S3 E6 Après All Day | Vail's Oktoberfest

This Après All Day episode takes listeners straight into the heart of Vail’s 50th (or technically 55th) Oktoberfest celebration. Hosts Bob Cutler and Rich Stoner welcome special events manager Jeremy Gross to describe how the celebration connects the town’s Bavarian-inspired heritage to modern-day mountain culture. Then event producer Brian Nolan pulls back the curtain on what it takes to stage the event—42,000 pints of Stiegl, refrigerated trucks, and teams hauling -- and sometimes bowling -- kegs across town.

Key Topics

Bavarian Tradition Meets Rocky Mountain Culture

Vail’s Oktoberfest blends European heritage with Colorado mountain life, celebrating food, beer, and music while honoring the 10th Mountain Division veterans and Bavarian entrepreneurs who shaped the town.

The Scale and Logistics of Celebration

Behind the fun is serious planning: sourcing and moving 400 kegs of beer, designing commemorative Steins, and coordinating events for 55,000 visitors across two weekends.

A Year-Round Destination, Not Just Ski Season

Jeremy Gross highlights how Vail thrives in every season, with concerts, art festivals, and outdoor adventures ensuring Oktoberfest is just one of many reasons to visit.

(2:01) Mountain Mixer results: A.J. Anderson wins with a cocktail that evolves as its flavored ice melts.

(6:17) Jeremy Gross details Vail’s Oktoberfest—two weekends of music, food, Stein contests, and Bavarian traditions.

(10:57) The festival’s roots trace back to Vail’s founding by 10th Mountain Division veterans and Bavarian immigrants.

(16:01) Brian Nolan reveals the logistics—400 kegs of Stiegl, refrigerated trucks, and hauling 42,000 pints across town.

(22:04) Keg bowling and live music (including Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner) headline the can’t-miss festival attractions.