Mayor to kick off Oktoberfest bash

Her Honor will be at the keg. Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas kicks off its 18th annual Oktoberfest celebration with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman tapping the first keg at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9. The tapping by Goodman follows the tradition of the mayor of Munich tapping the first keg to launch the annual Oktoberfest in that city.

Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest runs through Oct. 31. Every Friday and Saturday during the event, a celebrity guest will tap the keg to inaugurate the festivities that evening. Among these tappers are the Chippendales, famed Vegas drag queens Larry Edwards (Hot Chocolate) and Roxy Brooks and former Golden Knight Deryk Engelland.

During Oktoberfest, folks can sample the same Oktoberfestbier served at the festival in Munich. The Oktoberfest menu offers daily specials to pair with Hofbräuhaus brews:

■ Monday: Biergulasch — Beef braised in goulash spices and dark beer.

■ Tuesday: Braumeister’s Schweinebraten — Pork roast with creamy Brussels sprouts and roasted Yukon potatoes.

■ Wednesday: Jägerhackbraten — German meatloaf topped with creamy mushroom sauce.

■ Thursday: Räucherplatte — Various smoked Bavarian meats and sausages.

■ Friday: Rouladen — Braised beef roll with bacon, onions and pickles.

■ Saturday: Schweinshaxe — Crisp pork shank.

■ Sunday: Schmankerl Tower — Bavarian meat or poultry specialties served in three tiers.