From brewery bashes to Tempe’s long-running fest and parties stretching from Glendale to Gilbert, there’s no shortage of places to prost up. Raise your glass at these seven Oktoberfest events.
Waltoberfest
Oct. 4-64056 E. Washington St.Right off the light rail tracks, Walter Station Brewery is the perfect place to enjoy a stein and skip the drive home. The brewery's Oktoberfest celebration, appropriately dubbed Waltoberfest, takes place over three days. On Friday night, the party gets started with a cask tapping and live music. The fun continues on Saturday with a packed schedule of events including a pickle brine drinking and pickle eating contest, men's and women's stein-holding competitions and live music. On Sunday, get creative with stein painting before testing your stein-holding skills. The festivities start at noon each day and the kitchen will be cranking out a special menu of Bavarian fare for the occasion.
OktoberWest
Oct. 56902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale The Westin Kierland Resort offers a distinctly Western take on the German beer festival. OktoberWest incorporates country flair into the Bavarian celebration. Pull on your cowboy boots and brush up on your line dancing, this event features live music courtesy of Jake Jones Band, The Kruse Brothers and more. Ride the mechanical bull, get fitted at the custom hat bar from Golden Desert Boutique and try your hand at games. A barbecue dinner and full bar are available for purchase. Tickets are $45, available on Eventbrite.
O.H.S.O. Brewery will host its first Oktoberfest at its outdoor Gilbert spot, The Park.
O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery
Oktoberfest at The Park
Oct. 5335 N. Gilbert Road, GilbertO.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery will host its inaugural Oktoberfest at its expansive outdoor Gilbert location, The Park. The afternoon event will include live music, costume and stein-holding contests and samples and swag from brewers including O.H.S.O., Desert Monks, Beer Research Institute and others. Tickets are $40 and include four 9-ounce beers, brewery samples and a meal. Food options include the choice of sauerbraten or bratwurst, which is served with cabbage and potato salad or potato chips.
Oktoberfest at Brat Haus
Oct. 5-63622 N. Scottsdale Road, ScottsdaleThis Old Town Scottsdale restaurant and taphouse is literally counting down the days until its Oktoberfest party begins with a timer on its website. Brat Haus, known for its gigantic Bavarian pretzels and 28 craft beers on tap, will host a weekend-long party. The festivities will include live music and contests for eating, stein-holding, best Oktoberfest attire and the most “Badass Beard.” Sample traditional Bavarian fare with a mug of beer. Tickets are available at Brat Haus. Entry is $10 for a single day or $15 for the weekend, with the option to add an Oktoberfest stein for $7.
Pedal Haus Oktoberfest
Oct. 12Multiple locationsPedal Haus Brewery has celebrations planned at each of its Valley locations. On tap at the downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler taprooms are drink and food specials, live music and competitions. Drink specials include $2 discounts on steins of Pedal Haus’ Oktoberfest, pilsner and Dortmunder beers. Guests can also purchase a branded stein for $17, which includes the first pour of one of those three beer selections. Pedal Haus will serve a special menu through Oct. 19 which includes a footlong jalapeno cheddar bratwurst and a crispy pork schnitzel. Those with a competitive streak can enter into the stein-holding and sausage-eating contests. Winners and runners-up from each location will compete in the brewery’s Oktoberfest Championship Smack Down on Oct. 19 in Tempe. Those who emerge victorious from each competition will receive a trophy and a $100 Pedal Haus gift card.
Pretzels, bratwurst, potato salad and strudel are among the German foods available at Four Peaks Brewing Oktoberfest.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Four Peaks Brewing Oktoberfest
Oct. 11-1380 W. Rio Salado Parkway, TempeThe Valley’s longest-running Oktoberfest is back for its 51st year, hosting its Bavarian-inspired festival at Tempe Beach Park. Four Peaks Brewing Oktoberfest packs in plenty of fun over three days. There’s local and German beer and plenty of pretzels and strudel samples. Activities for the entire family include carnival games, rides and live music on two stages. Watch the running of the dachshunds or lace up your sneakers for the Runnin’ for the Brats one-mile, 5K and 10K races. Pre-sale tickets are $20 for Friday and Saturday; Sunday entry is free. VIP tickets are $90 and include an exclusive stage viewing area, private bars and bathrooms, three complimentary drinks, one free food item and more. Proceeds from the event benefit the international exchange program Tempe Sister Cities.
Haus Murphy's will toast Oktoberfest over three weekends, with traditional food, beer and music.
Lauren Cusimano
Haus Murphy’s Oktoberfest
Oct. 11-12, 18-19, 25-265739 W. Glendale Ave., GlendaleGlendale’s classic German eatery Haus Murphy’s will celebrate Oktoberfest over three weekends this fall. The West Valley spot will serve its traditional fare and beer, with added oompah from Bavarian bands Guggenbach-Baum and Die Liedermause. The events take place from 5 to 9 p.m. each evening, and reservations are encouraged. Save your seats by calling 623-939-2480 or requesting online.
