Center of the Universe Brewery honors Oktoberfest with annual Das Bier Run on 9/12-13

by | Sep 2, 2015 | EAT DRINK

Summer is winding down once again in Richmond…

Summer is winding down once again in Richmond… Back-to-school sales have commenced, Pumpkin-flavored everything is starting to sprout up in stores, and (already!) Halloween merchandise is popping up.

But this time of year also means the beginning of something else for RVA: Oktoberfests!

Of the many events scheduled in the city, one of the first is the Ashland Brewery Center of the Universe‘s Oktoberfest and Das Bier Run!

Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, The second-annual event will feature German beers served in liter steins, and plenty of classic Oktoberfest fair including bratwursts, strudel, and pretzels.

While your friend’s, family (and your leashed dogs too!) are eating, you can enjoy live music from 12-piece German band The Sauerkrauts.

Along with the classic festivities is the return of the brewery’s “Das Bier Run!” – COTU has once again joined forces with the Richmond Road Runners Club to host the run a four-person team 1-mile relay, scheduled for 3:30 pm.

Each team member will run (or walk or jog) a 1-mile loop in the airpark that goes right up by the brewery.

“When we first came up with this, we just thought it would be fun to do something kind of different than your standard 5k,” Says Chris Ray, co-founder of Center of the Universe.” “We had about 350 runners last year, so we’re excited to bring it back this year,”

Those who sign up for the race will get a t-shirt and glass stein to keep, and proceeds will be donated to charities selected by the Richmond Road Runners Club. Teams can win one of four prizes: first place all male, first place all female, first place co-ed, or an award for best-dressed team. Said Ray,” We had everything from Superheroes to sombreros last year,” so the crazier the better!

It could not be stressed enough that the run is all about fun. “So all you have to do is run a mile, essentially,” Ray says. “You can go out there, run your mile, and then come over and grab a liter, enjoy the music and have a couple bratwursts.” I know where I’ll be come September 12th!

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




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