OKTOBERFEST IN AUSTIN: WHERE TO CELEBRATE WITH BEER AND BRATS
Oktoberfest, the German celebration of the fall and beer, is here, and there’s no need to travel far to find pretzels, sausage, and, of course, beer. Austin is going all out for beer-filled celebrations, running from Saturday, September 21 through Sunday, October 6. Arm with steins of beers, bratwurst, and pretzels for brewery parties, beer garden shindigs, and lots of different types of beers.
With that, here are Austin’s best Oktoberfest events, with a few running earlier or later than the typical festival timetable. And then Eater also highlighted Oktoberfest beers at local breweries below that.
Events
Saturday, September 14
- Hi Sign Brewing: The brewery’s Oktoberfest includes its Oktoberfest beer, pretzels, stein-hoisting competitions, and live polka music. It runs from noon to 6 p.m. There are free RSVPs; there are also special stein + beer pours available for advance purchase (730 Shady Lane, East Austin)
- Oddwood Brewing, Redbud Ice House, and Batch: The brewery, casual bar and restaurant, and kolache shop-slash-brewery are joining up to host the Blocktoberfest, a multi-venue Oktoberfest party with beers from Oddwood, foods from Egyptian Texan truck KG BBQ, pretzels and brats, yodeling contests, stein-hoisting competitions, DJs, live music, hammerschlagen, and much more. It begins at noon and runs until late in the night. (Manor Road, MLK)
Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22
- Live Oak Brewing Company: The longtime brewery’s Oktoberfest three-day celebration includes beers (including its Oaktoberfest beer, see below), stein-hoisting competitions, food trucks (German truck Black Forest, Wild Texas Tour, Show Me Pizza, and Texas Drip BBQ), live music, college football games, and a polka band. It runs from noon to 10 p.m. (1615 Crozier Lane, Southeast Austin)
Saturday, September 21
- Vista Brewing: The Hill Country brewery’s Oktoberfest family-friendly fete includes German beers (see below), German food, games (yes, stein-hoisting contests and hammerschlagen, where the winner is the person who can hammer the most nails into a piece of wood), pretzel necklaces, and wearing lederhosen is encouraged. Free RSVPs are encouraged, and it’s $10 to enter the stein-hoisting competition and $20 to get the exclusive mug with $2 off beer refills. It runs from noon to 7 p.m. (13551 Farm to Market Road 150 West, Driftwood)
- Fast Friends Beer Co.: The South Austin brewery’s Oktoberfest party this year will include beer and live music, running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (7313 North I-35 Frontage Road, St. Johns)
- Black Sheep Lodge: The sports bar is hosting its Oktoberfest party with expected beers, bratwurst, pretzels, and a stein-holding contest. It runs from 2 to 6 p.m. (2108 South Lamar Boulevard, South Austin)
- Whitestone Brewery: The brewery’s Oktoberfest event includes beers, polka music, stein-hoisting competitions, and a market. It runs from noon to 6 p.m. (601 East Whitestone Boulevard, Suite 500, Cedar Park)
Thursday, September 26 through Saturday, September 28
- Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden: The beer garden/bar/restaurant’s massive multi-day Oktoberfest festivities include German foods, lots of Oktoberfest beers, live music, the tapping of the firkin, stein-hoisting competitions, and log hammering games. (79 Rainey Street, Downtown)
Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29
- Meanwhile Brewing Co.: The South Austin brewery’s Oktoberfest celebration is a long weekend affair. Expect Oktoberfest beers, food specials from its on-site trucks (Distant Relatives will offer chaurice sausages with a fennel remoulade on poppy seed buns; Side Eye is making a bratwurst-sauerkraut=mustard cream sauce-fontina cheese pizza; Besame with pretzel-y ice cream with chocolate, miso-caramel, and pretzel toffee; among others); stein-hoisting competitions; pretzel tosses; live music; and more. It starts at 8 a.m. on Friday, and then at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are free RSVPs online for each day: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (3901 Promontory Point Drive, McKinney)
