Oktoberfest in the Amanas: It’s more than beer
Millstream Brewing is Iowa’s Oldest Brewery Post-Prohibition and brews the Amana Colonies Official Oktoberfest Brew. Photo courtesy of Millstream on Facebook.
On Oct 4, Iowa’s oldest Annual Bavarian-style Oktoberfest celebration will be kicking off in the heart of the Amana Colonies. There is no other celebration like it in the state of Iowa as the Amana Colonies (located just south and west of Cedar Rapids), is a unique cultural lesson in its very existence. The Community of True Inspiration made the Amanas their home in 1855. They practiced a fully communal lifestyle until 1932. Today, the community keeps the history and traditions alive by hosting celebrations throughout the year. Every October the three-day Oktoberfest event packed full of music, dancing, bratwursts and pretzels, and of course German beer in a massive bierkrug (beer mug) takes over the Amanas.
When the Amana Colonies were first settled in the 1800s they quickly established 5 breweries and numerous vineyards. With prohibition those breweries closed by 1884. It wasn’t until 1989 that the first post-prohibition brewery opened in Iowa, Millstream Brewing Co. As their brewery became successful, the owners decided to add an authentic German Bierhalle to the Amana Colonies. The Millstream Brau Haus opened in 2016 offering one of a kind specialty beers only available in the Amana Colonies. German-style pub food is also available here.
German-style pub food is available at the Brau Haus. Photo by M. Kellner
The Amana Heritage Society Museum maintains a group of museums that display and interpret artifacts from the 1700s to the present with a focus on the communal period of Amana (1855-1932). The historic society has its work cut out for them as they maintain a communal-era kitchen, cooper shop, blacksmith shop, church museum, research library, the working High Amana General Store, and the museum and bookstore making history available to the public.
The Amana Heritage Museum. Where you can find books, information, and is an audio tour stop. Photo by J. Hau
The Amana Community Church in Homestead is managed by the Amana Heritage Society. A recent maintenance overhaul has begun on the building. The church is also a stop on the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway Audio tour.
Historic map of the 7 Colonies of the Amanas.
The annual Oktoberfest parade happens Saturday morning at 10 am in Amana. The theme this year is “Famous Frauen,” to highlight amazing women. There will be plenty of activities for the kids to do at the Oktoberfest Kinderplatz (kids area) while the adults are having fun with competitions such as: the keg toss, log sawing, nagelhauen (nail driving), eisenmann (strength), brat eating, or the best yodeler competition! Download the official Oktoberfest brochure.
Parking will be limited so be sure to catch the shuttle!.
Kids activities are also available check out the official brochure at the link above.
.
The Festhalle Barn is a restored century-old dairy barn that was remodeled to function as an event venue. Annually, the Festhalle Barn hosts the main event of the Oktoberfest celebration and the Tannebaum Forest. It can be rented by the public as well.
While the official Oktoberfest activities happen at Festhalle Barn (admission charge), Millstream Brewing, Hotel Millright, and the Ox Yoke Inn have live music all weekend as well. Demonstrations such as chainsaw carving, chair caning, and tours of the Woolen Mill and the Amana Furniture and Clock Shop are other must-dos.
The interior of the Woolen Mill, historic photo.
The interior of the Woolen Mill today.
The Woolen Mill today has one working building. The other buildings on the complex have been repurposed as Hotel Millright.
The Woolen Mill is Iowa’s only remaining working woolen mill having been in operation since 1857. Although the original building eventually became Amana Refrigeration, the second 8-acre mill location along the Mill Race still makes and sells textiles although on a much smaller basis. The majority of the mill complex was remodeled and turned into the luxurious Hotel Millright in 2021.
The old Woolen Mill in Amana. Photographer is looking west. Photo courtesy of Amana Heritage Society.
View of the Woolen Mill (left) and Hotel Millright today. Photographer looking east along the Mill Race.
Electric Thread, the Indigo Room, and the Lobby to the Hotel Millright today. Remaining working Woolen Mill is on the left.
The 1923 addition to the Woolen Mill and other expansion buildings are now part of Hotel Millright.
Textiles were critical to Amana’s beginnings as was the Amana Furniture and Clock Shop.
Today’s The Furniture and Clock Shop remains a thriving busisness using century-old building methods that have been passed down since 1855. This historic workshop has a viewing gallery where you can learn more about handcrafting authentic Amana Furniture while watching the craftsmen work.
The Amana Furniture Shop still makes handcrafted furniture and Clocks today.
Over 200 mums were used to decorate Festhalle Barn for Oktoberfest. Stock photo.
The Chocolate Haus in central Amana.
Oktoberfest in the Amanas offers a variety of authentic German food from pork trotters, pretzels, and strudel crafted by German artisans to sweets at the The Chocolate Haus. So enjoy Oktoberfest in the Amana Colonies. Learn about the history and traditions and don’t forget to check out the Iowa Valley Audio Tour locations while you are in town (app to come soon)!
Bis bald on the byway!
