Where to go, and what to drink to celebrate Oktoberfest in Oregon

The 2023 ultimate guide to Oregon Oktoberfest celebrations and beers

Oktoberfest season is here, the traditional autumn event held in Munich, Germany, in late September and early October is the largest beer festival in the world. The iconic cultural event centered around beer draws millions of people to Munich and takes place from Sat, Sep 16, 2023 – Tue, Oct 3, 2023 for the 188th year. The significance of Oktoberfest is felt all over the world, including in Oregon which may have more celebrations and special beers brewed in 2023 then any year in recent memory.

Oktoberfest is the name of the festival, but you may know it best as a seasonal beer. In reality, there is no Oktoberfest style of beer even though many American breweries release beers under that name. Seasonally appropriate Oktoberfest beers actually fall into two styles; historically a maltier Bavarian amber lager called Märzen, and later in the 1970’s organizers and brewers transitioned to the lighter Festbier which is a bit crisper and less heavy with a sweet bready quality and touch of hops.

LOCAL OKTOBERFEST & FESTBIERS:

Van Henion Brewing Fest Bier

Van Henion Brewing of Bend, Oregon’s Fest Bier is a German-style lager brewed just in time for the changing of the seasons. Its malt forward subtly bitter profile makes this brew a classic Oktoberfest beer. Brewed with premium pilsner, vienna and munich malts and Tettnanger Hops . It pours a brilliant golden-orange color with a pillowy white head. 

18 ibus and 5.5% abv

Breakside Oktoberfest

Contemporary German versions of Oktoberfest biers are lighter and more refreshing, and the Breakside Oktoberfest falls squarely in this vein, with an emphasis on toasty, sweet Vienna malt and floral German hops. It is quite close to the style of Oktoberfestbier that is currently produced in Munich, and it’s meant for enjoyment with friends and strangers during these last days of #summer and cooling days of #autumn before the rainy season sets in.

5.6% ABV⁠ 20 IBU

Chuckanut Fest Bier

Chuckanut Fest Bier emphasizes the use of Vienna malts for a smooth, quaffable fest beer light in color as currently brewed for Oktoberfest in Germany. The aroma and flavor are lightly sweet with a hint of Noble hops. This medium bodied lager finishes crisp and smooth for a beer to enjoy in multiple quantities in liter mugs!

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest

Sierra Nevada has once again released its popular Oktoberfest beer, available in retail locations (MSRP $12.99/6-pack) now through October, or while supplies last. This year’s edition is a reimagining of the traditional Festbier made in collaboration with Germany’s Kehrwieder Brewery.

The beer pours a beautiful copper color and has a clean, biscuity malt flavor accentuated by an aromatic, but not too bitter blend of German and American hops – an ode to the cross-continental collaboration. It clocks in at 6% ABV and an approachable 30 IBU.  

Rosenstadt Festbier

Rosenstadt Festbier is an amber lager brewed for the harvest season with the color of an autumn sunset. Festbier features a complex layers upon layers of malts for a deep flavor; Weyermann Pilsner, Barke Munich, Dark Munich, Caramunich, and Carafoam Malts that interplay with each other to give off notes of everything from  fresh bread and toast to almonds, dried fruit, and golden raisins. Noble hops German Magnum and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, and Czech Saaz provide a floral, spicy counterpoint. 

Block 15 Brewing Bloktoberfest Märzen Lager

Made almost exclusively with regionally sourced ingredients, this 5.5%, amber-hued beer has flavors of wildflower honey and toasted biscuit.

Noble hops impart subtle floral and spicy aromas, while PNW-sourced Pilsner and Munich-style malts build a delicate base to this seasonal favorite. The recipe has been reworked for Bloktoberfest from last year to utilize malts grown in the PNW, a continuation of our focus on sustainability with our Lagered by the Sun program.

Occidental Brewing Festbier

A smash hit at Occidental’s Oktoberfest, this year’s Festbier is 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.

Living Haus Beer Benjamin June

Benjamin June is a blend of Pilsner, Vienna, and Munich malts paired with just the right amount of Hallertau Mittlefruh and Kazbek hops. This years celebratory beer is brewed in the current style offered at Oktoberfest. Lighter in body and color than a Marzën, this festbier is dark yellow with doughy and light biscuit notes. Soft herbal hop aroma and a delicate bitterness round out the finish. Prost!

