Oktoberfest in Austin: Where to Celebrate With Beer and Brats

Oktoberfest, the German celebration of the fall and beer, is here, and there’s no need to travel far to find pretzels, sausage, and, of course, beer. Austin is going all out for beer-filled celebrations, running from Saturday, September 16 through Tuesday, October 3. Arm with steins of beers, bratwurst, and pretzels for brewery parties, beer garden shindigs, and lots of different types of beers.

With that, here are Austin’s best Oktoberfest events, with a few running earlier or later beyond the typical festival timetable. And then Eater also highlighted Oktoberfest beers at local breweries below that. Eat, drink, and be merry.

Events

Through Sunday, October 1

• Four Seasons Hotel: The hotel’s restaurant Live Oak is offering an Oktoberfest food and beer menu through the end of this month, including dishes like bratwursts and pretzels. (98 San Jacinto Boulevard, Downtown)

Friday, September 22 through Saturday, September 23

• Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar: Both locations of the New American restaurant will host a weekend Oktoberfest family-friendly shindig. There will be German foods (chicken schnitzel, beer-braised pork with spaetzle, etc.); beers; live music; dog adoptions and dog costume contests, among others. It runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. (5701 West Slaughter Lane, South Austin; 8300 North Farm to Market 620 East, Northwest Austin)

Friday, September 22 through Sunday, September 24

• Easy Tiger: The beer garden and bakery is offering two weekends’s worth of Oktoberfest specials and events this year (see below too) throughout its three locations. Expect stein-hoisting competitions, Oktoberfest trivia, polka bands, live DJs, and drinks/food specials including pretzels, lebkuchen, and Austin Oktoberfest brews. Book group tables online. (multiple locations)

Saturday, September 23

• Live Oak Brewing Company: The longtime brewery’s Oktoberfest celebration includes beers (including its Oaktoberfest beer, see below)), stein-hoisting competitions, food trucks (German truck Black Forest to Texas Drip BBQ, Show Me Pizza, and Texas Drip BBQ), live music, and a polka band. It runs from noon to 10 p.m. (1615 Crozier Lane, Southeast Austin)
• Vista Brewing: The Hill Country brewery’s Oktoberfest family-friendly fete includes German beers, German food, games (yes, stein-hoisting contests and the hammerschhhlaggen game, where, basically, the winner is the person who can hammer the most nails into a piece of wood), and wearing lederhosen is encouraged. Free RSVPs are encouraged, and it’s $20 to enter the stein-hoisting competition. It runs from noon to 9 p.m. (13551 Farm to Market Road 150 West, Driftwood)
• Real Ale Brewing Company: The Blanco brewery’s Oktoberfest festivities will include Oktoberfest beers (see below), food, music, and more. It runs from noon to 8 p.m. (231 San Saba Court, Blanco)
• Haymaker: The sports bar’s party is similar to sibling bar Black Sheep: beers, bratwurst, pretzels, a stein-holding contest, and the hammerschhhlaggen game. It takes place on Saturday, September 23 starting at 2 p.m. (2310 Manor Road, Cherrywood)
• St. Elmo Brewing Company: For Oktoberfest, the St. Elmo-area brewery is encouraging costumes (aka lederhosen) for its party, plus there will be a live polka band, stein-hoisting competition, German beers, and German foods from on-site trucks Spicy Boys and Patty palace. It runs from noon to 8 p.m. (440 East Saint Elmo Road, East Congress)
• Beerburg: The brewery’s Oktoberfestivities include its marzen beer, live music, and stein-hoisting competition for $15. It takes place on Saturday, September 17. (13476 Fitzhugh Road, Hill Country)

Saturday, September 23 through Sunday, September 24

• Frontyard Brewing: The second of the Hill Country brewery’s two-day Oktoberfest events, there are steins and stein-hoisting competitions, kid activities beers, food, and more. It runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. (4514 Bob Wire Road, Spicewood)

Thursday, September 28 through Saturday, September 30

• Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden: The beer garden/bar/restaurant’s massive multi-day Oktoberfest festivities include German foods (potato cakes, schnitzel), lots of Oktoberfest beers, live music, the tapping of the firkin, stein-hoisting competitions, and log hammering games. Its hours are from 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. (79 Rainey Street, Downtown)

Banger’s

Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 1

• Meanwhile Brewing Co.: The South Austin brewery’s Oktoberfest celebration details is a long weekend affair. Expect Oktoberfest beers, food specials from its on-site trucks (Distant Relatives will offer beef hot links with watermelon rind relish and red pepper mustard; Side Eye is making a bratwurst and sauerkraut pizza; Besame with a pretzel and chocolate ice cream; among others); stein-hoisting competitions; live music; and more. It starts at 8 a.m. on Friday, and then 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are free RSVPs online. (3901 Promontory Point Drive, McKinney)
• Easy Tiger: It’s the second of two Oktoberfest weekend events at the beer garden and bakery, held at its three locations. Expect stein-hoisting competitions, Oktoberfest trivia, polka bands, live DJs, and drinks/food specials including pretzels, lebkuchen, and Austin Oktoberfest brews. Book group tables online. (multiple locations)

Saturday, September 30

• Lazarus Brewing Co.: Both locations of the brewery will be hosting two Oktoberfest events (see below) this season. On deck will be beers, foods (bratwursts, beer cheese, pretzels, etc.), live polka music, stein-hoisting competitions, and more. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m. (1902 East Sixth Street, East Austin; 4803 Airport Boulevard, North Loop)
• Four Seasons Hotel: The Austin hotel restaurant the Point is hosting an Oktoberfest event at its outdoor venue with German beers, food, and stein-hoisting competitions. It runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Free RSVPs are available and everything is available for purchase. (98 San Jacinto Boulevard, Downtown)

Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8

• Best Little Wine & Books: Down in Lockhart, Texas, a bunch of local restaurants, bars, and businesses are hosting an epic Locktoberfest event this long weekend. On deck will be German food (bratwurst by the Sausage Kings of Lockhart, pretzels, beer, cheese, themed pizza, schnitzel, sauerkraut), live music, Oktoberfest beers, German wines, nonalcoholic options, stein-holding competitions, and vendors. The book store-slash-wine shop-slash-wine bar is the host and organizer, and other participating restaurants/cafes/bars are Chaparral Coffee, Commerce Cafe, Load Off Fanny’s, Old Pal, and others. (210 West San Antonio Street, Lockhart)

Saturday, October 7

• Lazarus Brewing Co.: This is the second of the two-location-brewery’s Oktoberfest events. On deck will be beers, foods (bratwursts, beer cheese, pretzels, etc.), live polka music, stein-hoisting competitions, and more. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m. (1902 East Sixth Street, East Austin; 4803 Airport Boulevard, North Loop)

Saturday, October 14

• Scholz Garten: The historic beer garden is hosting its Austoberfest with sausages and beer samples, stein-hoisting contests, polka dancing, and more. Tickets are $20 an it runs from noon to 11 p.m. (1607 San Jacinto Boulevard Austin, Downtown)

Sunday, October 29

• Austin Beerworks: Details are forthcoming for the brewery’s Oktoberfiesta. Expect its Oktoberfest beer at the very least (see below). It runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (3001 Industrial Terrace, North Austin)

Monday, October 30

• Summer Revival Wine Co.: The Hill Country winery/bar/restaurant is hosting an Oktoberfest event with beers, riesling, bratwurst, pretzels, and beer cheese from noon to 8:30 p.m. (665 West Highway 290, Dripping Springs)

Beer

listed alphabetically by brewery

• Austin Beerworks: The brewery will be offering its Oktoberfest beer — the Montecore Oktoberfest — in September. It’s made with what the company describes as floral German hops. It will be available by draft and cans, and to-go orders can be placed online. (3001 Industrial Terrace, North Austin)
• Beerburg: The brewery’s Oktoberfest beer is a marzen, available on tap. (13476 Fitzhugh Road, Hill Country)
• Blue Owl Brewing: The sour brewery’s Oktoberfest beer — Bobtoberfest — will be available starting on Friday, September 1. The beer is a classic marzen. (2108 South Lamar Boulevard, South Austin)
• Hi Sign Brewing: Look out for the brewery’s Oktoberfest beer, the Oktober Festbier, when it’s available. (730 Shady Lane, East Austin)
• Lazarus Brewing Co.: The brewery’s Oktoberfest beer is the Katies Pride, named after Katharina Von Bora who was a nun-turned-brewer, a marzen. (1902 East Sixth Street, East Austin; 4803 Airport Boulevard, North Loop)
• Live Oak Brewing Company: The longtime brewery’s annual Oktoberfest beer is the Oaktoberfest, available on draft and cans starting in the fall. It will be available by draft and cans, and to-go orders can be placed online. (1615 Crozier Lane, Southeast Austin)
• Meanwhile Brewing Co.: The South Austin brewery will brew up its Oktoberfest beer, available in draft and cans. There’s also a special ceramic stein available for purchase. (3901 Promontory Point Drive, McKinney)
• Real Ale Brewing Company The Blanco brewery’s will be brewing up its annual seasonal Oktoberfest beer. It will be available by draft and bottles. (231 San Saba Court, Blanco)
• St. Elmo Brewing Company: The St. Elmo-area brewery is brewing up its marzen-style Schlagen Oktoberfest beer, available on tap and in cans. (440 East Saint Elmo Road, East Congress)
• Whitestone Brewery: The brewery’s Oktoberfest beer is Opa’s Lederhosen, seasonally typically in late summer into early fall. It’s available right now on tap and for to-go orders. (601 East Whitestone Boulevard, Suite 500, Cedar Park)
• Zilker Brewing Co.: The brewery’s Oktoberfest brew is the Wunderbier, available by cans and to-go orders. (1701 East Sixth Street, East Austin)

Already happened

Friday, September 1

• Blue Owl Brewing: Ahead of Oktoberfest and just in time for Labor Day weekend honestly, the sour beer brewery is celebrating its Bobtoberfest, a märzen beer for the season (see above), with food, beeers, beer slushies, games, DIY flower crowns and pretzel necklaces (???). It runs from noon to 10 p.m. (2400 East Cesar Chavez Street, Holly)

Saturday, September 9

• Fast Friends Beer Co.: The brewery newcomer is hosting its first Oktoberfest party this year. On deck will be new fall beers, merch, and more. Timing is to be announced. (7313 North I-35 Frontage Road, St. Johns)

Saturday, September 16

• Black Sheep Lodge: The sports bar is hosting its Oktoberfest party with expected beers, bratwurst, pretzels, and a stein-holding contest. It runs from 2 to 6 p.m. (2108 South Lamar Boulevard, South Austin)
• Whitestone Brewery: The brewery’s Oktoberfest event includes beers, polka music, and a stein-hoisting competition. It starts at noon. (601 East Whitestone Boulevard, Suite 500, Cedar Park)
• Hi Sign Brewing: The brewery’s Oktoberfest includes its Oktoberfest beer, bratwursts, pretzels, and a live polka music. Timing is to be announced. (730 Shady Lane, East Austin)

Update, Tuesday, September 19, 3:21 p.m.: This guide, originally published on August 23, has been updated to include additional events and beer specials.