By Margot Thomas

OKTOBERFEST,  the annual opportunity to let your hair down, feast German style and sup some of the world’s finest beers, begins in Munich and Panama on Saturday September 17.

If you haven’t got the time or fare to pop across the Atlantic, you can head over to  Calle 68 E, San Francisco.(off Calle 50) to  Rincon Aleman.

There you’ll find mein host Fritz Schmutte presiding over the start of a two week festival of hearty dining, entertainment, competitions with dozens of prizes, good company, and a specially imported Bavarian brewed Oktoberfest beer.

In fact  you'll even get to witness the tapping of the first barrel of Paulaner  Oktoberfest draft.

During the event there will be special dining and wining offers which I will outline  in a later column.

It all  ends on the German National Day, Monday October 3.

So loosen your belt and get ready for a European celebration right here at home.

[caption id="attachment_64163" align="alignright" width="300"] Roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut[/caption]

Dining specialties
Among the Bavarian specialties served at the expanded restaurant and   prepared by a newly imported Bavarian  chef you will find Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl (sausages) along with Brezen (pretzels), and  Knödel (potato or bread dumplings).

[caption id="attachment_64174" align="alignleft" width="300"] Join the lederhosen challenge[/caption]

On Saturday  the event gets off with the now traditional annual appearance of the  Chepo Bomberos big  band in the freshly upgraded biergarten, and a competition  with prizes for the best lederhosen (breeches with shoulder straps) and dirndl (the traditional Bavarian  women’s costume).

Fritz of course will set the pace and will be at the door in lederhosen, armed with a bierstein, to welcome you from 7.30 pm.

If you want to be sure of a table, its best to call.

There’s more to come over the next two weeks including the appearance of a Panamanian disc jockey who has made his name on the world stage.