Lest you thought Oktoberfest was only in October — think again, peasant!
To be fair, the festival did originally start in October. The first Oktoberfest was October 12, 1810, to be exact, when Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria, later King Ludwig I, married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (try saying that five times fast).
And get this — according to the fest's official website, the inaugural celebration didn't have any beer.
But as the festival repeated annually throughout the century, celebrators decided it should include lots of beer and overtake the end of September, too, since that's when weather was usually better in Bavaria.
This year, Germany's official Oktoberfest, the largest folk festival in the world, happens Sept. 21 through Oct. 6. But if you're not one of the 6 million people who'll be in Munich for the celebration, there's plenty of opportunity to celebrate in the Inland Northwest. And yes, there will also be plenty of beer.
Marzen and festbiers, a local oompah band, and stein-holding contests — a classic Oktoberfest at No Drought!
The local British pub is being taken over by German beers and snacks for the first day of Oktoberfest. Anyone wearing a dirndl or lederhosen gets a pint on the house!
Join Iron Goat Brewing Co., The Grain Shed, Humble Abode Brewing, Whistle Punk Brewing Co. and Brick West Brewing Co. for a collaborative Oktoberfest spread across the West End of downtown Spokane. There will be special beers, plus schnitzel and pretzels from Iron Goat. Admission includes a limited-edition mug.
Get here on time, because there's a 700-person limit in the beer hall! Admission gets you a half-liter glass boot and a Bavarian hat, plus the sweet serenades of an oompah band, the fierce competition of classic Oktoberfest games and a taste of No-Li's small-batch German lager.
Entry is free, but you can preorder a nifty 1-liter stein at buywpbeer.square.site for $25, which includes your first pour. The steins will be available for pick up at your chosen location on the day of the festival.
Dust off your lederhosen and head to Perry Street Brewing for a swig of their famous fresh-hop beers. These brews use some of the first hops of the season, usually within the first 24 hours they've been harvested, for super unique tastes and aromas.
Come hungry for special food items! You can also purchase a commemorative half-liter mug for $20 that comes with a free pour and $1 off all pours after that.
Celebrate Oktoberfest and YaYa Brewing Company's fifth anniversary with German and fresh hop beers, a cornhole tournament, and a Sunday Oktoberfest buffet — brats, sauerkraut, spaetzle, German potato salad, beer cheese, and a pint of Prince Ludwig Oktoberfest Lager for $20.
GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY
Oct. 5 at 4 pm; $10; Deutsches Haus, 25 W. Third Ave.
An authentic Oktoberfest with the German-American Society means an authentic meal, complete with bratwursts and kartoffelsalat, plus authentic German gemütlichkeit: friendliness, warmth, and good cheer.
Trade your merlot for a sip of something from Square Wheel Brewing, then participate in Arbor Crest's annual Game of Gnomes! Bring your own picnic or snack on a freshly curated Oktoberfest menu from Arbor Crest's award-winning kitchen.
Oktoberfest in Washington's premiere Bavarian ski town. Need I say more? ♦