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Get ready to guzzle down a few beer steins, Metro Detroiters. It’s time to celebrate Oktoberfest! If there’s something wrong with observing a German tradition in the U.S., well, then I don’t want to be right.
While it would be super duper amazing to attend an Oktoberfest celebration in Munich, that just may be out of reach for some of you with limited budgets and even more limited vacation days. If that’s the case, there’s no reason to fret! There are dozens of Oktoberfest celebrations taking place in the Detroit area over the next few weeks. Let’s take a look!
The 10th Annual Oktoberfest will take place in Downtown Saline on Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27. Don’t miss out on the inaugural “Tapping of the Golden Keg” on Friday night, as well as live entertainment by Fifty Amp Fuse beginning at 8 p.m.
Saturday will include a beer garden, children’s activity area, plenty of German food, a cornhole tournament, live music from The Phoenix Theory and more. Don’t miss out on the hammerschlagen tournament at 6 p.m.!
A $5 cover fee will be charged on Friday evening only, while admission is free on Saturday. You can find the full schedule of events on the official website.
The Dakota Inn Rathskeller, 17324 John R. St., Detroit, began its Oktoberfest celebration last week, and it runs through Saturday, Nov. 1. The event began with two kick-off parties last weekend, but there is still plenty of Oktoberfest joy yet to experience. Head to the Dakota Inn this weekend for the musical stylings of Harry Lutz & Die Fahrenden Musikanten beginning at 8 p.m. Admission costs $3 and there will be plenty of German beer flowing from taps throughout the evening.
Each weekend features a different lineup, so be sure to take a peek at the calendar online. You’ve got plenty of opportunities to attend, so no excuses will be acceptable!
Karl’s Cabin, 6005 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth, is celebrating Bell’s Octoberfest release with a (well deserved) party on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The evening will feature plenty of Octoberfest on draft, a performance by The Flutter & Wow and an exclusive German-inspired menu prepared by chef Jason.
The menu includes a starter of Sausage & Kraut Fritter, followed by featured entrees including Schnitzel, Combo Wurst Plate and Sauerbraten. It just wouldn’t be a celebration without German Chocolate Cake for dessert, too!
Menu items are priced individually and there is a $5 cover charge for the performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m. The Octoberfest release party begins at 6 p.m. and reservations are highly recommended.
Bastone Brewery, 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak, is celebrating Oktoberfest several ways. Beginning tomorrow, head to Bastone to purchase a limited edition beer glass for $8 and fill it with Rocktoberfest Lager for $1 off (or any other craft beer, for that matter). You’ll also be able to dine on some Oktoberfest-exclusive menu items, like Baked White Onion Soup, Wild Mushroom Stroganoff and Chicken Paprikash.
The Oktoberfest celebration will culminate with an Oktoberfest Beer Pairing Dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and features a four-course meal of White Onion Soup, Chicken Strudel appetizer, Buffalo Sauerbraten and German Sour Cream Cake with Caramel Frosting for dessert. For just $35, you can enjoy the above courses with a different beer pairing for each. What a steal!
Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor, is hosting an Oktoberfest street party on Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4. From 5 p.m. to midnight both days, you can enjoy ABC draft beers, live music and brats free of cover. The Immigrant Sons will provide live musical entertainment, and food and drink will be available for purchase.
Because one event just isn’t enough, the Arbor Brewing Company will host an Oktoberfest Beer Tasting on Thursday, Oct. 9. This month’s tasting will include Marzen and Vienna style lagers, in addition to various fall specialty ales. The tasting begins at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Canterbury Village’s Oktoberfest event takes place from Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5 at Kings Court Castle, 2325 Joslyn Rd., Lake Orion. The weekend will be packed with German music, food and beer, as well as family-friendly activities like bounce houses, face painting and a petting zoo.
Admission costs $5 each day, but is free for children under the age of 12.
The 3rd Annual Black Bottom Brew Club Detroit Oktoberfest will occur on Saturday, Oct. 4. Held at the Artist Village Detroit, 17336 Lahser Rd., Detroit, the community arts benefit concert will feature food provided by Motor City Java & Tea House, including beer brats and sauerkraut, as well as plenty of beer on tap.
General admission costs $10, which will be donated to community art and gardening in Detroit. There are also $25 and $50 VIP packages that can be purchased by visiting the event’s Facebook page.
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, 120 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor, kicked off its Oktoberfest festivities yesterday, which run through Sunday, Oct. 5. You can purchase a limited edition pint glass for a mere $5, then take $2 off the price of a normal pint when you fill it with the craft beer of your choosing (try Grizzly Peak Festbier or Oktoberfest Lager 2014).
The special Oktoberfest dining menu consists of Sauerbraten, Smoked Pork Chops, Grilled Knockwurst and Pork Schnitzel.
Additional breweries in the Metro Detroit area holding Oktoberfest events include:
- Rochester Mills Beer Co., 400 Walter St., Rochester, on Thursday, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Sept. 27
- Oktoberfest in the Park, courtesy of Atwater Brewing, 237 Jos Campau, Detroit, on Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4
- Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., 5919 Chicago Rd., Warren, on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11
Grab your lederhosen, your most fun group of friends and get ready to celebrate Oktoberfest in the D! As always, be sure to indulge responsibly.
