Tag: Oktoberfest

Five Oktoberfest Celebrations Worth Checking Out

By on September 12, 2024in August Schell Brewing Co., beer events, breweries, Fair State Brewing, Fulton Brewing Co., general beer, history, Summit Brewing Co., Utepils

Grab your pretzel necklaces and dust off that lederhosen or dirndl that’s sitting in your closet. Steins will be knocked all over the state of Minnesota in the next month. Minnesota has a huge population of Germans and New Ulm in particular has the highest reported population of German ancestry in the country.

The history of this celebration originated on the 12th of October, 1810 in Munich, Germany to celebrate the royal wedding of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

As far as the beer goes, you may have noticed there are a couple varieties. One is a Marzen and the other, Festbier.

Marzen: Brewed in March and lagered until ready, this beer is similar to a Vienna Lager and has a nice malt backbone to it. They generally come in at 5.5-6.5 ABV and boast a beautiful amber hue with a clean and dry finish. Some local examples would be Schell’s Oktoberfest, Summit Oktoberfest, and New Glarus Staghorn.

Festbier: This style tends to showcase German Pilsner Malt and is pale in color. They tend to fall in the same ABV range but are more approachable to the average beer drinker. Some local examples would be Fulton Oktoberfest, Fair State Festbier, and Utepils Receptional Festbier.


As far as the festivals go, you can’t go wrong with any of the following:

Schell’s: There’s no better atmosphere than the backdrop of New Ulm, Minnesota for Oktoberfest. Peacocks, historic architecture, and the home of one of Minnesota’s oldest German breweries. The Marti family is not only a fantastic group of brewers, but a family that knows hospitality. I’ve been in this industry for many years, and Jace and crew are some of the best people around. Without Schell’s there is no history and one stop at the brewery will give you the best representation of what a brewery should be. For the most authentic version of this celebration, this is the trip to make. Hotel reservations are highly recommended.

October 12th from 10:30am-5pm

Admission: $10 general admission. Kids 12 and under are free.


Fulton: This iteration of Oktoberfest was voted by Wall Street Journal as one of the best in the country! This event pours draft beer in steins only and you will need to purchase tokens to grab a fresh pour. There will be traditional German staples served such as brats, Bavarian pretzels, and meterwurst. There will also be live entertainment in the form of music and dance throughout the day.


September 20th from 4:00pm-10:00pm
September 21st from 12:00pm-10:00pm
September 27th from 4:00pm-10:00pm
September 28th from 12:00pm-10:00pm


Admission: Free!


Fair State Co-op: Fair State will be hosting two days of Oktoberfest complete with flash tattoos, food, a stein hoisting competition and music while also celebrating 10 years in business. Members will be able to start an hour earlier which means you should get in on that membership if you haven’t already. Expect some fantastic pretzels from Aki’s Bakery and sausages from Sweet Lou’s and music from bands such as The Hill Top Pines, The Right Here, Lutheran Heat, and Night Jobs.


September 20th 12:00pm-10:00pm (members at 11:00am)
September 21st 12:00pm-10:00pm (members at 11:00am)


Admission: Free!


Surly: Surlyfest is proof that there is no party in town like a party at the Surly Beer Hall. These folks pull out all the stops on the way to a good time. It starts with their Marzen style Oktoberfest which is rich, malty, and finishes dry and pairs well with their stellar food lineup featuring pierogis, stuffed cabbage, chicken spaetzle, pork schnitzel, sauerkraut croquettes, and Rueben frites. Surly is well known for hosting some amazing bands and this year is no different. Lighter Company, Fenixdion, and Rhino will be taking the stage outdoors complete with the gorgeous backdrop of the Beer Garden.


September 21st All Day

Admission: Free!


Utepils: There isn’t another brewery in the Twin Cities that does German beers like Utepils. One visit to the brewery and you’ll know you’re in for fantastic lagers and a good time. Utepils is hosting Oktoberfest for two weekends (beginning tomorrow) and will feature a ceremonial keg tapping and a cribbage tournament. The food highlight is Gerhard’s Brats and Northeast Pretzels. There will also be music, kids activities, and the essential meat raffle. A Minnesota staple. Shuttles will be running back and forth throughout the events from Anwatin Middle School.


September 13th 11:00am-Close
September 14th 11:00am-Close
September 20th 11:00am-Close
September 21st 11:00am-Close

Admission: Free!


Remember to tip your beertenders and to arrange for a ride home.  Don’t be a jerk!

Prosit!!!

Oktoberfest at Tycoons in Duluth

By on September 20, 2013in bars/restaurants, brewpubs
Rathskeller at Tycoons

tycoonslogoDave Hoops from Fitger’s Brewhouse has put together a huge beer list for Oktoberfest at Tycoons (September 20-21). He’s got 11 beers in classic Oktoberfest styles Wiesn and Märzen, and five are from Minnesota microbreweries (two of course are from Germany, and three are from the greater Midwest). It’s the largest collection of Oktoberfest microbrews in Duluth. Check it out!

