For many, this time of year stokes the urge to stick a K in October and then grab a mug and fill it—repeatedly—with beer. Even if you never get closer to Bavaria than a dessert order of Bavarian cream, you can celebrate Oktoberfest at several spots in the Triangle in the coming weeks.
Head to Pittsboro on Saturday, Sept. 27, for the 5th Annual Carolina Brewery Oktoberfest 5K at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the run benefit Habitat for Humanity. Later in the day, starting around 4 p.m., there will be music from The Outboards and The Fairlanes plus activities for the kids (including a bounce house). And, since this is Oktoberfest and it’s being hosted by a brewery, there will be plenty of chances to try Carolina Brewery’s Oktoberfest lager. There’s also a special menu through Oct. 19 with such items as a sausage platter, pretzels, bratwurst sandwiches, and jaeger schnitzel.
In Durham, Bull City Burger and Brewery is taking over East Parrish Street on Saturday, Sept. 27, for eating, drinking and dancing in the street. Cosmic Superheroes are scheduled to perform at 4 p.m. followed by Beauty Operators at 6 and the Lockdown Blues Band at 8 and 9:30. Adam Sampieri will do half-hour sessions between sets. Along with the music there will be a kids play area and street performers and, of course, beer, pretzels and house-made brats available. This event also helps support Habitat for Humanity.
You can bounce between BCBB’s shindig and the Rocktoberfest party at German restaurant and bakery Guglhupf. It runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and in this, its fifth year, it has more draft beer stations and an expanded food selection. Various German street foods grilled on the patio will include smoked kielbasa and hendl (rotisserie chicken). Other menu items include Southern German potato salad dressed with beef stock and braised red cabbage seasoned with red wine, vinegar and apples. About a half dozen German beers will be available on draft including Hacker-Pschorr, Aying and Weihenstephaner.
The evening starts with traditional “oompah” music followed by sets from D-Town Brass and then Pipe.
Of course, Oktoberfest is more than a one-day affair. You can preorder a special package that includes a mug, bar tool, a bottle of ale and a pretzel from Big Boss Brewing and then pick it up Oct. 2 at the brewer’s Casktoberfest event, which marks both Oktoberfest and England’s Cask Ale Week. As the name implies, there will be an abundance of cask ales to partake of from a variety of brewers.
Cary gets in on the action Oct. 3–4 with the inaugural Triangle Oktoberfest at MacGregor Village from 4–11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Expect a German band, traditional Bavarian food and—do I have to say it?—beer.
J. Betski’s in Raleigh is planning its annual Oktoberfest activities complete with multiple bands for Oct. 19 and Motorco in Durham hosts the Great Big Dtown Oktoberfest on Oct. 25 with burlesque and beer.
