Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published October 12, 2007 Oktoberfest Going On At Deutsches Haus, Elsewhere Friday wass the annoversary of the original Oktoberfest. And this may be the final year for the long-running Oktoberfest at the Deutsches Haus, a century-plus-old German heritage organization. Their old building and patio on the corner of S. Galvez and Cleveland Avenue is in the way of the major new medical complex in the works for Mid-City--a desperately needed project for the city. So they're talking about perhaps movign the entire building somewhere else, or some other move to keep the organization alive. (Which it almost certainly will.) But those matters are on the back burner this weekend, and the next one, as Oktoberfest rolls out the barrel yet again. From five till midnight (or later) Friday and Saturday, they have live German music, crafts, a couple dozen German beers on tap, schnapps, and all the rest of it. And food, of course. It's cooked in a professional kitchen on premises by non-professional cooks, members of the organization--who do homestyle German cooking that varies a bit from day to day. It's not brilliant food, and it's very casually served. But it's inexpensive and has a lot og heart. Parking is easy around there: just pull up on the neutral ground if you can. Lots of cops in the neighborhood. There's a small admission. This is a very family-friendly event, especially earlier in the evening. The college crowd shows up later. Meanwhile, other celebrations of Oktoberfest--much more limited--are around. This weekend, the Heiner Brau brewery in downtown Covington is on from five till nine Friday evening, eleven till nine Saturday. This is a fine little artisan brewery, so the beer will be good. The food is being prepared by my friend and fellow Blue Jay Eddie Gaden, who owns the Beck 'n' Call cafe across the street. The brewery is underneath the old water tower near the new parish courthouses in the old part of Covington (226 East Lockwood, at the end of the Tammany Trace bike path). The Peppermill (3524 Severn Ave., 455-2266),has a few German items on its menu, although I can't figure ou tth German connection over there. And the Marigny Brasserie (640 Frenchmen, 945-4472) also offers a few German dishes, a memory of the days when a big Oktoberfest took place in Washington Square Park across the street. As always, there's not enough culinary celebration of our city's substantial German heritage. Maybe someday. © 2007 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com