While Mert Evans, back left, and Jerry Beauchamp, center, of the Jerry Beauchamp Band pumped out polka tunes on The Dig Inn’s back patio last Saturday, Becktoberfest attendees took to the dance floor including Connie and Craig Klinefelter (far right). The Klinefelters are the parents of Trevor Schellhorn who previously owned The Dig Inn’s building where he operated the microbrewery Broad Street Brewing. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

REINBECK – There was very little room at The Dig Inn last Saturday during the bar/record store’s third annual Becktoberfest celebration and for good reason – the event got back to its merrymaking, beer-drinking, polka roots.

While no bands played along Broad Street this year, Jerry Beauchamp and Mert Evans of the Jerry Beauchamp Band filled The Dig Inn’s back patio space with polka tunes most of the day. Between polka sets, Brian Pals – DJ Pals – filled in.

Bartenders, including The Dig Inn owners Ben and Holly Robertson, served up more than 15 different Oktoberfest beers to folks as the band jammed.

For those needing a brat – or even a taco or gyro – a food truck parked out front on Broad Street served delicious fare.

Oktoberfest – from which Beckotberfest takes its inspiration – began in 1810 in honor of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria’s marriage. The festival is celebrated annually beginning in late September through the first Sunday in October in the city of Munich.

The Dig Inn’s Beckotberfest 3 bartenders – Carrie, Haley, and Holly – smile for a group photo last Saturday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

If you missed this year’s Becktoberfest — or missed the plane to Germany! — there’s still plenty of Oktoberfest beer available at The Dig Inn. And since there’s no beer in heaven, it seems only wise to drink it here.

Prost!

Reinbeck’s The Dig Inn was the place to be last Saturday as the establishment celebrated its third annual Becktoberfest. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Dig Inn’s Ben Robertson – sporting some spiffy lederhosen – pictured on the back patio of his downtown Reinbeck establishment last Saturday while hosting Becktoberfest for the third year running. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Mert Evans, left, and Jerry Beauchamp of the Jerry Beauchamp Band which hails from nearby Eldora perform on The Dig Inn’s back patio as part of Becktoberfest 3 last Saureday in downtown Reinbeck. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A pair of dancers enjoy a polka courtesy of the Jerry Beauchamp Band on The Dig Inn’s back patio last Saturday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Mert Evans, one half of the Jerry Beauchamp Band, performs on the accordion as part of Becktoberfest 3 held in downtown Reinbeck last Saturday at The Dig Inn. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER