Celebrate Oktoberfest in Oregon with these beers and events

The annual Oktoberfest celebration draws millions of international and national visitors to Munich, Germany every year for a 16-18 day folk festival that runs mid-to late September to the first Sunday in October. After a 2-year break because of COVID-19 the festival returns for it’s 187th year in 2022.

Locally, we have plenty of ways to celebrate with these richly malty, crisp, and sometimes hoppy lagers released for the season, as well as a major comeback to festivals and events capturing a touch of that fall German culture. Here are a few of the best Oktoberfest beers and parties happening this season in Oregon.

BEERS:

Zoiglhaus Brewing: Oktoberfresh
Marrying German malts and yeast with freshly picked hops honors the nuptials of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Their festivities sparked the advent of the Oktoberfest celebration in Munich. Auburn in color from the Munich malt, which provides a rich and distinctive aroma, Oktoberfresh starts malty but ends crisp and refreshing. Brewed with Hallertauer fresh hops from Goschie Farms.

Buoy Beer: Festbier
As part of the 2022 lager series, Festbier will be canned in 16oz cans, marking another first for Buoy Beer. Brewed with heirloom German malts including Weyermann Isaria and Munich, Festbier is a crisp, full-bodied lager with bready and biscuit aromatics balanced with Hersbrucker and Saaz hops.

Ex Novo Brewing: German Overalls
Bavarian Märzen style lager, brewed in celebration of Oktoberfest. Lovely bread crust & biscuit flavors with a clean, soft, earthy bitterness. Available now in 4pks to go from the brewery. 5.8% ABV.

Heater Allen Brewing: Bobtoberfest
Oktoberfest-style beer or a high gravity Märzen, which is different from the Fest beers you would find today at Munich's Oktoberfest. Bright amber color; rich, malty, and smooth, with a just touch of clean hop bitterness. 5.6% ABV

Baerlic Brewing Co. OktoBaerfest
Maerzen, Festbier, Oktoberfest, are all appropriate names people will call this style of German Lager. Traditionally light brown in color, with a slightly assertive hop profile to balance the maltiness of the beer, we use Czech Saaz hops to bring that unique spiciness to the profile. Brewed slightly hoppier and maltier than the lighter lagers typically brewed by the Bavarian brewers. ABV 5.2%

Wayfinder Beer: Freiheit Festbier
Freiheit! is a Festbier — the paler, hoppier, less-malty cousin of Märzenbier. Crafted by Wayfinder, it’s a premium example of the style. Every golden pour flows with vivid florals followed by an elegant, honey-drizzled biscuit note. Delicate caramel carries underneath before a crisp finish.

Chuckanut Brewing: Fest Bier
Chuckanut Fest is a golden lager, brewed with a large portion of Vienna malts for a smooth, rich lager. The aroma and flavors are malty and lightly sweet with just enough noble hops to balance out the sweetness for easy drinking. Fest is a medium bodied beer that finishes crisp and smooth meant to be served in Liter sized mugs.

Occidental Brewing: Festbier
A rich yet quaffable lager in the old tradition of Oktoberfest beers before light colors and flavors began to dominate the style. German noble hops provide a delicate hop character to pair with a firm malt profile featuring Munich and Vienna malts. Portland-area beer drinkers can enjoy these flavors during the transition from summer to fall while admiring the beer’s beautiful, deep mahogany color.

Foreland Beer: Arc Spectrum
Munich-style Festbier. Coming in at 5.6% ABV, it has a pleasant malt profile with a nice subtle noble hop finish.

Great Notion Brewing: Oktoberfest
After years of begging by their staff, NE-style IPA, pastry, and sour brewers Great Notion Brewing finally caved and made an Oktoberfest this year. Brewed with primo Vienna and Munich malts to get that nice sweet malt backbone just right. Hallertau Mittelfruh and a later addition of Sterling hops provide the bittering and aromatics for balance. 5.6% ABV. Prost!

Von Ebert Brewing: Festbier
Modern Bavarian-style festival lager (rich malt, honeysuckle, crisp). Our Festbier is a strong-ish malty blonde lager, single decocted and hopped exclusively with German Tettnang. Great care went into preserving intense malt flavor and aroma throughout the brewing process. 6% ABV.

Rosenstadt Brewing: Festbier
A Festbier with layers of malts, notes of everything from fresh bread and toast to almonds, dried fruit, and golden raisins that emerge over two months of lagering (aging). Using hops that produce a floral, spicy counterpoint to encourage longer sessions.

SteepleJack Brewing: Oktoberfest
Brewed in the style of a classic Vienna Style Lager with a blend of Vienna and Munich malts. This Oktoberfest has a soft, nutty, and complex malt character, with a firm Noble Hop backbone. Throw in a dry finish, and you have yourself a balanced and delicious festive beer!

