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While Oktoberfest is a tradition held in Germany, those of us who can’t afford to travel the 4,000 plus miles to a foreign land must settle for celebrating locally.
Just because we’re in Metro Detroit and not Munich doesn’t mean we can’t be festive! We’re blessed with numerous breweries and craft beers to celebrate the season, and Oktoberfest parties to add to the authenticity.
Bastone Brewery, 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak, is already in Oktoberfest mode, and will continue through Sunday, October 13. The celebration includes not only the brewery’s award-winning Rocktoberfest Lager, but authentic German food as well. The food specialties include Baked White Onion Soup, Sauerbraten, Pepper Encrusted Pork Tenderloin, Vegetable Pancakes, Essen Chicken, and Braised Lamb Shank.
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor, is owned and operated by the same people who own Bastone Brewery, so its Oktoberfest is also being held through Sunday, October 13. For $5, you can purchase a limited-edition pint glass and enjoy the brewery’s fall seasonal beer, Grizzly Peak Festbier, from the comfort of your own home. Authentic German food will be served at the brewery through October, and includes Sauerbraten Po’Boy, Smoked Pork Chops, Beef Rouladen and Weinerschnitzel.
Liberty Street Brewing Co., 149 W. Liberty St., Plymouth, recently released its Oktoberfest beer in the tasting room, and I can tell you from personal experience that it’s good. The brewery will hold its Oktoberfest celebration at The Inn At St. John’s on Wednesday, September 25. The event will feature five courses and five beers for $49/person. Reservations are required, and food will be provided by 5ive Restaurant. Liberty Street’s Oktoberfest beer is a limited batch and only available for a short time, so don’t miss it!
Rochester Mills Beer Co., 400 Water St., Rochester, will hold its annual festival on Thursday, September 26 through Sunday, September 29. This year, it’s bigger and better than ever: more days, longer hours, and they’ve added a carnival! The family-friendly weekend will include polka music, Bavarian dancing, pony rides and more. Admission costs $5 for adults; children 16 and under get in free. Proceeds from the weekend will go to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation of Michigan and the YMCA North Oakland County Waves swim team.
Griffin Claw Brewing Company, 575 S. Eton St., Birmingham, will host its Oktoberfest festivities Friday, September 27 through Sunday, October 6. Exclusive beer releases for the brewery’s first Oktoberfest celebration include an Oktoberfest Lager and Dunkel, a dark German beer. There will be a special Oktoberfest menu, in addition to the regular dinner options. A liter of Oktoberfest (in a souvenir mug!) will set you back $15, with $10 refills. If you are looking to save some cash, go dressed in costume—it just might get you a discount!
Saline’s 9th Annual Oktoberfest will be held in downtown Saline on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28. The weekend celebration will include a bier garten, traditional German food, a VW car show, activity center for children and more. Admission to the festival is free.
Founders Brewing Co. will host an Oktoberfest Celebration, the Hockeytown Brew HaHa, at Joe Louis Arena. The event will take place on Saturday, September 28 and will feature over 100 craft beers and ciders. Founders’ Mango Magnifico con Calor, Doom and Rubaeus will be available on draft, and Breakfast Stout and All Day IPA will be available by the bottle. There will, of course, be food (courtesy of the area’s best food trucks), as well as music and more! Admission costs $37.50 or $60 for a VIP ticket.
Bell’s Brewery, will host an Oktoberfest event at Karl’s Cabin, 6005 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth, on Wednesday, October 2. A buffet-style dinner will include wienerschnitzel, spatzel, potato pancakes, and other traditional German fare. Bell’s Octoberfest, Best Brown Ale and Two Hearted Ale will be the evening’s featured beers. Reservations are required and cost $16.95 for the dinner (beer prices are by the glass).
Canterbury Village, 2369 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion, will host two separate Oktoberfest events this year. Oktoberfest 2013 will be held Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6, featuring German food, music and kid’s activities all weekend long. Admission costs $5 (children under five are admitted for free). The Michigan Brewers Oktoberfest will be held that Saturday, October 5, featuring over 100 beers to choose from. Admission costs $35, which will get you 15 drink tickets. A designated driver ticket can be purchased for $10.
There you have it, Metro Detroiter… grab your beer stein, prepare your belly for a sauerkraut-eating contest and get to celebrating!
