Medellin Oktoberfest 2022: A Piece of Germany in Colombia

Medellin Oktoberfest 2022: A Piece of Germany in Colombia

TLDR? This is an awesome space to get to know a little bit of Germany, its beer culture and more!

The Medellin Oktoberfest 2022 is the Colombian version of the German Oktoberfest, one of the most popular and most attended events in the world. 

At the Medellin Oktoberfest, you’ll have the opportunity to explore over 60 local breweries and taste 300 different craft beer brands. Amazing Beer tasting experiences, talks, games, live music, and local cuisine are just around the corner! 

So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets and get ready to taste your new favorite beer! 

A Brief History of Beer in Colombia

Brief History of Beer in Colombia

Fermented beverages have been part of Colombia’s history for a long time. Handcrafted with traditional ingredients, chicha and guarapo are two of the country’s flagship drinks.

These fermented beverages are based on the region’s traditional fruits and vegetables, such as yucca, pineapple, sugarcane, and corn.

The arrival of the first barley seeds in 1539 gave way to the first artisan breweries in the country, though at first there were only home brewers using rudimentary processes that produced low-quality beers. 

As production industrialized, larger producers such as Bavaria emerged in 1890, but Colombia has become one of the Latin American countries with the highest consumption of beer. 

You’ll hear many locals call the popular drink “pola.” This slang word comes from a Barvarian promotional campaign commemorating a century of Independence – Policarpa Salavarrieta o Pola was the heroine of this event! 

Nowadays, Colombia’s rich soil provides special characteristics to the barley crops, which many craft breweries have taken advantage of to create the exquisite flavors and aromas that have become the flagship of Colombian beer. 

About the Medellin Oktoberfest 2022

Medellin Oktoberfest 2022

The Medellin Okotberfest began in 2016, and has developed into an event true beer lovers look forward to every year. 

At the festival, you can become a professional taster for a day, and learn a ton about the history, production, and distribution of beer. Accompany your drink with live music, tasty dishes, and yummy snacks! 

This year, the festival takes place at the Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden. I recommend getting your tickets for the special event as soon as possible: the festival only takes place for a day, on October 1st. 

This event is an opportunity for small brands and brewers to become known in the city’s beer scene. 

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to check out some local music groups as well as other nationally and internationally recognized artists! 

How to Get There & Getting Your Tickets

How to Get There & Getting Your Tickets

Getting to the botanical garden is very simple. The fastest way to get there is by using the city’s public transport. Since you’ll be consuming alcohol, driving is not recommended. Stay responsible and order a taxi or use a rideshare app. 

To get there by metro, take route A, get off at the Prado Metro Station, then take a short walk to the Botanical Garden. As for the bus, 006, 262, 286, or 200. Just make sure to get the event a few hours in advance to secure a good place in line! 

You can buy your tickets from the ticket operator’s official website or you can go to the two payment points in the city.

  • La Toma Cervecera: Cll. 35 sur #43-36 Envigado
  • Barrica Cervecería: Cll. 9 #43b-22 El Poblado
  • Box office at the botanical garden on the day of the festival

Children under 12 years old and pets have free access to the festival, however, they can only be there until 5 pm.

Ticket prices depend on the date you buy the tickets, and include a welcome kit and the official glass you need for having your beer.

Website: https://latiquetera.com/evento/oktoberfest-artesanal-medellin

Address: Cl. 73 #51d-14, Aranjuez, Medellín, Antioquia

La Pola Dorada Contest

La Pola Dorada Contest

Make sure to catch the La Pola Dorada competition’s award show, where the best craft beers compete for the top prize. The IV version of the beer cup will be held from September 26th to October 1st. 

There’s still time to participate in the contest, and you can sign up for one of two options: 

  • Homebrewer: Anyone who produces beer for their own consumption and non-commercial purposes can try their brewing skills.
  • Breweries: Companies dedicated to the manufacture and sale of craft beer, which have facilities dedicated exclusively to its production.

The competition is supported by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) with the participation of national and international certified judges. Some of them are:

  • Hector Marroquin (Mexico)
  • Diego Catalano (Argentina)
  • Vicky Ponce (Argentina)
  • Juan David Palacio (Colombia)
  • Charlie Suarez (Colombia)
  • Leidy Rincon (Colombia)
  • Mery Escobar (Colombia)

Mercado Cervecero Hub

Mercado Cervecero Hub

The Mercado Cervecero Hub was designed for the Medellin Oktoberfest 2022 with the aim of enhancing marketing and distribution related to the Colombian brewing sector. 

It’s also aimed at creating networks between suppliers, customers, and consumers and distributing malts, hops, yeast, labels, prints, beer glasses, and much more. 

So if you have your own company or brewery at home, the MCH is your opportunity to get advice from masters in the subject able to guide you on the best materials, techniques, or ingredients. 