Heater Allen Bobtoberfest

Bobtoberfest is Heater Allen’s version of a traditional Oktoberfest-style beer or a high gravity Märzen, which is different from the Fest beers you would find today at Munich's Oktoberfest. Named after Heater Allen founder Rick Allen's late brother Bob, the person who sparked his interest in brewing lager beers in general and Oktoberfest beers in particular. Bright amber color; rich, malty, and smooth, with a just touch of clean hop bitterness. If you can't make it to Munich this fall, this beer is the next best thing. Bobtoberfest is released at the end of August, beginning of September.
5.6% ABV

Fort George Half Liter

The identifying characteristic of a Fest Beer is that you can drink a lot of it. The identifying characteristic of a Fort George Beer is that it contains hops. The identifying characteristic of a Stoup Beer is that it is delicious. 

Combine these three dominant beer traits and you get Half Liter: a pleasantly earthy, crisply carbonated, reassuringly toasty Fest Beer brewed by Fort George and Stoup Brewing that you can drink a lot of. Stoup has been brewing in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington since 2013. The Fest comes with the beer, but you have to provide your own Maßkrug.

ABV: 5.6%

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest

Oaktoberfest has been a seasonal staple at Firestone Walker dating back to the inaugural release in 2006. The recipe has evolved over the years, but recent tweaks have taken the beer to new heights. 

A portion of the beer is lagered in French oak barrels inherited from one of Napa Valley’s top cult wineries. The barrels are stored at a temperature of 3°C for optimal lagering conditions. Meanwhile, the ingredients are decidedly German: Weyermann Vienna malt, Weyermann pilsner malt, noble German hops (Tradition and Spalter Select) and classic 34/70 Weihenstephan lager yeast.

Oaktoberfest’s light amber color foreshadows its toasty, biscuity flavor. The oak-barrel lagering allows for an even smoother texture, all while remaining true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.

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. Every year they select a hop from an Oregon hop farm partner for the fresh hop addition. 2018 featuring Hallertau hops from Goschie Farms. Prost!

OKTOBERFEST EVENTS AROUND OREGON (from September 9 - October 7):

September 9th

Chuckanut Brewing Oktoberfest (P-Nut and Burlington)

920 SE Caruthers St Suite A, Portland, OR 97214

Chuckanut’s Oktoberfest celebration is happening at South Nut (Burlington, WA) and P. Nut (Portland, OR) on Saturday September 9, 2023 from noon to close. This family friendly fall celebration includes lots of Chuckanut beer, food, games and contests. Get your arm muscles in shape for the liter holding and Hammerschlagen contests. Make sure your Bavarian gear still fits so you can enter the Costume contest and get your vocal chords warmed up for the Yodeling Contest. There’s lots of fun ways to show off your skills and outfits.

 Costume contest will only happen at South Nut but there will be plenty to do at P. Nut also. Beer Garden games like cornhole will be out and at the ready. Sazon Michoacano Taco Truck will be on hand in Portland to dish up food for the hungry along with friends Pacific Ice who make some of the best smoked fish in Portland!  Two different food options will be on site in Burlington also. If you’re in the mood for some Bavarian grub The Skagit Landing will dish up brats while the Pop Up Oyster Bar will have fresh and cooked oysters. You are guaranteed there will be plenty of Chuckanut’s Fest Bier 2023 on hand to drink in liter mugs, just like in Germany. Plus there will be Chuckanut’s other great German beers like Kolsch, Dunkel Lager, Helles Lager, Bavarian IPA and Chuck Light Lager.

September 9th

Johns Marketplace Johnstoberfest

John’s Marketplaces: 3535 SW Multnomah Blvd, Portland + 3560 SE Powell Blvd, Portland +3700 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton

Come to your favorite John's Marketplace location on Saturday, Sept 9, between 2 - 7 pm to celebrate Johnstoberfest! International classics and festbiers, custom glassware, (6) 8oz drink tickets, a brat and pretzel, ceremonial keg tapping, steinholding contests, and music! Tickets $40 (in advance) $50 at the door.

The Beers at 3535 SW Multnomah Blvd, Portland location: Märzen from Draper Brewing, Festbier from Flensburger Brauerei, Blocktoberfest from Block 15, Festbier from Dwinell Country Ales, Festbier from Rosenstadt Brewery, Oktoberfest Wiesn from Paulaner.

