A Mansfield pub is hoping to give visitors a taste of Bavaria at a special Oktoberfest next weekend to mark the first anniversary of its re-opening.

A unique selection of more than 30 different varieties of beer will be on offer at The Brown Cow, based on Ratcliffe Gate, including a range of specially source Bavarian beers. A number of local breweries will also feature in the festival, bringing with them their own interpretations of Munich-inspired brews including a Vanilla Wheat Porter and even a smoked beer, which will be available on a specially created festival bar the pub’s function room.

The free-to-attend festival will also see a variety of live music performances throughout the weekend. The entertainment will kick off on Saturday afternoon, when the Island Colliery Brass Band will recreate the sounds and feel-good factor associated with a traditional Oktoberfest Oompah band before friends of the Brown Cow – a range of local artists who perform regularly in pub during its open mic sessions – take to the stage. Saturday evening’s entertainment will reach a finale with rock and roll band Superbee bringing the first day’s proceedings to close.

Sunday afternoon’s line-up features Jim Carroll and local indie band Shanks Pony, while evening entertainment will feature popular seven piece Rhythm and blues band Axeminster Burnes and the Rug Cutters. Food will also be on offer throughout the weekend with craft pizza oven available on site offering tasty snacks featuring German inspired toppings.

The special anniversary event marks a significant milestone for the Brown Cow, which was acquired in 2013 by the Staveley-based Raw Brewing Company, who secured the premises from Everards under the company’s Project William initiative; designed to help revive the fortunes of revive the fortunes of struggling or failing pubs.

Following a £300,000 investment, the Brown Cow has been transformed into a real ale haven featuring twelve different types of beer on the bar at all times, many original features inside the pub were restored to their original glory and the pub has also paid tribute to one of Mansfield’s most famous sons, Robert Dodsley, who was born in a cottage which neighboured the original pub building.

Dodsley was an eighteenth century poet, playwright and publisher. During his lifetime he was responsible for publishing many of the works of Samuel Johnson and he even played a vital role in financing the publication of the very first English dictionary.

The anniversary event marks a miletone in the long history of the popular pub and David Hemstock, Managing Director, Raw Brewing Company said:

“Since taking on the Brown Cow last summer the changes we’ve made to the pub have been very well received by visitors of all ages. The free Oktoberfest event we are hosting is our way of thanking everyone who has supported us during our first year.

“Many people raised a few eyebrows when we discussed our plans for the Brown Cow but we recognised the pub offered a huge amount of potential; as a place to enjoy many different beer varieties, as a live music venue, and even as a destination to experience more unusual forms of entertainment such as stand-up comedy. Similarly, we also wanted to put Mansfield back on the map when it comes to celebrating locally produced beer.

“The success we’ve enjoyed during our first year is not only good news for Brown Cow, but we’ve noticed that many other pubs in the town centre have followed our example by either introducing or expanding their cask ale selections, creating a win-win for the town”