Some of the companies that will be promoting their products and giving brewing advice are:

  • Stanley
  • 3 Cordilleras
  • Prostbier
  • Adikos
  • Dispro
  • Angri
  • O-I Peldar
  • Discordoba
  • Solución Adhesiva

Beer & Green

Beer & Green

The organizers and sponsors of the Medellin Oktoberfest 2022 are committed to taking care of the planet and are promoting the use of glass cups in order to avoid plastic waste. 

The goal is to achieve sustainable cultural events that generate less possible impact from an environmental point of view in the city.

Main Activities

Main Activities

There are plenty of fun activities for audiences of all ages! Even if you’re not old enough to drink beer, you can still enjoy a family day, but keep in mind that activities other than beer tasting experiences and guided tours may have extra costs. 

Let’s talk about some of the activities at the Medellin Oktoberfest 2022! 

Beer Tasting Experiences

Activities such as beer tastings are included with the event, so you can always spend the day trying out different brands and premium beers. Special beer prices are $2.25 USD, and premium beers are $2.70 USD. 

Activities such as beer tasting experiences are free at the event, enjoy the day by trying different brands of special and premium beers of all kinds, special beer prices are $2.25 USD, and premium beers are $2.70 USD.

If you have your own brewery, are a homemade brewer, or consider your dishes to be perfect to accompany with a cold and sparkling beer and want to be part of the participants, you can register your brand and become known in the beer industry of Colombia.

Some of the most popular brands that will showcase their brewing expertise at the festival are:

  • 3 Cordilleras
  • Torre Alta
  • Tierra Alta
  • Statua Rota
  • Panzer
  • Pola del Club
  • Nefrona
  • Nevada Cerveceria
  • Mellos beer
  • Master beer
  • Lino 
  • Makkia
  • Hillerbrau
  • La Cima
  • Jack

Don’t forget to enjoy the experience responsibly and always accompany drinks with snacks and appetizers. Keep your festival official glass to have a taste of each type of drink! 

Concerts

Concerts

In the Medellin Oktoberfest 2022, there will be concerts and live music shows for all tastes: rap, rock, pop, reggae, blues, and soul, among other genres.

There will be three stages at the event, each with a different atmosphere suited to the genre of bands performing. 

To learn more about the artists performing and their schedules, check out the event’s social media pages. 

One band sure to play the festival is Alcolirykoz, a hip hop group from Medellin’s very own comuna 4. Their music is influenced by salsa, bolero, jazz, and even soul. 

Overall, this is a great way to experience some live music while delighting in Colombian craft beers! 

Workshops & Talks

Guiding tastings and talks are free but require prior registration to attend. Keep an eye on the social media accounts of participating brands where they will announce things like workshops. 

A few days before the festival, you can pay $35 for access to a masterclass, perfect for companies and home brewers looking to learn about new production techniques. 

This is an amazing learning space where face-to-face talks are held with the best beer purveyors in Latin America. The masterclass will be held on September 29th from 8am to 5pm at Selina Medellin & Cowork hotel located in the El Poblado neighborhood. And it includes lunch! 

Attend to meet some contest judges such as Diego Catalano, Vicky Pons, and Hector Marroquin. 

Games

Games

Each year, the festival holds different games such as beer yoga, beer pong, and foosball. 

Food Tour

You’ll want a full stomach if you’re going to make it through Oktoberfest without getting too dizzy (or too drunk!). Pick from a wide variety of food stalls for lunch, while you rest from the hustle of the festival. 

Tattoo Stall

Looking for a souvenir of your visit to Medellin Oktoberfest 2022? How about a permanent on your body? Stop by the festival tattoo stall and take advantage of some of the best tattoo parlors in Colombia. 

If you’re inspired by the stall, check out the tattoo culture of Medellin, and dare to get your own forever reminder of the city.

Beer Store & Merchandise

On the La Toma Cervecera website you can add extra items to enhance your festival experience, or purchase some of the event’s special beers. Here are some add-ons you can choose: 

Oktoberfest Merch

Oktoberfest Merch

From beer glassware, metal pins, hoodies, caps, and backpacks to growlers, Medellin Oktoberfest 2022 is the ideal place to find your party-beer partner.

Combos

Combos

Whether you want to preserve some of the festival’s craft beers, or just have a taste of each type of drink at lower prices, with the Oktoberfest combos you can try them all and have a nice souvenir after finishing the bottle.

If you’re not able to attend the festival, but still eager to taste some delicious artisan beer, you can order it from the website and get it delivered to your hotel or Airbnb anywhere in Colombia. 

Some of the varieties you’ll find are:

  • IPA (High Alcohol Content)
  • New
  • Awarded
  • Seasonal
  • Golden 
  • Stout
  • Amber 
  • Medellin

Unleash Your Love for Craft Beer

Experience the Medellin Oktoberfest 2022 festival, and enjoy the best brands and exotic types of beer with the best ingredients. This event is exactly what you need to celebrate autumn in Colombia!

You’ll surely find your favorite beer flavor and brand, so what are you waiting for?

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