Widmer Brothers: OKTO
A not-too-bitter, not-too-sweet brew that perfectly captured the arrival of Fall. Medium-bodied and deep in Amber color - the perfect bier for Autumn’s shorter and cooler days. From the brewers that first introduced seasonal biers to America. 5.5% ABV.

EVENTS:

Urban German Oktoberfest
September 16 - October 16
Urban German Grill, 6635 N Baltimore Ave Portland, OR 97203

Urban German Grill is a fixture at Portland area beer-festivals, but did you know they also have a restaurant in N. Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood across from Occidental Brewing? Maybe this will be your excuse to visit, as they host an Oktoberfest for a full month from September 16 - October 2nd. On weekends they will offer Steins for $12 and Pork Knuckles fresh out of the oven. Urban German’s Bavarian friends from Paulaner Brauerei are taking over the taps from September 23-25th, plus lots of Paulaner Specials. Oans , Zwoa , G'Suffa. For the rest of the 4 weeks there will be local German-style beers from Rosenstadt Brewery, Heater Allen, and Wayfinder.

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
September 15 - 18
5 N Garfield St, Mt Angel, OR 97362

Oregon’s largest Oktoberfest celebration has more events, tours, culture, and attractions than we can possibly list here in a paragraph. If there is one place to scratch all your German beer, food, music, and dirndl in one place this is it. More info at their extensive breakdown on the website here.

SteepleJack Brewing Oktoberfest
September 16 - 18th

SteepleJack Brewing is celebrating Oktoberfest at all three of their locations (Portland, SW Hillsdale, Hillsboro) with food and beer specials, a SteepleJack boot and fill of Oktoberfest beer for $20. Bring the boot back and refill it for only $6. Also at the Hillsboro location only they will hold a stein holding contest and a cornhole tournament, history and brewery tours, and raffles and more. See their facebook event page for more details.

Prost! Bend Oktoberfest
September 16 - 18

Festbiers galore at the the first Oktoberfest celebration at the new Bend location of Prost! They will have an oktoberfest BBQ, lederhosen, dirndl’s, and lots of fest music. Arrive early to get a commemorative 2022 beer mug before they sell-out.

GoodLife Brewing Oktoberfest
Sept 24th - Oct 15th - Every Day 12 pm-8 pm
GoodLife Brewing Company, 70 SW Century Dr suite 100-464, Bend, OR 97702

GoodLife Brewing is teaming up with their neighbors at Prost! Bend for an outdoor Goodlife Biergarten. More than just a weekend festival, they are transforming our outdoor Biergarten into a Bavarian-Themed celebration area complete with a 40 x 40 tent, Oompa music, bratwurst, and more! The celebration this year is extended to 3 whole weeks of Oktoberfest. Saturday, Sept. 24th-Saturday Oct. 15th to accommodate everyone and anyone to enjoy the season on their day of choosing.

Goodlife brewed their first-ever Oktoberfest Mazen Lager for this year's celebration, which will be available along with our Bavarian Helles Lager, Pilsner, and Fresh Hop Ale. There will also be Imported German Beers, Local Cider from Bend Cider Co. German wines, and special cocktails from Backdrop Distilling. Goodlife will have a special menu available and will have Live Music every Saturday evening from 5 pm-7 pm with .5 liter souvenir dimple beer steins to cheers with your friends.

Oktoberfest 101
September 17th 12pm - 11:45pm
Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom, 3090 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202

Oktoberfest beer? Festbier? Marzen? Learn about the beers served at Munich's famous Oktoberfest and the celebration history, and taste through all the styles, each freshly brewed by local Oregon breweries. Drink a full stein of beer (one liter) split between 7 different Oktoberfest-style beers, served with a fresh-baked soft pretzel from Fressen Artisan Bakery & house-made beer cheese dip for $20.

Loyal Legion beer hall Oktoberfest
September 17 - 30th

Both southeast Portland Loyal Legion location and their new pub in Beaverton will celebrate the season 9/17-9/30. Enjoy various Octoberfest beers from Germany, along with local Oregon beers with a special showcase of German-run Bayern Brewery's Oktoberfest beers. Get a brat, pretzel, and beer for $20, and they will have special 25oz steins available. Facebook event page for more info.

Buoy Beer Oktoberfest
September 23 - 25th
Astoria Food Hub, 1152 Marine Dr, Astoria, OR 97103

This year will mark the 212th year of the original Bavarian festival and Buoy Beer’s first. Celebrations will be held at the Astoria Food Hub, Buoy's current restaurant location. The company’s restaurant moved three blocks east on Astoria’s Riverwalk immediately after its original building partially collapsed in June. Buoy Beer will host a weekend of beers, music, and German-style cuisine. Collaborations with ForeLand Beer and Level Beer will be on tap, along with fresh-hopped selections from both breweries. On Saturday, enter the Stein-holding competition and sing along to rounds of “Ein Prosit” with music from Portland-based traditional German-style band Haldeman’s Oompah Boys from 1-3pm and 4-6pm. Festgoers can also enjoy a barrel-aged version of Festbier, a beer that Fruhlingsfest attendees sampled before it was packed away in virgin, lightly toasted oak barrels and has been cold lagering since April. 

