Here’s Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest around Boston This Fall

Boutique beer distributor Craft Collective is hosting several Oktoberfest parties, including at SoWa Market in October. / Photo courtesy of Craft Collective

Looking for a place to lift your stein and shout Prost! this fall—without a peak-season trip to Bavaria? There’s no need to leave greater Boston, where Oktoberfest oom-pahs in in mid-September with local lagers, salty pretzels, wursts, and more. Events at breweries, bars, and restaurants continue into October—so make sure your dirndl or lederhosen is dry-cleaned and ready to go.

All parties are pay-as-you-prost, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, September 19

Bronwyn

Somerville’s very Bavarian wurst haus goes all out for Oktoberfest, with 21 days of beer, live oom-pah music—and chef Tim Wiechmann’s irresistible menu of weisswurst, spätzle, beer-braised pork shank, a sausage-stuffed bretzel ball, and more. The parties start Thursday, Sept. 19 and run nightly through Sunday, Oct. 13, plus all day on the weekends.

Bronwyn Restaurant, 255 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville, 617-776-9900, bronwynrestaurant.com, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Dorchester Brewing Co.

Saturday, September 21

Dorchester Brewing Co.

Get there early for this annual Oktoberfest season kick-off: The first 300 guests who order an Oktoberfest beer will get a commemorative mug to bring home. But if you miss the stein swag, never fear—there’s plenty going on all day, including a traditional menu from DJ’s European Market and Delicatessen (2-8 p.m.), a live oom-pah band (3-6 p.m.), and a piano singalong with  Klipper Music (7:30-10 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.

The Fenway Oktoberfest with Trillium

Trillium Brewing Co. is celebrating its first-ever Oktoberfest this season at all locations—Canton, Fort Point, and nearby its soon-to-open location at 401 Park Drive in the Fenway. In conjunction with The Fenway developers Samuel & Associates, the outdoor party will feature Eastern Standard Provisions Co. pretzels, live music all day long, giveaways sponsored by the Fenway, and of course, beer. Trillium is debuting an Oktoberfest Wiesnbier, among other brews, and there will be limited-edition one-liter steins available for purchase. After cavorting on the newly renovated 401 Park lawn and getting a sneak peek at the soon-to-open Trillium taproom, head over the Fenway Beer Shop, which just rebranded after ending its franchise relationship with Craft Beer Cellar. Fenway Beer Shop is celebrating its independence on September 21 with beer releases, tastings, and a stein-hoisting competition at 4 p.m. Prost!

The Fenway Oktoberfest with Trillium, Saturday, Sept. 21, noon-8 p.m., 401 Park Drive, the Fenway/Kenmore, Boston, thefenway.com, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Rosebud Kitchen

Rosebud Kitchen

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 21, a week of Oktoberfest specials land in Davis Square—including mini-stein flights of Bavarian-style beers from both local and European breweries. The alleyway patio alongside this old-school diner car is being transformed into a biergarten, and there will be a photo booth set up for the week. The festivities begin each night at 5 p.m.

Rosebud Kitchen and Bar, 381 Summer St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-629-9500, rosebudkitchen.com.

Night Shift Brewing Co.

Head to the Everett location of Night Shift Beer for a full day of beer releases—including Shimmer, Pfaffenheck, and Steinbier—and Oktoberfest flights; food from Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen and the brand-new Night Shift Eats food truck; classic German tunes from the TubaFrau Hofbräu Band; and men’s and women’s stein-hoisting competitions. Have you celebrated Oktoberfest with Night Shift before? Bring back an NSB-branded stein to have it filled again, or add to your collection with this year’s new design, on sale during the party.

Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett, nightshiftfamily.com, Facebook.

The Notch Biergarten in Salem. / Photo provided by Notch Brewing

Sunday, September 22

Notch Brewing Co.

