Crooked Hammock Brewery Announces the Return of Crooktoberfest, a Month-long Ode to Germany with a Backyard Cookout Twist

Lewes, DE - August 21, 2024 – Crooked Hammock Brewery is proud to announce the return of their twisted Bavarian bacchanalia known as Crooktoberfest, a month-long celebration running from Friday, September 6 through Sunday, October 6. Back by popular demand, the seriously unserious symphony of food and drink will push the boundaries of what is possible when Germans plan the backyard cookout.

• Crooktoberfest officially begins on Saturday, September 7 with our epic stein-holding competition and VIP Festmaster toast at 5 p.m. at our two distinctly Delaware brewpubs in Lewes and Middletown. When the doors opened on Crooked Hammock’s first brewpub in 2015, the top priority was to create an environment of unabashed fun while instinctively connecting with guests with delicious house-made beer, next level cookout menu and interactive experiences. This is the pinnacle.

Dressed in irreverent regalia, owner Rich Garrahan will anoint a dedicated Festmaster (TBD at Lewes and Middletown) who will ceremonially tap the first Party Barrel and start the clock on an epic stein-holding competition. In addition, Crooktoberfest will keep things interesting every day, including live German music and fun, outside-the-box events:

·    Keg Squatting: Saturday, September 21

·    Pretzel Toss: Saturday, October 5

·    Kinder Craft Table: every day for the kids

·    Live Music: different bands on every Friday and Saturday from 5-8 p.m. 

Chef Ted Deptula — Crooked Hammock’s fearless Director of Culinary Operations — has been hard at work in the food lab (aka in the backyard at the grill), testing and researching German-inspired recipes, for a special Crooktoberfest menu that shows off his dialed-in culinary chops and flair for enlivening classic dishes.

His thoughtful menu thinks outside traditional borders, instead of just repurposing beer-soaked brats and potato salad. Featured items will include:

?   Das Schnitzel, thinly pounded pork cutlet breaded with panko and paprikash seasoning and fried to perfection.

?   Bier Me Burger, 7-ounce signature blend burger on a pretzel bun with arcadian lettuce, garlic mayo, bacon, IPA beer cheese sauce, and onion rings.

?   Porktoberfest, sliced 8-ounce grilled pork tenderloin on a bed of pan mustard apple and brussels sprout hash, topped with Jaeger wild mushroom sauce.

?   Caramel Apple Strudel Sundae: vanilla ice cream with caramelized apples, cinnamon streusel topping, caramel sauce, stroopwafel pieces, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar.

The Crooktoberfest menu was created to pair perfectly alongside two classic German beers tanked by Brewmaster Larry Horwitz. Our Crooktoberfest Märzen is best consumed fresh, from the source, in a brimming stein being held whilst a brass band blares festive tunes. It rings in at 5.6% ABV, amber in color, and deliciously drinkable. In addition, the taps will feature WunderPumpkin, a pumpkin festbier brewed with the same traditional marzen base as Crooktoberfest with a light pumpkin kiss. Both beers will be available on draft in branded 22.4-ounce steins for $17.25, with refreshing refills available throughout the festival at the cost of a regular pint.

About Crooked Hammock … With three brewpub locations across the United States including Lewes and Middletown, Delaware and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Crooked Hammock Brewery brews easy-drinking craft beer for its never-ending cookout in their festive backyard atmosphere.