Photos: The 17th Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest brings beers and bratwurst to South Philly

The 17th South Street Oktoberfest, presented by Brauhaus Schmitz, brought glass steins, lederhosen and traditional German music and dancing to the 800 block of South Street this past Saturday. Thousands of Philadelphians gathered for the annual festival to enjoy bratwurst and beer.

Part of the inaugural South Street Fall Fest, the Oktoberfest began at noon and lasted until 8 p.m. In addition to a variety of beers on tap, Brauhaus Schmitz served various German specialties, including chicken schnitzel and curry wurst.

Around 2 p.m., the owner of Brauhaus Schmitz thanked everyone for coming out to the German restaurant’s Oktoberfest.

The United German Hungarians of Philadelphia and Vicinity dancers performed for crowds at the Oktoberfest on South Street. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)

“If you like free beer, I recommend you start working your way up to the front,” Doug Hager said to the crowd. “My godson Aidan is going to attempt his first keg-tapping.”

The little boy proceeded to hit the keg with a wooden mallet, opening the barrel of beer with an explosion of liquid and officially kicking off the fall festivities.

Heimat Klänge — “Homeland Sounds” in English — provided the musical entertainment at the event. The band played a variety of music, from classic German melodies to renditions of fan favorites like Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville” and John Denver’s “Country Roads.” In between musical breaks, the United German Hungarians of Philadelphia and Vicinity, performed for the crowd at Oktoberfest.

This event marks the start of the Oktoberfest season for Brauhaus Schmitz. The South Street restaurant crew will be heading to the 23rd Street Armory on Oct. 10-11 for the seventh annual, two-day Oktoberfest at the location. Tickets for the upcoming event can be found here.

Philadelphians donned lederhosen, celebrating Bavarian culture. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Thousands gathered on South Street for Brauhaus Schmitz’s 7th annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 27. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
A man wearing lederhosen serves beer. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Festival goers buy tokens for both food and drinks. One token can buy a 16 ounce beer or German specialties like curry wurst or chicken schnitzel. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Two women wearing lederhosen dance by a maypole set up in front of the stage. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Brauhaus Schmitz owner Doug Hager hands out free beers as the Heimat Klänge band plays on stage. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Festival attendees pose for a photo eating bratwursts. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Various platters are available for purchase, including a sausage platter consisting of two sausages, potato salad, and sauerkraut. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Brauhaus Schmitz employees served food at the event, including roast pork sandwiches. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
The uniform of one male dancers, reading “United German Hungarians Schuhplattlers.” (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Inside Brauhaus Schmitz, bartenders serve festival goers who would rather get a drink at the bar. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
A group poses with their stein glasses from the festival. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
Beers are handed out by the 8th Street entrance to the Oktoberfest. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)
A woman makes Bavarian flower crowns at a stand. The mirror’s reflection on the stand shows a server handing out beers. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)