Live music at all three locations from 5 - 7 pm: Susan Schwab, from the Alpine Echoes Band, playing accordion at Multnomah. Lynn Haldeman playing accordion at 3560 SE Powell Blvd, Portland. Frank Stratton rock and roll playing at 3700 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton.

September 9 - 10th

SteepleJack Oktoberfest Weekend

2400 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232

Five festive German-style beers and Bavarian themed food both days at SteepleJack on NE Broadway. Saturday 9/9 Stein Holding Competition at 2pm, Costume Contest at 5pm. Sunday 9/10 family friendly day with pretzel necklace kits, face painting from 3-5pm, and a kid’s costume contest at 5pm.

September 14 - 17th

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest

Mt. Angel, Oregon

The streets of Mt Angel are filled with celebration for Oregon’s largest Oktoberfest festival. Everything from arts and crafts, street dances, a 5 and 10k race, Oktoberfest olympics, volkswalk, a golf tournament, glockenspiel, wiener dog races, will be held across nine different enterntainmane venues, 6 of them free and 3 of them with admission. There will be plenty of beer, wine, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks, including both imported German beer and local craft beer. Join in our German/Swiss festival and see why Mt Angel Oktoberfest is a Touch of Bavaria. More info at https://oktoberfest.org/

September 15 - 16th

Zoiglhaus Brewing Zoiglfest

5716 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Zoiglhaus Brewing Company's annual Oktoberfest celebration at their brewpub and food hall The Zed. Beer, music, dancing, more beer, food, games, contests, beer, kids activities, stein-holding and lederhosen contests, food, more music, and more beer! Festivities kick off on Friday 9/15 at 6pm with a traditional keg-tapping followed by live music from Smut City Jellyroll Society. Collectible Mug and Bavarian Hat presales have already started at the beer bar, head on in asap to get yours early!

September 16

Living Häus Beer Oktoberfest

628 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

One year old Living Häus Beer is throwing their first Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 16th, the same opening day of the festival in Munich, Germany. Their festbier, Benjamin June, will be pouring along with guest festbier from Chuckanut Brewery and a collaboration festbier brewed with the bay area’s Cellarmaker Brewing. All three of these three beers will be available in 1 liter stein pours.

In house kitchen Pan Conqueso will feature a pixxa special with haus made sauerkraut, stone ground mustard aioli, a special cheese, and bratwurst from Olympia Provisions. If you dress up in traditional German lederhosen and dirndls, they will knock off a couple bucks for stein pours. Come listen to all the oompah bands you can handle and enjoy a showing of the Oktoberfest opening day parade on the big screen.

September 16 - October 2nd

Beergarden Oktoberfest

777 W 6th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402

Each day of this 17 day event will feature German-Inspired Food, German Brews & Entertainment. Keep checking back as we announce all of the deliciousness for 2023. Also each year beergarden makes commemorative glassware for their Oktoberfest celebration including this 8th annual rendition. Apparently there will even be commemorative boots, while supplies last.

Daily Featured Breweries, Drafts, Activities, Entertainment & Live Music: Each day we will be featuring a different brewery. There are also all sorts of daily events, fun featured breweries, games, etc. that will be updated on the facebook event page here.

September 16 - October 3rd

Loyal Legion Oregon Oktoberfest (PDX and Beaverton)

710 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 and at 4500 SW Watson Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005

Loyal Legion is usually strictly an Oregon exclusive beer bar but for this season they are tapping true German beers and Oregon German-style beers together for you to enjoy and compare. Also every year they bring out special 25oz steins and are offering all Oktoberfest beers in a stein for only $8! Expect Oktoberfest food specials and beers at both Loyal Legion locations in SE Portland and Beaverton.

