Occasionally an event hits Tacoma that’s simply perfect for this hard working, blue collar, dirt-under-the-fingernails and no-savings-account-to- speak-of town. Every once in a while, there’s an event that’s quintessential Tacoma — and when that happens it’s imperative Tacomans take note.

So, Tacoma, prepare to take note.

This Saturday, Oct. 4, Bob’s Java Jive will host the 3rd annual “Maltoberfest.” If “gritty” is the word we love to describe our town with — it doesn’t get much grittier than this.

What’s Maltoberfest, you ask?

Every year about this time Germans and fans of beer in general celebrate Oktoberfest — a multi-week festival designed to encourage the copious consumption of brew. According to the online version of the Encyclopedia Britannica, every year in Germany during Oktoberfest more than a million gallons of beer is consumed. Oktoberfest is said to have originated in the early 1800s.

Obviously, 200 years later, it was time for Tacoma to put its own spin on things.

Beer is good, but nothing alcoholic says Tacoma quite like big 40s full of Olde English 800. It’s a T-town staple. Before fancy schmancy wine bars and $30 steaks, Tacoma had malt liquor — and plenty of it. Maltoberfest, which started as a private party put together by Tacomans Craig Egan and Jen Orr, has now blossomed into a full scale public orgy of high-octane booze, German aesthetics and gangsta jewelry. For $15 at the door Saturday, you can drink as much malt liquor as you can stomach, not to mention dine on hot dogs and sauerkraut and see six eclectic bands do what they do best. Musically, John Walker and the Hitchhikers, the Drug Purse, Skitz-o, Swampy Draws, Big Noise, and 508 Disturbance are scheduled to provide the tunes.

“Previously it’s been a private event,” explains Egan of the decision to take Maltoberfest public.

“This year we decided to go big with it. The Jive just seemed like the natural place to go. Very few places in Tacoma would probably have been into the idea, but the people at the Jive were.” 

“We do it because it’s funny,” Egan explains.

Correct he is. I don’t pretend to be an expert on all things funny, but the idea of cross breeding a German bred beer festival with ghetto motifs and healthy quantities of malt liquor is hilarious and genius. The result Saturday seems destined to be both. Those headed to Maltoberfest at the Jive are encouraged to dress in costume — be it German, gangsta, or even better, a combination of both. Those who do dress in costume will get in the door for $5 cheaper.

And in case you’re wondering, yes — there will be OJ on hand for the making of “Brass Monkeys.”

Had you ever any doubt?

“People who are hearing about it for the first time seem really into the idea,” explains Egan. “It’s so Tacoma. It’s our once a year party for Tacoma.”

That said, Egan does have a bit of hesitancy in his voice.

“Fifteen dollars covers all your food and malt liquor, but I’m trying to be careful not to call it ‘all you can drink malt liquor.’ That could bring a crowd all its own,” says a laughing Egan. “I’m not sure I want people showing up like it’s a challenge.”

Whoever shows up — be it the Jive’s usual rabble-rousers or an unearthed throng of malt liquor loving hobos — it sounds as though the Jive and the organizers of Maltoberfest will have the situation covered. A load of 240 forties have been specially ordered for the occasion.

“We’ll have the bare necessities,” explains Egan, saying Maltoberfest partygoers can expect plenty of Old E, Mickey’s and 211 Steel Reserve to be on hand.

“The beauty of it is you can’t really drink that much malt liquor.”

Or can you? Maltoberfest aims to find out.

Bob’s Java Jive will host the third annual Maltoberfest celebration this Saturday, Oct 4. Of all the ideas Tacoma has ever spawned, this may just be one of the best. If nothing else, it’s certainly one of the funniest. Come get drunk on malt liquor Saturday night, and spend Sunday shaking off the effects.

It doesn’t get much more Tacoma than that. 

[Bob’s Java Jive, Saturday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m., $15, $10 with Maltober attire, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253. 475.9843]