Contributor Holly Beretto lines up some upcoming Oktoberfest celebrations.
KEMAH OKTOBERFEST – Oct. 4-6
Friday and Saturday: Noon – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Adults: $8; kids under 12: FREE
Held in Kemah's Lighthouse District, look for a weekend of the best hand-crafted beers available from Germany, Holland and across Europe. Family friendly and fun, expect great food to accompany those great libations.
FLYING SAUCER
October 5
$35 ($5 discount for UFO members)
Local beer writer and bar man Joshua Justice will be hosting an Oktoberfest tasting at downtown's Flying Saucer. The tasting will include a two-course lunch and a lecture on the history of the fest and on Märzen beers, the traditional lager poured every year around this time.
HAY MERCHANT
Through Oct. 6
Combining craft beers with a gourmet brat. Can you think of any better way to celebrate Oktoberfest? The Hay Merchant is known for its high-end beers and this month the bar is teaming up with Underbelly's Chris Shepherd, whose signature brats (formally only available on the club level of Reliant Stadium during Texans games. Their Bratoberfest features Shepherd's slow-cooked bratwurst with hints of garlic and nutmeg, served on a pretzel bun and topped with butter-braised onions for $9 that you can pair with an array of Okbotberfest beer selections from Left Hand, Karbach, Brooklyn and Real Ale.
OKTOBERFEST HOUSTON
October 19
Northwest Mall
Gates open at 2 p.m. for this family-friendly event featuring German food booth vendors and a variety of German beers. Guests can bring lawn chairs onto the site and hang out, listening to traditional music as well as taking part in games like the Stein Race, a Barrel Role and a Brat Toss.
BAR MUNICH
This German-style bar offers authentic Bavarian food and beers throughout the year, so if you're looking for a European experience without a chaotic festival, this is your spot.
HUBBELL AND HUDSON KITCHEN
Oct. 5
5 – 9 p.m.
Stroll the aisles of this trendy shop in The Woodlands and sample German beers and brats, and listen to live oompah music. The event is free, but donations to the FAITH "Fighting Cancer" charity are appreciated.
BREWFEST: OKTOBERFEST EDITION
Saturday (October 5) 2 to 7 p.m.
1501 Silver Street
Lucky's Pub has partnered with the Houston Press to host an Oktoberfest Brewfest featuring several pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest lagers from local and national breweries. Local food trucks will be on site, including Third Coast and Tha 1 Truck. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.
RUDI LECHNER'S OKTOBERFEST
This annual celebration always begins at the end of September, the traditional beginning of this beer fest, and runs through the month of October. Stop in from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday of every week until November 2 for discounted authentic German fare. More info here.
–Holly Beretto
Oktoberfest [Photo Cred]