If beer is on your mind, you are in good company. October is celebrated across the San Francisco Bay Area with Oktoberfest events. Many of our local breweries continue the theme with specialty seasonal offerings.
According to Oktoberfest.net, Oktoberfest began in Munich Germany on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of King Ludwig I and Princess Teresa of Sassonia-Hildburghausen, in a public ceremony. With the exception of 24 times, the Munich Oktoberfest has run every year.
Oktoberfest, however, is not just about drinking beer. Most events include parades, Bavarian-style foods, live music, and singing and dancing, but can also include fair rides, horse races and other entertainments. Most are family-friendly.
The Concord Oktoberfest is the closest to Benicia, October 12-13, and features “…a fun, family-friendly, free community event with food, drink and activities available for purchase.” In addition to beer, each event offers a unique twist: The Cotati Oktoberfest features a Wiener Dog contest and yodeling contest.
If you want to sample some great craft brew without the hubbub of the festival, have a taste of autumn at one of the many breweries around the Bay Area. Oktoberfest events that require tickets sell out fast, so check websites for where to purchase. Some events are free. Here’s a smattering of area Oktoberfest and brewpub offerings.
Munich Oktoberfest |
OKTOBERFEST EVENTS
Munich Oktoberfest 2018
9/22-10/7
The world’s largest event with its own app
Brewery carriages, Cathedral tents, fair rides & much more
Theresienwiese, near Munich City Centre
Oktoberfest.de/en/
Clayton Oktoberfest
10/6 & 7
Carnival, parade & street performers
Downtown Clayton
Claytonoktoberfest.com
Oakland Nature Friends Oktoberfest
10/7
Traditional Spätzle, Bratwurst, Kartoffelsalat & Schweinebraten
3115 Butters Drive, Oakland
Thenaturefriendscorporation.org/festivals
Sacramento Oktoberfest
10/12
Sacramento Turn Verein
3349 J Street
Eat, drink, & dance like a tried-and-true German
Sacramentoturnverein.com/event/Oktoberfest
Concord Oktoberfest 2018
10/12 & 10/13
Todos Santos Plaza
German-style lagers from 20 breweries
Facebook, Concord Oktoberfest
Sonoma County Oktoberfest
10/13
Contests, Polka & Weiner Dog Race
Free Admission
La Plaza Park
Old Redwood Highway & West Sierra Ave., Cotati
Cotati.org
Corte Madera Oktoberfest
10/13
Domestic Microbrews, Craft Brews, and Local Wines
Old Corte Madera Square
Oktoberfestcortemadera.org
Campbell Oktoberfest
10/20-21
Downtown Campbell
Over 100 Arts & crafts vendors and a kid’s zone
Free admission
E. Campbell Ave and N. 1st St
Downtowncampbell.com
BREWPUBS
Rocksteady Brewing
613 Escobar St, Martinez
925.228.8787
Rocksteadybrewing.com
Creek Monkey Tap House
611 Escobar St, Martinez
925.228.8787
creekmonkey.com
Five Sons Brewing
701 Escobar St C, Martinez
925.957.6706
fivesunsbrewing.com
Cue & Brew
1029 Arnold Drive, Martinez
925.370.1282
Facebook
Bruehol Brewing
4828 E 2nd St, Benicia
707.327.6768
brueholbrewing.com
Heretic Brewing Company
1052 Horizon Dr Ste B
Fairfield
707.389.4573
hereticbrewing.com
True Symmetry Brewing Co
315 Marina Ctr, Suisun City
707.202.6000
truesymmetry.beer
Mare Island Brewing Co.
289 Mare Island Way Ste G
Vallejo
707.556.3000
mareislandbrewingco.com
Napa Smith Brewery
101 Yolano Drive, Vallejo
707.252.4392
or
850 Bordeaux Way, Napa
707.666.2592
napasmithbrewery.com
