A working guide to Oktoberfest parties scheduled for craft breweries, parks and other venues around the region as soon as this weekend. Highlights include everything from stein-hoisting competitions to traditional German eats. We’re hoping for the wurst through October.
8th Annual Oktoberfest Pub Crawl Hop from bar to bar during this celebratory pub crawl, featuring 10 stops, free 4-ounce Oktoberfest beer at every location, stein-hoisting and costume contests, and food offerings like brats and pretzels. Participating bars include Ybor City Jazz House, The Brass Tap, First Chance Last Chance, Tequilas and the new 5 Star Dive Bar. Tickets, available online, come with food and drink specials. Oct. 21, 2-6 p.m. Various locations, Ybor City.
Bootleggers Brewing Co. An all-day festival of new beer releases, bands and way more inside and out — pending permit approval, that is. Sept. 30, noon-midnight. 652 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, 813-643-9463.
Coppertail Brewing Co. Fest-style beers can be enjoyed throughout the two-day celebration in limited Coppertail liter steins, and they include the Tampa Dunkel (a dark lager that's the official beer of Oktoberfest Tampa) and Oktoberfest (a German-style Marzen lager). Games, music and a Bavarian menu from S&V Kitchen — ranging from a house pretzel with Oktoberfest-infused beer cheese to a beer-roasted pork shank known as schweinhaxe — are additional highlights. 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500.
Crooked Thumb Brewery Go for the release of Harborfest, the Safety Harbor brewery's "German Fest Bier." Stay for grub from First Quality Sausage House (including wurst, spaetzle and sauerkraut), live music and a stein-hoisting competition. Winners receive a gift basket from Crooked Thumb and the opportunity to compete at Harbor Sounds Oktoberfest on Main (see below). Sept. 16, 3-10 p.m. 555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor, 727-724-5953.
The Galley Traditional German food, live music and beer — $3 Warsteiner, $4 Sam Adams Oktoberfest and $4 Big Storm Oktoberfest. Oh, and $5 shots of Jägermeister. Sept. 29, 6 p.m.-3 a.m. 27 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-575-7071.
German American Society Tampa Bay's longest-running Oktoberfest kicks off its 61st year. Great for locals who can't fly to Germany for the OG celebration but still want to get in on the tradition, the German American Society event — their biggest of the year at six days long — is a mix of authentic music and folk dancers, imported beer, homestyle cuisine and popular vendors under one big tent. Sept. 29 & 30, 5-10 p.m.; Oct. 6 & 7, 5-10 p.m.; Oct. 13 & 14, 5-10 p.m. 8098 66th St N., Pinellas Park, 727-541-6782.
Harbor Sounds Oktoberfest on Main Fine arts and crafts, food, a beer garden, stein-holding and nail-hammering battles, and gazebo entertainment spread out across nine blocks of downtown Main Street. Oct. 7, noon-10 p.m. Main Street, Safety Harbor.
JDub’s Brewing Co. Patrons enjoy $4 pints of German-style beers — pilsner, gose and Kölsch offerings among them. Music, contests and games (everything from the Team Stein Race to Best Dressed) are also on the lineup. Biggest bonus? The Schnitzel Trailer from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-midnight. 1215 Mango Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-2739.
Lowry Parcade & Tavern Local and German Oktoberfest brews and seasonals accompany the themed games at Parcade’s Oktobeerfest bash. Sept. 16, 6 p.m.-midnight. 1213 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-915-9180.
Mastry’s Brewing Co. New suds on draft, drink specials, beer games and other fun await. Sept. 30, noon-11 p.m. 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, 727-202-8045.
Oktoberfest on the Beach Munich’s famed celebration heads for the water. A signature event for the IRB community, this family-friendly Oktoberfest brings beer, international food vendors, arts and crafts, live sounds, German folk dancers, and two contests — keg throwing and stein carrying — to Kolb Park. Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1508 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach.
Oktoberfest Tampa A three-day amalgam of German cheer. Festgoers can look forward to classic grub, cold beer, wine and all sorts of dancing and singing at Tampa’s largest Oktoberfest celebration. Tickets for general admission and VIP entry are available. Oct. 13-15. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
Pair O’ Dice Brewing Company Liters of beer (think lagers, pumpkin brews and other fall favorites), as well as wursts and pretzels are offered during the annual German-inspired party. Pair O’ Dice also encourages guests to bring their own steins (a Best Beer Stein contest is planned, after all). But if you don't have one, a limited amount of one-liter glass steins are on hand for use. At the very least, get your dirndls and lederhosen ready. Sept. 23, 1-11 p.m. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423.
Pinellas Ale Works Specialty treatments, including the return of the PAWtoberfest beer. Not to mention brats and pretzels — with beer cheese — from Grizzly’s, along with a stein-holding showdown. Oct. 7, noon-midnight. 1962 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-235-0970.
Rapp Brewing Company This isn’t the only Rapptobeerfest party in store, but it is the first (peep the Seminole brewery’s Facebook events to see what else is planned). Stein specials alongside lagers, a costume contest and tunes throughout the day. On the food side, expect German pretzels and Oktoberfest-themed pizza. Sept. 16, 2 p.m.-midnight. 10930 Endeavor Way, Seminole, 727-544-1752.
Sea Dog Brewing Co. A fall selection of brews like Pumpkinhead and Smashed Pumpkin, plus food truck barbecue, a full liquor bar, live music, dog costume prizes, games and other festivities. Proceeds benefit the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida. Sept. 23, 4-8 p.m. 26200 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater, 727-466-4916.
Two Henrys Brewing Company German beer, food (brats, anyone?), music and games are features of this Plant City destination’s Biertoberfest, now in its fifth year. Sept. 30, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, 813-752-9100.
Two Lions Winery & Palm Harbor Brewery An evening of Bavarian merriment. Tickets come with one brat plate, one craft beer and one raffle ticket. Proceeds benefit Suncoast Animal League. Oct. 14, 5-10 p.m. 1022 Georgia Ave., Palm Harbor, 727-786-8039.
Zephyrhills Brewing Company German cheer in the form of craft beer, food from Dave's Jukebox Diner and contests (Best Costume and Best Stein) that award participants with gift certificates. Sept. 30, 3-11 p.m. 38530 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, 813-715-2683.
This article appears in Sep 7-14, 2017.