Stammtisch Oktoberfest
September 23 - 25th
Stammtisch, 401 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

Festbiers galore at the annual Stammtisch Oktoberfest celebration. The street party will have an oktoberfest BBQ, live music featuring “festival brass” and arrive early to get a commemorative 2022 beer mug before the ceremonial keg tapping on Friday at 7pm.

Chuckanut Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 24th
Chuckanut Brewery P Nut, 920 SE Caruthers St Suite A, Portland, OR 97214

Chuckanut Brewery will celebrate Oktoberfest at their Burlington, Washington location and their new Portland beer hall the “P" Nut. Theirs will be a family friendly fall celebration with lots of beer, food, games and contests. Beer Garden games like cornhole will be out and at the ready. GrisGris Kitchen will be on hand in Portland to dish up food. You are guaranteed there will be plenty of Chuckanut’s Fest Bier on hand to drink in liter mugs, just like in Germany. Plus Cuckanut’s other great German beers like Kolsch, Dunkel Lager, Helles Lager, Vienna Lager and the rich Maibock. Chuckanut Oktoberfest is sure to be a very fun gathering for everyone!

McMenamins Edgefield Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 24th
McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale, OR 97060

McMenamins classics like their Oktoberfest beer special along with guest beers coupled with classic German delicacies – think: bratwursts, kraut, potato salad, pretzel rolls – and live music starting at 11am bring the annual festivities to life. Plant Sale from 11am-6pm with estate produce, plants, seeds & gifts from the garden. Face painting from 3-6pm. Balloon guy from 3-6pm. Party All day, all ages and free entry, more info here.

Widmer Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 24th 2-10pm
Widmer Brothers Brewing, 929 N Russell St, Portland, OR 97227

Widmer Brothers Brewing’s 18th annual Oktoberfest features special beers, food vendors, live music, dancing, and Llamas and Alpacas. All-ages, and free entry, more info here.

Stickmen Brewing Oktoberfest
September 24th noon - 8pm
Stickmen Brewing Tualatin, 19475 SW 118th Ave STE 1, Tualatin, OR 97062

German-style beers, food specials, and Celtic Axe throwing at Stickmen Brewing’s Tualatin location. $25 tickets for a custom 16oz glass + 5 Drink Tickets, available presale or at the door if any remain. This fest is limited to 280 entries and they will stop selling tickets at 6:46pm or whenever they sell out. Wear your Lederhosen and receive TWO extra drink tickets. Guest not wanting a glass and drink tickets are welcome in without a charge. All ages welcome.

Zoiglfest
September 30 - October 1st
Zoiglhaus Brewing, 5716 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Zoiglhaus Brewing and their remade food hall venue The Zed will be throwing their own Oktoberfest over 2 days. Expect live music, family-friendly activities, pretzels and brats, yard games, and a fashion show. Collectible mugs are now on presale at the taproom for $20. A mug will come with 1 drink token. Bring the mug and token to the 'fest for 1 free fill and $1 off your refills (in the mug) all festival long! 5% of beer sales will benefit the Lents International Farmers Market.

Prost! Portland
September 30 - October 2nd
Prost!, 4237 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217

Portland’s premiere German pub Prost! holds their annual Oktoberfest party with live festival brass band, commemorative glassware, food specials, a massive selection of classic German beer with a ceremonial firkin tapping at 7pm on Friday, September 30th.

Ninkasi Oktoberfest
October 1st 12-10pm
Ninkasi Brewing Better Living Room, 155 Blair Blvd. Eugene, OR

Ninkasi Backyard Patio for food & beer specials, music, and Oktoberfest activities. More information on the day’s events and how to reserve your table to come. Stay tuned to the event page.

Happy Valley Oktoberfest
October 8th 11am-9pm
Happy Valley Park, 13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd, Happy Valley, OR 97086

Happy Valley Parks and Recreation is preparing for the highly anticipated return of Oktoberfest. Complete with pumpkins, wagon rides, and plenty of kid friendly activities, Oktoberfest is prime for flannel shirts, boots, and everything Fall. But we know you are here for the beer, so they have teamed-up with local taphouse, Valley Public House, to present a festive German style festival with traditional food, music, and of course, beer! Activities will continue throughout the evening and include such novelties as Wiener Dog races, a chicken dance contest, and a Paulaner Stein hoist competition (21+ only). Event page listing here.