This year marks the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest. And how do we plan on celebrating here in Tampa Bay? By drinking a lot of beer. Check out this list of the Oktoberfest-related events going on in the Bay so you can plan your festivities accordingly.
Thursday-Saturday, September 30-October 2: Dunedin Brewery's OktoBEERfest
Head on over to one of Tampa Bay's best local breweries to join in the three day festivities which will include craft beers, German fare and live music every night. Thursday: Literstein Night and unveiling of Dunedin Brewery's new Oktobeerfest Lager; Friday: First Friday Street Party- Stein holding contest and the ceremonial cracking of the Oktoberfest cask with the Mayor of Dunedin; Saturday: Saturday Street Gathering- More stein holding contests and plenty of beer to be enjoyed. Thursday and Friday: 5 p.m., Saturday: 12 p.m. 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606. dunedinbrewery.com
Friday-Sunday, October 1-3: Oktoberfest at International Beer Garten
Three days of beer, brats and awesome bands, all under one big tent. Test your skills (while buzzed) at the yard games and the Das Boot drinking game competition. Door prizes, giveaways, homemade German food, and lots of American craft and German beer round out this weekend of revelry. Friday: 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday: 12 p.m.-2 a.m., Sunday: 12-11 p.m. 16540 Pointe Village Drive #102, Lutz, (813) 749-0884. ibgtampa.com
Friday-Saturday, October 1-2; October 8-9: The Dubliner, both locations
The Irish have gone German! Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Dubliner with traditional German beers, food, rockin' bands (headlined by the Daniel B. Marshall Band), giveaways and Oktoberfest themed contests to benefit Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Get a souvenir liter mug with admission (The first 50 customers to purchase their tickets will be upgraded to a glass liter mug). $5; Friday: 5 p.m.-3 a.m., Saturday: 12 p.m.-3 a.m. 2307 W. Azeele St., Tampa. 813-258-2257; 12836 Henderson Rd., Tampa. 813-300-2076, thedublineririshpub.com
Saturday-Sunday, October 2-3: MaC'Toberfest at MacDinton's
Enjoy German Beer, food, music, and games at MacDinton's first annual Oktoberfest event. $10 open bar from 4-6 p.m., specials from 6 p.m. until close and the first 100 paying guests will receive souvenir mug 2 p.m.-3 a.m. 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. macdintons.com
Saturday, October 2: Oktoberfest Pub Crawl
Start wandering along 7th Avenue a little earlier on October 2nd during the Oktoberfest Pub Crawl. Begin in Centro Ybor, grab your official shirt and map, then head to the 13 participating bars giving free samples of Oktoberfest brews — from New World Brewery on the West end to the Dirty Shame on the Eastside. Several venues, like Gaspar’s Grotto and Green Iguana, will be adding German food items to their menus for the event. A prize patrol will be giving out free passes and promotional items to participants who can answer Oktoberfest trivia questions. $20; 4-8 p.m. 813-241-8838. ybor.org (click ‘Special Events’).
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.