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Summit Hotel offers its own take on Oktoberfest this weekend

Posted at 5:04 PM, Oct 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-15 19:46:23-04

CINCINNATI — The Coronavirus pandemic has forced organizers to put new twists on many traditional events in Cincinnati.

This weekend the Summit Hotel in Madisonville, in partnership with Taft's Brewing Co., is the latest place to offer a new way to celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati.

"What we've done is brought that traditional Downtown festival spirit atmosphere here to the Summit," said Martin Pittman, vice president of operations for The Summit Hotel.

The Summit Hotel will host four days of Oktoberfest fun beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The Summit can host up to 300 Oktoberfest fans within its 32,000-square-foot event facility, including the Overlook Kitchen and Bar.

"We have specifically sat our seating arrangements to maximize the physical distancing as well as the enjoyment and the number of guests that can come here," Pittman said.

For this weekend's Oktoberfest, the Overlook Kitchen and Bar's chef de cuisine, Matt Corina, also created a new menu that incorporates traditional Oktoberfest fare.

"A good amount of sauerkraut, mustard, cabbage," Corina said of his specialty menu. "I'm a huge fan of this type of food. And I want to allow the Overlook and Summit Hotel to be more a part of Cincinnati and the culture this city has."

One of Corina's Oktoberfest menu's centerpieces is a seven-ounce burger topped with beer cheese and bacon crumbles along with house pickles and house coleslaw on the bottom. The chef is serving the burger on a fresh pretzel bun.

On the beer side of things, Taft's Brewing Co.'s Oktoberfest will balance out Corina's menu.

"When they approached us about the idea of doing a socially distanced, safe Oktoberfest, we jumped at the opportunity," said Whit Hesser, the chief operating officer for Taft's Brewing Co. "We're looking forward to this weekend."

Beyond the food and the beer, the Summit's Oktoberfest will also feature games, food trucks and fun for all.

"It's a family event," Pittman said. "We have the Fowling Warehouse. We've got Honey Child Artisan Pops. So we have something for everyone."

Thursday's kickoff to the Summit's Oktoberfest is open to all, with no reservations required.

"And then ticketed events for Friday, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, as well as Sunday," he said. "And you get to pick your seat, guarantee your seat, as a ticketed event."

Learn more about the Summit Hotel's Oktoberfest by visiting www.thesummithotel.com.