Oktoberfest season is upon us whether you’re ready for it or not. Oktoberfest styles start getting released in August, and celebrations tend to follow in September. While not all Chicago breweries are hosting official Oktoberfest celebrations, there are many opportunities to celebrate the two-week festival that originated in Munich back in 1810. If you’re not able to make the trip to Germany, you have a lot of options right here in Chicago:
Great Central Brewing Oktoberfest
Details: Oktoberfest beers, food, games, and music at the taproom.
Date: Saturday, September 9th
Time: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: Free
Half Acre Oktoberfest
Details: Special beer menu, tasty festival foods, and limited edition merch. There will be a stein-holding contest, sausage toss, a live bluegrass band, and DJ sets.
Date: Saturday, September 16th
Time: 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: $5 General Admission, $25 VIP (includes 20oz souvenir mug filled with LagerTown and discounted refills)
District Brew Yards Oktoberfest
Details: A celebration of Oktoberfest, complete with a stein-holding competition at 4:00 p.m. and giant pretzels.
Date: Saturday, September 16th
Time: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Price: Free entry, $10 to participate in the stein-holding contest, which includes a stein to take home and 2L of Oktoberfest beer from DBY.
Off Color Brewing Keep the Stein Night
Details: Order a stein of Waddle Oktoberfest at Off Color Mousetrap and keep the final stein in the Waddle series, Tuba Mouse.
Date: Monday, September 18th
Time: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: Free
Brewer’s Triangle Oktoberfest
Details: Oktoberfest celebrations at all breweries within the Brewer’s Triangle including an Oktoberfest Extravaganza at Metropolitan Brewing, pig roast at Maplewood, and an outdoor Oktoberfest party at Ravinia Brewing Company.
Date: Saturday, September 23rd
Time: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Price: Free
Hopewell Oktoberfest
Details: A full day of Oktoberfest fun at the taproom. Stein specials, rotating Festbiers from guest breweries, and food from Tiny Fern Supper Club.
Date: Saturday, September 23rd
Time: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Price: Free
Spiteful Brewing Spitetoberfest
Details: Oktoberfest beers, brats, and keep the steins.
Date: Saturday, September 30th
Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Price: Free
Dovetail and Begyle’s 8th Anniversary Oktoberfestiversary
Details: Food trucks, live music, activities for all ages, and of course, beer!
Date: Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th
Time: Saturday, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, and Sunday, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Price: $5 suggested donation for Friendship Center Chicago
Prost!