Friday, September 27 through Sunday, October 6
- Lazarus Brewing Co.: The Austin brewery with two locations (East Austin, North Loop) will be hosting a very long Oktoberfest celebration, with details to come later. (1902 East Sixth Street, East Austin; 4803 Airport Boulevard, North Loop)
Saturday, September 28
- Real Ale Brewing Company: The Blanco brewery’s Oktoberfest festivities will include Oktoberfest beers (see below), food, music, steins, hammerschlagen, dog costume contests, face-painting for kids, and more. It runs from noon to 6 p.m. (231 San Saba Court, Blanco)
- Haymaker: The sports bar’s party is similar to sibling bar Black Sheep: beers, bratwurst, pretzels, a stein-holding contest, and the hammerschlagen game. It takes place on Saturday, September 23 starting at 2 p.m. (2310 Manor Road, Cherrywood)
- St. Elmo Brewing Company: For Oktoberfest, the St. Elmo-area brewery will host a party with details to come later. (440 East Saint Elmo Road, East Congress)
Saturday, October 5
- Scholz Garten: The historic beer garden is hosting its Austoberfest with sausages and beer samples, stein-hoisting contests, polka dancing, and more. Tickets are $25 and it runs from noon to 10 p.m. (1607 San Jacinto Boulevard Austin, Downtown)
Beer
listed alphabetically by brewery
- Austin Beerworks: The brewery will be offering its Oktoberfest beer — the Montecore Oktoberfest — in September. It’s made with what the company describes as floral German hops. It will be available in draft and cans, and to-go orders can be placed online. (3001 Industrial Terrace, North Austin)
- Blue Owl Brewing: The sour brewery’s Oktoberfest beer — Bobtoberfest — will be available in the fall. The classic marzen is available in cans or on tap. The beer is a classic marzen. (2108 South Lamar Boulevard, South Austin)
- Frontyard Brewing: The Spicewood brewery brews up a less-maltier Oktoberfest for the season. It’s available on tap. (4514 Bob Wire Road, Spicewood)
- Hi Sign Brewing: Look out for the brewery’s Oktoberfest beer, the Oktober Festbier, when it’s available. (730 Shady Lane, East Austin)
- Lazarus Brewing Co.: Look out for the Austin brewery’s Oktoberfest beer, the Katies Pride, named after Katharina Von Bora who was a nun-turned-brewer, a marzen. (1902 East Sixth Street, East Austin; 4803 Airport Boulevard, North Loop)
- Live Oak Brewing Company: The longtime brewery’s annual Oktoberfest beer is the Oaktoberfest, available in draft and cans starting in the fall. To-go orders can be placed online. (1615 Crozier Lane, Southeast Austin)
- Meanwhile Brewing Co.: The South Austin brewery will brew up its Oktoberfest Festbier, available in draft and cans. There’s also a special ceramic stein available for purchase. (3901 Promontory Point Drive, McKinney)
- Real Ale Brewing Company The Blanco brewery will be brewing up its annual seasonal Oktoberfest beer. It will be available in draft and bottles. (231 San Saba Court, Blanco)
- St. Elmo Brewing Company: The St. Elmo-area brewery is brewing up its marzen-style Schlagen Oktoberfest beer, available on tap and in cans. (440 East Saint Elmo Road, East Congress)
- Vista Brewing: The Hill Country brewery’s Oktoberfest beer is the Mighty Märzen, made in collaboration with San Antonio brewery Künstler Brewing. The beer will be available on tap. (13551 Farm to Market Road 150 West, Driftwood)
- Whitestone Brewery: The brewery’s Oktoberfest beer is Opa’s Lederhosen, seasonally typically in late summer into early fall. It’s available right now on tap, in cans, and for to-go orders. (601 East Whitestone Boulevard, Suite 500, Cedar Park)
- Zilker Brewing Co.: The brewery’s Oktoberfest brew is the Wunderbier, available by cans and to-go orders. (1701 East Sixth Street, East Austin)