Two Octoberfest Celebrations on Mercer Island This Weekend

New Alpenland owners Chris and Dianne Masaoka are celebrating the delicatessen's liquor license by hosting an "Oktoberfest" celebration on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

A special dinner menu will feature house favorites and seasonal specialties, including special Oktoberfest-style braided prezels. Discounts on imported German beer and wine, starting at $3 for a bottle of beer, will be available.

Co-owner Dianne Masaoka said Alpenland currently have about a dozen varieties of imported beer and wines, and six-packs of beer are available for retail sale/take-away. She said she hopes to eventually stock a wider variety of beers and wine from other regions of Europe (her husband Chris enjoys Alsatian wine from the French-German border) and express lunches — especially for local office workers and high school-aged students on the go.

Meanwhile, the Mercerwood Shore Club is hosting their annual Oktoberfest party with "Beer, Brats, Costumes and Friends!", according to an annoucement on its Facebook page. Children are invited to wear Halloween costumes for a "kid's parade". The adults can show off their German/Bavarian garb (and bring your beer stein).

Our menu will include: Brats, Hot Dogs, Sauerkraut, Potato salad, Apple Sauce, and a dessert. Lemonade and water are also being served. Dinner is $5 per person and a "Keg cup" is $5 for adults 21 years of age and older.

Those planning to attend are requested to RSVP with joy@mercerwood.com.