Head up to Salem for specially brewed lagers, an awesome Oktoberfest menu including a sausage plate by Karl’s Sausage Kitchen and steckerlfisch from Bambolina, traditional tunes by TubaFrau Hofbräu Band, and other Bavarian traditions—word on the street is there will be an 18-foot Hi Striker on site. Not only does this party fill the riverside biergarten and taproom, but Notch is taking over a portion of the parking lot to increase capacity for the festive day. The $20 entry fee includes a beautiful custom steinkrug (ceramic mug).

Saturday, Sept. 21, noon-6 p.m., Notch Brewing, 283R Derby St., Salem, notchbrewing.com, Facebook.

Wednesday, September 25

Stir

For something a little different, reserve a seat at the Barbara Lynch Collective’s teaching kitchen for an Armchair Travel dinner that will transport you to Germany. The Stir team will recreate a traditional Oktoberfest feast in five courses, including soft pretzels, various sausages, and obatzda—a Bavarian beer cheese delicacy—and is curating a selection of venerable German brews.

$165, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Stir, 102 Waltham St., South End, Boston, stirboston.com.

Pull up a stool at the 23-seat bar for pints of freshly brewed beer at Democracy Brewing. / Photo by Toan Trinh

Thursday, September 26

Democracy Brewing Co.

Downtown Crossing’s bierhalle and brewhouse has created four speciality Oktoberfest beers this year—and that calls for a three-night celebration. Beginning Thursday, Sept. 26, look for a special food menu to pair with brewmaster Jason Taggart’s helles, rauchbier, and more, featuring pretzel bites with a trio of mustards, chicken schnitzel, sausages, and lots of house-fermented sauerkraut. Things heat up on Saturday, September 28, with live music from Opa’s Oompah Band (3-5:30 p.m.), stein-hoisting contests, and more.

Thursday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Sept. 28, Democracy Brewing, 35 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston, 857-263-8604, democracybrewing.com, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Idle Hands Craft Ales

Idle Hands Oktoberfest at Monument Tavern

Malden brewery Idle Hands hosted its own Oktoberfest early in the season. But if you missed it, get a taste of Idle Hands Brocktoberfest; Clay, an eight-year anniversary altbier; and more craft ales at this Charlestown neighborhood gem, which is preparing a special Oktoberfest menu to pair. This party is one of several this season sponsored by boutique beer distributor Craft Collective.

Thursday, Sept. 26, 5-8 p.m., 251 Main St., Charlestown, 617-337-5191, monumentcharlestown.com, Facebook.

Rowes Wharf Bar

The Boston Harbor Hotel bar is stacking the taps with Oktoberfest selections from six New England craft breweries, including Berkshire Brewing Co.’s Life on Marzen, Downeast Cider House’s Pumpkin Cider, and Von Trapp Brewing Oktoberfest. The seasonal lineup is on through October 24, but local beer experts the Mass. Brew Bros will be on site September 26 to hoist the inaugural steins.

September 26-October 26, 4 p.m.-midnight, Rowes Wharf Bar, Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 617-439-7000, bhh.com.

Friday, September 27

Daddy Jones Bar

A Somerville bar best known for Greek-inflected fare goes German for a night with help from Craft Collective. The boutique distributor is bringing a portfolio of local Oktoberfest brews, from Aeronaut Brewing Company Oktoberfest, to Schilling Beer Co. Konstantin, Singlecut Beersmiths Inexplicably Used Umlaut, and more.

Friday, September 27, 5 p.m.-1 a.m., Daddy Jones Bar, 525 Medford St., Somerville, 617-690-9095, daddyjonesbar.com, Facebook.

Photo coutesy of Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers

Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers

These lager specialists help fuel Oktoberfests around the region with their unparalleled Märzen, Copper Legend, among other crisp beers. But this year will mark the first time Jack’s Abby hosts its own Oktoberfest celebration at its Framingham beer hall. The free-to-attend, three-day party will feature stein-hoisting competitions, live music, and plenty of beer hall menu specials, plus family-friendly programming on Sunday. There are also some extra-special happenings for lager lovers: Check out the VIP reservation packages and gather a group to get a special tour led by one of Jack’s Abby’s founders, and to enjoy a family-style feast complete with dessert and a welcome beer in a commemorative stein.

Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, 100 Clinton St.,
Framingham, 774-777-5085, jacksabby.com, Facebook.

The Bow Market courtyard dressed for Oktoberfest. / Photo by Emily Tirella

Saturday, September 28

Bow Market

The vendors at Somerville’s quirky marker market are joining forces for a weekend-long celebration. Whether your drink of choice is something like Remnant Brewing Co.’s Fest lager, or the lineup of German wines Rebel Rebel is curating, bring it with you throughout the market while you check out Oktoberfest specials like Buena potato salad; a meatless “currywurst” made with Beyond sausage at Saus; and more. There will be live music, and more surprises in store throughout the weekend.

Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29, noon-8 p.m., One Bow Market Way, Somerville, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Lamplighter Brewing Co.

Lamplighter Brewing Co.

This Cambridge hotspot doesn’t typically have an outdoor area, but for this annual celebration of beer, the Lamplighter crew is taking over the sidewalk with a beer garden. Festivities also include brats by Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen, seasonal games, and more. The $5 entry fee comes with a glass stein to fill for the day—first come, first filled.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m., 284 Broadway, Cambridge, lamplighterbrewing.com, Facebook.

Olde Magoun’s Saloon

Throughout the month of September, this Somerville bar is serving up an Oktoberfest menu every Wednesday night, including kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes with a rustic apple butter), ale-brined roasted chicken, Hofbrau-steamed bratwurst, and more. There are beer promotions on tap throughout the season, plus a different traditional, German-style roast on every Sunday evening. On top of all of that gemütlichkeit, there’s also a proper party all day on September 28, which begins with the screening of a live Bayern-Munich soccer match at 9:30 a.m. Expect to see the TubaFrau Hofbräu Band later in the day, sample a traditional German menu, and stick around for the ceremonial tapping of a Paulaner Weisn keg.

Olde Magoun’s Saloon, 518 Medford St., Somerville, 617-776-2600, magounssaloon.com, Facebook.

Saturday, October 5

Blackmoor Bar + Kitchen

Get your Oktoberfest on in Charlestown on two Saturday nights in October. On October 5, the TubaFrau Hofbräu Band is supporting an Andechs Beer promo and the German food menu. On October 19, catch the Bavarian Bros. performing live, along with Benediktiner beer and the festive fare.

October 5 and 19, 4-11 p.m., 1 Chelsea St., Charlestown, 617-580-8166, blackmoorbar.com.

Photo courtesy of SoWa Open Market

Sunday, October 6

SoWa Oktoberfest with Schilling Beer Co.

It’s not Bavaria, but New Hampshire brews that are fueling the stein fest at SoWa. The beer garden at the market on the first Sunday in October will feature a Schilling Beer Co. tap takeover, pouring the likes of Konstantin Märzen, Poppy’s Moonship Sour Gose, and more. Flex your stein-hoisting muscles—there are prizes worth up to $250. It’s also another chance to catch the TubaFrau Hofbräu Band, and along with 10 regular food trucks, there will be pretzels from Eastern Standard Provisions Co., and sausages from Gastros 401. Bring your own stein, or plan to get there early to grab one of just 50 custom mugs made for the second-annual celebration.

Sunday, October 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 540 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston, sowaboston.com, Facebook.

Friday, October 11

140 Supper Club at Oak Long Bar

Close out Oktoberfest season with Oak Long Bar, where chef Laurent Poulain is presenting a five-course feast as part of the Fairmont Copley Plaza’s intimate 140 Supper Club dinner series. Expect dishes like smoked bluefish pâté, German ham-wrapped figs, beer-braised pork belly, and Black Forest cake. Dinner begins with a flight of local lagers on Oak’s Copley Square-side patio (weather permitting), and each course is paired with special German wine selections. In other words, it will be a versatile taste of the country of Germany.

$125, Friday, October 11, 7-10 p.m., Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 Saint James Ave., Back Bay, Boston, fairmont.com, Facebook.