September is upon us, and it’s about time to raise an overflowing bier stein to German-style lagers, platters of bratwurst and seconds, thirds and fourth helpings of all of the above. Oktoberfest season is one of our favorite things, and if you haven’t already indulged on your favorite seasonal beers at your area’s glorified fall block party, here’s your chance.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Oktoberfests, plus a few seasonal fest beer releases to get you stoked for celebration (all from featured fest breweries).
1) Fremont Oktoberfest: Kick off bier fest season at one of the top 10 events to celebrate Oktoberfest in the world! Seattle’s Fremont Oktoberfest has earned its accolades, boasting a lineup of more than 50 local and nationwide craft breweries (and cideries). This year, fill your mug, stein or boot with more than 100 seasonal and German-style microbrews. Traditional German fare and other local vendor favorites will be on hand to wash down excess brat consumption with suds, as well as plenty of special events on the sidelines (zucchini racing, a 5k beer run, the annual Miss Buxom contest and more).
September 19-21 || Seattle, WA || Tickets
Prep with: Fremont Brewing Harvest Ale and Ninkasi Brewing Co. Oktoberfest Festbier Lager
2) Steam Whistle Oktoberfest: Come decked out in your best costume contest eveningwear, and be sure to leave plenty of belt room to fill up on traditional Bavarian fare. Find British Columbia’s finest in German heritage here with folk music by The Rheinlander Oom-pah Band and entertainment by the AVC Edelweiss Dancers from the Austria Vancouver Club in Richmond, BC. Slurp Steam Whistle’s flagship Pilsner from your complimentary souvenir stein, and leave full and happy.
September 20 || Vancouver || Tickets
Prep with: Well, Steam Whistle Brewing Pilsner, of course
3) Inland NW Craft Beer Festival: Formerly known as Spokane Oktoberfest, the Inland NW Craft Beer Festival returns for the second year under its new moniker. With a primary focus on both year-round and seasonal beers from Eastern Washington and Idahoan breweries, this fest will feature more than 100 craft brews throughout its two-day stint at Avista Stadium.
September 26-27 || Spokane, WA || Tickets
Prep with: Icicle Brewing Co. Dirtyface Oktoberfest Amber Lager
4) Leavenworth Oktoberfest:Chow down and fill up on traditional German brews, brats and more at Cascadia’s own little slice of Bavaria. Each Saturday afternoon of the three-weekend celebration, raise a glass at the traditional Keg Tapping Ceremony—and throughout the weekend, stick around to indulge amid authentic German music from both the States and Deutschland.
October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 || Leavenworth, WA ||Tickets
Prep with: Alpine Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
5) Base Camp Brewing Co. Oktoberfest:All the fest essentials—fest bier, live music, dancing, feasting, human fussball tournament… Sure, the typical Oktoberfest might not include that last criterion, but this is Portland’s take. Assemble your teams, chug a few cold ones from the special, limited-release, firkin-conditioned beer selection and get your (human) fussball on.
October 4 || Portland, OR ||Human Fussball Tickets
Prep with: Base Camp Brewing Co. Northwest Fest Lager
