Where to wear your lederhosen and not draw stares
Oktoberfest is the time of the year we all wish we were German — or at least in Germany drinking fresh marzen lager from liter-sized steins.
But a pair of lederhosen, a pinegreen hat and this list of Oktoberfest events in Colorado will help transport you.
Here’s where you can celebrate with good beer:
WIBtoberfest
Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. at Wibby Brewing in Longmont
Part Oktoberfest, part second-anniversary party, Wibby Brewing is promising German-themed food, music and games and then some. The firkin of traditional marzen taps at 11 a.m. with more exclusive tappings each hour.
Denver’s Union Station Oktoberfest
Sept. 15, 5-8 p.m., Terminal Bar at Union Station in Denver
The Terminal Bar’s Plaza beer garden will celebrate Oktoberfest with live music from the Polkanauts and a mix of Colorado and German beers.
Drink RiNo Oktoberfest
Sept. 16, noon, The Rackhouse Pub. 2875 Blake St., Denver
The River North breweries come together to celebrate Oktoberfest with an event in the parking lot of The Rackhouse, home to German beer brewer Bierstadt Lagerhaus and C Squared Ciders. The event features German food and oompah bands. Tickets are $20 and include a liter of beer. Last year drew more than 700 people. More details at radcraftbeer.com.
Parker Oktoberfest
Sept. 15-17 at O’Brien Park in Parker
This family-friendly Germanthemed festival takes place throughout the weekend in downtown Parker. Expect dancers, a German Fairytale Land, a dachshund costume contest and even a mustache competition. Oh, and beer: a lineup of Paulander, in fact. The event takes place 6-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. More details at parkeroktober-
fest.com.
Denver Oktoberfest
Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30, 11 a.m. to midnight in downtown Denver
The 48th annual event covers two weekends and draws 350,000 people, earning accolades as one of the best in the U.S. To add an American touch, it included a long dog derby and stein hoisting and brat eating contests. The best part of the festival: the traditional Spaten amber lager Oktoberfest. It takes place on Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd streets. More details at thedenveroktoberfest.com.
Longmont Oktoberfest
Sept. 22-23, Roosevelt Park in Longmont
The two-day music festival hosted by Left Hand Brewing is starts Friday (4 to 10 p.m.) with brat eating and stein holding contests, along with a performance from Reel Big Fish.
It restarts noon Saturday for a costume contest and the fifth annual challenge to build the world’s longest bratwurst at over 300 feet. Perpetual Groove headlines night two. Oh, and the Left Hand Oktoberfest is one of the best in the state. Tickets are $10. More details at lefthandbrewing.com.
Oktoberfest at Station 26
Sept. 23, Station 26 Brewing in Denver
Live polka music a grill with brats and a full list of beers, including the Oktoberfest lager.
Oktoberfest on South Pearl
Sept. 30, 1-9 p.m., 1500 South Pearl St., Denver
Denver’s South Pearl Street closes to make room for beer, brats and music at this neighborhood-centric, low-key Oktoberfest event. More details at southpearlstreet.com.
Big Wonderful Oktobergrass
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2-6 p.m., 4400 Fox St. in Denver
The BigWonderful is offering a bluegrass themed Oktoberfest (which makes it not quite Oktoberfest, but nonetheless) paired with music and a beerfest with more than 20 breweries, wineries and distilleries. The tickets for the beer portion are $25. More details at thebigwonderful.com.
Sam Adams Octoberfest
Oct. 7 3-10 p.m. in Denver
The Great American Beer Festival in town this weekend, but there’s more beer to be drank. Sam Adams is hosting an Octoberfest with music from George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, G. Love & Special Sauce and Corey Harper. The event is at Larimer Square between 14th and 15th streets and Sam Adams will pour Boston Lager, OctoberFest, Rebel IPA and a glutenfree cider. Tickets are $45 to attend. More details at samueladams.com.
St. Dominic’s Oktoberfest
Oct. 14, 2-9 p.m. in Denver
The Highland event takes place in the St. Dominic Catholic Church parking lot and features five local breweries: Diebolt, Factotum, Little Machine, Zuni Street and Joyride. The event includes activities for kids as well as food vendors and live music. Pets welcome. More details at stdominicdenver.org.