Brother Trucker and Mr. Baber’s Neighbors are two El Bait Shop favorites that will be performing at Jamtoberfest Oct. 7-9, a celebration of fall brews and good tunes.

By Amber Williams

If you missed the madness at Oktoberfest, hosted by the Hessen House, or if you survived it and have since “regained your composure” and are ready for another celebration of fall nectar and live music, Full Court Press welcomes you to the Jamtoberfest debut coming to El Bait Shop.

“Oktoberfest is kind of a German-centric event, but there are a lot of American seasonal ales and microbrews that need to be celebrated, too,” said Jeff Bruning, partner with Full Court Press. “So we decided this would be a fun way to put those beers on special.”

For three days, Oct. 7-9, El Bait Shop will showcase not only its array of more than 100 beer varieties, but also some of Des Moines’ proudest entertainment acts. The event kicks off on Friday, Oct. 7, featuring Peace Tree and Boulevard beers and live music by Fruition and Mr. Baber’s Neighbors, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, lager lovers will salivate over Back Pocket and Summit varieties to loosen up for Party! Party!, the ultimate karaoke band, which will play from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

“Party! Party! are regulars at Hessen House. They have about 130 songs, and the crowd members are the lead singers,” Bruning said. “The band plays, and you sing — to the best of your abilities — while your friends watch and laugh, and everyone has a good time.”

Also “one of Des Moines’ most popular bands and an El Bait Shop regular,” Brother Trucker, will play on Sunday from 8 to 11 p.m., and the bar will highlight its Goose Island 312 and Harvest ales, Bruning said.

“All the music is different, all the way around, and the bands are some of the most fun and interesting acts in town,” Bruning said. “The beer is great, and these specials are available only for a short time.”

Although the Full Court Press team has experienced undeniable success with its Oktoberfest, Bruning admits, Jamtoberfest is more of an experiment in fun. The event will be held indoors, “just to play it safe,” but if it proves to draw a full house, they might consider bringing it back to the El Bait Shop’s outside bar and parking lot next year.

“It may be the last or the first of many more,” he said. “We’re just going to test the waters and see how it goes. It could be bigger in the future.”

If the past is used to measure Jamtoberfest’s potential, then it’s likely to sprout and grow faster than the hops and barely used to make the brews. At El Bait Shop, live music events are offered three nights a week on Sundays, Wednesdays and now on Tuesdays with “Tunesday,” a singer/songwriter event sponsored by Shiner Beers.

Check out folk music songwriter and performer, Ryne Doughty coming up on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. See an entire listing of beers, music and other events at El Bait Shop online at http://elbaitshop.com. CV