Oktober Velay Fest - Beer Festival

Oktober Velay Fest: Bavaria Comes to Haute-Loire

Since 2019, the Velay Football Club has organized its now traditional Beer Festival every autumn at the Halle du Chomeil in Saint-Paulien, near Le Puy-en-Velay. Renamed Oktober Velay Fest, this festive event is directly inspired by the famous Munich Oktoberfest to offer a colorful evening, combining beer tasting, generous gastronomy, and musical entertainment.

Eight Beers to Discover

Each edition offers a selection of eight carefully chosen beers, mixing classics and artisanal discoveries. During the first edition, seven beers were offered, including Bourgogne des Flandres (Belgium), Smithwick's (Ireland), Kriek Rouge (Belgium), Vellavia (local beer from Haute-Loire), Paulaner (Germany), Guinness (Ireland), and Benediktiner (Germany). Over the editions, the menu has expanded with craft beers and two "best of" favorites chosen by the public, such as Timmermans Kriek and Bourgogne des Flandres, complemented by six new references each year.

A Bavarian Feast and More

Food is a central part of the Oktober Velay Fest. Visitors can enjoy sauerkraut, burgers, charcuterie boards, crepes, pretzels, pulled pork, fries, pizzas, and flamekuches. A Beercoins system simplifies on-site purchases, for both drinks and food.

Entertainment and Festive Atmosphere

The musical atmosphere is provided by the Band'a Vorey (or Banda Vorey'V), an iconic local brass band that heats up the Halle du Chomeil from opening, followed by a DJ playing hits from the 80s to 2000s until the end of the night. Beer pong tournaments spice up the evening, while the Bavarian-themed decoration — Tyrolean hats, dirndls, and checkered shirts — encourages participants to join in the costume fun.

A Community Event Supported by the Club

The Oktober Velay Fest is more than just a party: it's a collective project involving nearly 60 players and 30 officials from the Velay Football Club. The generated profits — estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 euros per edition — directly contribute to the club's operations, equipment financing, and local sports life. The event also benefits from a road safety initiative at the exit, with the distribution of non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers.

A Resounding Success

The first edition in 2019 had already exceeded all expectations with 1,800 participants, while organizers had anticipated 1,000 to 1,500 people. In just a few years, the Oktober Velay Fest has surpassed the 3,000 visitor mark, establishing itself as one of the major autumn events in Haute-Loire. No less than 110 kegs were emptied on the very first night, along with 420 servings of sauerkraut, 287 burgers, 120 charcuterie boards, and 300 crepes.