Fitger’s Brewhouse Oktoberfest Wiesn 6.1%
Duluth, Minnesota

Brewed strictly according to the Bavarian beer purity law of 1516, it has the character of a typical light bottom-fermented festival beer with a balanced harmonious taste and the pleasant fragrance of hops.

Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn 5.8%
Munich, Germany

This bier with a clean, malty nose has fruitiness and nutty notes too, along with a hint of baking spices. The mouth features a precise, clean palate with light body. The balance of nutty flavors and fruity Munich malt is more careful here than the other Oktoberfests we tasted, but the intensity is less, as well. The finish has a touch of crisp bitterness and nice malt.

Bell’s Octoberfest 5.5%
Galesburg, Michigan

Octoberfest trades in the assertive hop presence of some lagers for a focus on a light caramel malt note, lending body without too much sweetness.

Surlyfest 6.0%
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

A traditional Oktoberfest bier from Surly? Nein! Malted Rye, Flaked Rye, and Crystal Rye impart a biscuit flavor to the lush Vienna Malt body, and dry-hopping with Sterling Hops adds bright, floral hop aromas.

Summit Oktoberfest 6.6%
St. Paul, Minnesota

Brewed in the classic Märzen style with Northern Brewer hops from Germany. Rich, toffee malt flavors up front with a clean hop finish as crisp as the autumn air.

Samuel Adams Oktoberfest 5.3%
Boston, Massachusetts

This brew masterfully blends together five roasts of malt to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The malt is complemented by the elegant bitterness imparted by the Bavarian Noble hops.

Schell’s Oktoberfest 5.5%
New Ulm, Minnesota

Brewed with the perfect balance of Pale, Munich, and Cara Pils malt with Liberty and Perle hops to create a rich, smooth taste.

Goose Island Oktoberfest 6.4%
Chicago, Illinois

Notes of toffee and burnt sugar in the aroma and flavors of sweet dried apricots are delivered in a dry malty body with the mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops.

Ayinger Oktoberfest 5.6%
Aying, Germany

Ample fruity Munich malt does most of the driving, giving a fresh, almost sweet character that one identified as “juicy.” There’s soft bitterness to balance here, and the overall impression is of a deeply drinkable, full and round beer with a clean character.

Great Lakes Oktoberfest 6.5%
Cleveland, Ohio

Like the crazy but lovable relative you only see once a year, our Oktoberfest is a heartwarming reunion in a glass — preferably of the heavy, handled German stein variety.

Lift Bridge Oktoberfest 5.5%
Stillwater, Minnesota

Brewed in the style of the modern day Oktoberfest, our beer is on the lighter side of a Märzen and is brewed with traditional European malts and hops, which combine to create a beer with a pleasant roasted malt flavor.

Excelsior Brewing Oktoberfest Saturday

By on October 12, 2012in beer events, breweries

On Saturday, October 13th, Excelsior Brewing will hold their first annual Oktoberfest celebration at the brewery from noon to 9pm featuring beer (surprise!) music & hammerschlagen, among other things. Music includes Tim Mahoney and Thee Unholy 3 as well as roaming accordion players. This event will serve as the debut of Excelsior Oktoberfest Märzen. You’ll also be able to enjoy other beers like their Bitteschläppe Brown Ale, XLCR Pale Ale and Big Island Blond Ale. Maynard’s and Patisserie Margo will be serving up food in the form of brats, strudel and a homemade pretzels, etc.

All ages. 21+ to drink.

421 3rd Street, Excelsior, MN 55331

 

Boarfest at Butcher & the Boar Sunday

By on October 4, 2012in bars/restaurants, beer events

Butcher & the Boar in Minneapolis is hosting Boarfest on Sunday, from noon-10pm in their tented Beer Garden. The event will  feature a ton of craft Oktoberfest  beers including Bell’s, Victory, Great Lakes, Lake Superior, Two Brothers Atom Smasher, Surly and more. They’ll also have a cask of Fulton’s The Libertine.

They’ll be serving grilled foods ranging from boar brats to oysters and will feature live music from Drew Peterson, Tim Mahoney, City on the Make, Jack Brass Band, Luke Warm and the Cool Hands.

No cover.

McCoy’s Oktoberfest Today, Friday & Saturday

By on September 20, 2012in bars/restaurants, beer events, breweries
McCoy's Public House, St. Louis Park, MN

McCoy’s Public House in St. Louis Park is celebrating Oktoberfest Thursday through Saturday with local, national and German Oktoberfest/märzen beers, German style sausage and Wiener Schnitzel.

Today, they will feature beers from Summit, and our pal John Landers will be on site from 5pm to 7pm. McCoy’s will have beer specials,  complimentary hors d’oeuvres and swag while they last.

Friday they’ll feature beers from Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Joe Goodin from Paulaner will be sampling beers from 5pm to 7pm, and you can expect more beer specials, hors d’oeuvres and swag.

On Saturday they will feature beers from Great Lakes and Sam Adams. From 4pm-8pm Brent Rowe from Great Lakes and Erin Enlow from Samuel Adams will be sampling beer, There will also be Hammerschalgen and a stein hoisting competition. You’ll also have a chance to win a trip to Boston. Live music by Rattlebag and drink specials throughout the day.