September 22nd

Baker City Oktoberfest

The Baker Event Center, 2600 East Street Baker City, Oregon 97814

Join signature food and spirits providers for a wonderful Oktoberfest meal, plus live music. Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is hosting Oktoberfest, again, as their fall fundraiser with food, music, dancing and fun

Dress in your favorite Oktoberfest attire and enjoy the music of Idle Vice from La Grande Oregon. Cover charge is $15.00 if purchased by September 17th. $20.00 cover charge at the door. Food and beverage vendors onsite, where you can purchase food and drinks with $2 tokens, purchased at the event. Silent Auction and cornhole. Get your tickets today at: onecau.se/23oktoberfest

September 22 - 23rd

Portland Oktoberfest at Pioneer Courthouse Square

701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Bring your steins, dirndls, and lederhosen - Munich’s favorite fest has arrived in downtown Portland at this inaugural event put on by Pioneer Courthouse Square. This event promises: German Food, Live Music, Beer, Wine, Spirits, INKBUS Tattoo, Local Maker Vendors, Stein Holding Competitions, Mechanical Bull, Photobooth by Acme Photo Company, and Costume Contests. More info at pdxoktoberfest.com/

September 22 - 24th

Prost! Oktoberfest

4237 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217

Portland’s best german bar Prost! is hosting their annual blowout Oktoberfest weekend coinciding with the Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest. This is arguably the premiere Oktoberfest party in the city with live festival brass band, commemorative glassware, food specials, a massive selection of classic German beer with a ceremonial firkin tapping.

September 22 - 24th

Oaks Park Oktoberfest

Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202

"Willkommen" back to Oktoberfest! For the first time since 2019, Oaks Park’s fall family festival returns with three days of authentic German food and beer, polka music, dancing, kids' activities, cooking shows, thrill rides, and more.

Authentic German favorites featuring imported beers served alongside locally crafted cider and wine. Local German culture is on display as the northwest's favorite oompah bands and traditional dancers perform on two stages. Family fun awaits with cooking demonstrations, wiener dog races, craft vendors, Kinderplatz children's activities, and more. Oaks Park's famous rides, roller skating, mini golf, and games add to the fun! New this year, Ride Bracelets include gate admission. More info at https://www.oakspark.com/oktoberfest

September 23

Van Henion Oktoberfest

63067 Plateau Dr, Bend, OR 97701

One of Bend, Oregon’s newest breweries Van Henion is throwing their first ever Oktoberfest party on September 23rd from 12-9pm. The lager centric brewery will utilize their large parking lot for a variety of Oktoberfest related festivities: German and German-style beer, food, games and music. In addition to their new Fest Bier, the beer tent will have 7 different Oktoberfest beers available including Bagby Beer, Fort George, Block 15, Arable and Heater Allen to name a few. Entry comes with a commemorative mug.

Septemember 23rd

Occidental Brewing Oktoberfest

6635 N Baltimore Ave UNIT 102, Portland, OR 97203

Occidental Brewing Co. is please to announce the return of Oktoberfest! For the first time since 2019, Occidental Brewing will once again host it’s famous Oktoberfest at the brewery. The all ages event will take place on September 23rd, 12 pm – 9 pm, at 6635 N Baltimore Ave. For those looking to drink, the cost is $12 for your special Oktoberfest mug and 1 beer. Subsequent beers will be $6. Wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks will be available as well. There will be live music all day, including Jenny Don’t and the Spurs. Brats and Pork Roast will be available from Urban German.

The star of the show is Occidental’s Festbier, the perfect mahogany, malty, masterpiece designed to celebrate the harvest. A full lineup of beers will also be available, including Fresh Hop Pilsner and 3 brews from the new Further Beer brand. There will be 3 areas to get a beer, the Taproom, an outdoor station and in the Wursthaus. With mugs, tokens and multiple pouring locations, lines always move quick at Oktoberfest!

“We are very excited to finally bring our biggest party of the year back to life,” said co-founder Ben Engler.

September 23rd

Little Hop House Oktoberfest

4400 SW Garden Home Rd, Portland, OR 97219

One of the most successful new breweries on the smallest scale is hosting their very own Oktoberfest at the tiny Little Hop House beer garden with neighboring food truck Planted PDX. Visit the cozy camp pop-up on September 234d from 12-7pm for German cuisine, beer and games.

September 23

OrenKoFest Hillsboro’s Harvest Festival

Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station, 943 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, OR 97124

OrenKoFest, Hillsboro’s free family harvest festival, returns Saturday, September 23, 12 noon to 7 pm at Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station. This event features vendors and artisans from event partner Tuesday Night Market, a Beer Garden by Golden Valley Brewery, and live music all day long!

The Bavarian flavor of this Oktoberfest-style event means German music, German food, and a traditional “Masskrugstemmen” beer stein holding contest at 3:30 pm. Contest entry is $20 and may be purchased onsite—no advance sales.

