stein holding competitions will be held throughout the weekend with prizes awarded to the winners. Cornhole games will also be held behind the brewery.
On Saturday afternoon a special guest will tap a cask of a popular beer, and discounted pricing will be in effect. Local Belford eateries are also celebrating the Oktoberfest season by creating menus with a German twist. Food will be available for purchase at the eateries and is always welcome in the brewery tap rooms.
The telephone number for the Belford Brewing Company is (732) 769-7168. Regular non-event operating hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 5-8.00 p.m.; Saturdays from 2-6 p.m.; and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
The brewery is also available for special events, fundraisers and private parties. More information on the Belford Brewing Company and the full menu of beers is available on the website, www.belfordbrewing.com, and the brewery’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/belfordbrewingcompany.
About The Belford Brewing Company
The Belford Brewing Company operates a storefront location in the historic area known as Campbell’s Junction, a unique business district that was once a trolley transportation hub. Always family and pet-friendly, owners and brothers Mike and Kevin Enny are proud Belford natives.
The Belford Brewing Company is Middletown’s first brewery and opened on August 1, 2014, International Beer Day. Somewhat different from other breweries that traditionally do not maintain a storefront presence, both Mike and Kevin cited the historical roots of the community when starting the business. Everything right down to the names of the beers has a story and a special meaning.
The brewery offers 30+ different beer labels, which are rotated on a regular basis. All of the beers have historical and personal significance and refer to places that actually exist in Belford or have been part of the fabric of life. Crowweed Stout, Wares Creek Pale Ale, and Lobster Pot, while only a few examples of the full beer menu, are also the three beers the brewery was founded upon.
“Belford is our home, and there is a lot of history here,” noted Kevin. He added, “It was very important for us to open here in our hometown, to create a sense of community with a storefront that people in the neighborhood could walk to, and to pay tribute to the people, places and stories that have built this community.” Kevin explained that Belford has a long history as a fishing village, referring to the Belford Seaport and Belford Seafood Cooperative, and added that at one time, fishing was the main industry.
As a result, the brewery has a very rustic appearance with nautical décor and wood accents, which is reminiscent of the wooden planks used to build docks. Personal experiences from owners Mike and Kevin played a role when assigning names to the beers, like ‘Wet Side Pilsner,’ which denotes the side of Belford where the brothers grew up; ‘Juicy Shore NJIPA,’ which reflects their Jersey Shore roots; ‘Meadowview Cream Ale,’ a tribute to a local watering hole of yore; and ‘Pro Multis, a Belgian-style Tripel brewed in honor of the Trappists Order of Monks.
This nostalgic sense of place and casual family atmosphere, seasoned with barrels full of pride and humor, is something that these two brothers and beloved Belford sons plan on preserving, just like the special memories and beers that they brew along the way.