OTTAWA — (Jun. 14, 2011) Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company will add an extra day of craft beer, local food, independent musicians and activities for adults and families this year to the Vankleek Hill Oktoberfest, taking place Fri., Sept. 30; Sat., Oct 1 and Sun., Oct. 2 this year. The annual event was a sold-out success last year on the Saturday, and hosted more than 7,000 fun-seeking visitors over the two days.

Vankeek Hill Oktoberfest is the signature fundraising event for Eastern Ontario’s own craft brewery, Beau’s All Natural. This year’s event, with a fundraising goal of $50,000, will benefit the Canadian Red Cross, Good Food Revolution, and additional community-building not-for profits. Last year’s Oktoberfest raised $30,000+ for Ottawa United Way and Canadian Organic Week, among others.

“Oktoberfest is the party of the year,” says Steve Beauchesne, Beau’s co-founder, “and the coolest part is, because of the charitable aspect you not only feel good about drinking great beer, it tastes better too!”

Building on the success of 2010, this year’s festival will again feature Ontario craft beer prominently. Seven different Beau’s beers will flow on tap, including 5 brewed exclusively for this festival. One-off cask ales from craft breweries across Ontario will be highlighted at Cask Days, put on by BarVolo from Toronto. The beer speakers series this year will feature World of Beer’s Stephen Beaumont, as well as other notable beer experts from Canada and around the globe.

The festival also tips a hat to indie musicians—evening lineups will feature (over 3 days) performances from Jim Bryson, Cuff the Duke, Lowest of the Low, Drag the River, Walter Ostanak, Terry Gilespie, and The Peelers. Traditional Bavarian music and dancing will be back during each of the days.

Also notable for 2011:

• CUISINE: Twenty local restaurants each day will offer up inspired Bavarian and seasonal creations
• KINDERFEST: A non-licensed family area with DooDoo the Clown, and activities that include a kids’ parade, giant castle-building area, 1000 pounds of playdough, and malt sack races
• CHALLENGES AND ACTIVITIES: The “Stein-Hold Struggle” will be added to popular activities that include a keg toss, spouse-carrying race, sausage-eating competition, and sauerkraut cook-off

Ticket details for 2011 Vankleek Hill Oktoberfest will be made available later this summer, however, for those looking to attend for free, organizers are looking to sign up more than 100 “Volun-beers” for this year’s event. Details for contests and competitions to win Oktoberfest tickets and Oktoberfest survival kits will be released soon. For more information, visit www.beaus.ca/oktoberfest or call the brewery.

BEAU’S All Natural Brewing Company is a small, family-run company. BEAU’S brews interesting, tasty beers using the highest quality, all natural ingredients such as certified organic malts and local spring water. A member of the Ontario Craft Brewers, BEAU’S is a recipient of numerous international awards for brewing excellence, most recently winner of a GOLD medal at Mondial de la Biere in Strasbourg, France, a GOLD medal at the Canadian Brewing Awards as well as “Best Craft Brewery in Ontario” and “Best Craft Beer in Ontario” at the 2010, 2009, 2008 & 2007 Golden Tap Awards. BEAU’S remains active in the community and local events, and is available at LCBO locations throughout Eastern Ontario, Kingston, Toronto and the G.T.A. BEAU's entire line of beer is certified organic by Pro-Cert Organic.

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For more information, please contact:
Lyndell Montgomery or Steve Beauchesne, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.

10 Terry Fox Drive, Vankleek Hill, ON K0B 1R0 http://www.beaus.ca Toll-free at 866-585-BEER, (613) 678-2799