Entertainment Schedule
12- 2 PM - Doppelbock
2- 2:30 PM - Phil and Gayle Neuman playing the Alphorns
2:30- 4:30 PM - Z Musikmakers
3:30- 4 PM - Masskrugstemmen Contest
5- 7:00 PM - Rockit Radio

September 23 - 25th

Buoy Beer Oktoberfest

1152 Marine Dr. Astoria, OR 97103

Save the Date for Oktoberfest at the Food Hub! September 23-25, we will host a weekend of Beer, Brats, and Oompah! Three lager collaborations will be on tap: Level collaboration Smoked Helles, Foreland collaboration Dortmunder, Level FH IPA, Buoy Festbier. and Buoy barrel-aged Oktoberfestbier - a festbier barrel-aged in traditional Oktoberfest fashion in lightly toasted virgin oak barrels. Stay up to date as more details unfold in the Facebook event. 

September 29 - October 1st

Stammtisch Oktoberfest

401 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

One of Portland’s best german bars and restaurants, Stammtisch will take over the street for a massive biergarten with traditional music, a German cookout, glassware for sale, games, face painting, and plenty of Oktoberfest bier flowing

September 30th

Widmer’s OKTOfest

Rose Quarter, 1 N Center Ct St #150, Portland, OR 97227

The 19th Annual Widmer Brothers Brewing Oktofest is here! Instead of throwing their party at the brewery, Widmer is taking over the Rose Quarter right outside of the Moda Center on Saturday, September 30th, from 11am to 8pm. The fest features live music, local food carts, family-friendly activities, many classic and small batch Widmer Brothers beers, and of course, the signature OKTOFEST llamas to prost to the change of seasons. Grab a pint of this year's batch of OKTOFEST Ale. They will also have other fan favorites such as Hefe, Drop Top, Hopcadia, and Square Mile ciders.

This event is open for all ages, but you need to be 21+ to enjoy the beer. Advance mug and beer token package is available for purchase online and includes one Oktofest commemorative mug (required for beer service) and three beer tokens. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on site.

September 30

Olympia Provisions Oktoberfest

Olympia Provisions Public House, 3384 Southeast Division Street Portland, OR 97202

Olympia Provisions fun-filled Oktoberfest Celebration with Rosenstadt, Little Beast, and Wolves & People! They’ll be cooking the best traditional Oktoberfest food, featuring live Polka music 1pm-4pm by the Alpine Meadows and 5pm-8pm from Doppelbock. They will be hosting games like a steinholding contests with prizes, Hammerschalegen, kids water balloon toss, best in show : Dogs in Liederhosen. Feeling fashionable? Arrive in Liederhosen and you can spin the wheel to win a prize! Tables will be available on a first come first served basis with priority given to those with eventbrite tickets. Regular food menu will not be available and service will be at the bar and outdoor drink stands only. Advanced tickets available here.

October 6 - 7th

Block 15 Blocktoberfest

300 SW Jefferson Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333

Bloktoberfest is returning under the big tent in Downtown Corvallis. Join them Friday, October 6th, from 4 pm-11 pm and Saturday, October 7th, from 12 pm-11 pm.

There will be a lineup of entertainment planned, including live music, German-style beer from Block 15, a German spelling bee, a stein holding competition, face painting, German food & unique food carts, and college football on the big screen. Dust off your lederhosen and dirndls!

Don't miss out on your chance to get one of their limited, commemorative Bloktoberfest liter steins. Included with each package is your first fill of beer and a special Bloktoberfest merch item. Pre-sale begins September 11th if you don't want to wait to purchase your stein at the door. Keep an eye out for future communication.

October 7th

Urban German Grill Oktoberfest

6635 N Baltimore Ave UNIT 201, Portland, OR 97203

The great Urban German Grill is a fixture at beer festivals around Portland, they also have a brick-and-mortar taproom in St. Johns with a deck overlooking the bridge and Occidental Brewing. The Urban German Oktoberfest is back on at their Wursthaus and we have some special treats for you this October 7th. DJ Goose from #toomanyrecords will be there, as will a Live Band ' No Animals were Harmed ' going on. Pork Knuckles are on the menu and all Taps are pouring Paulaner Beer....Everyone in Lederhosen or Dirndl getting a welcome drink.