Cooler temperatures, the sound of dead leaves blowing down the street, football, bonfires, hoodies, unnecessarily pumpkin-flavored things everywhere, and Oktoberfest all make Autumn my favorite season and give ample opportunities to have a few beers with friends.
Here’s this year’s rundown of Oktoberfest events in the area, because anything you celebrate with food and beer is a worthy holiday in my book.
Oktoberfest server carrying 10 liters at once. Photo from scjody
If you’re as ready as I am, Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street in Philadelphia starts their 5th annual Oktoberfest this Monday, September 16, and they have a ton of awesome stuff lined up. I hear their food is amazing, and Brauhaus Schmitz is probably highest on my list of Oktoberfests I want to get to this year. On Saturday the 21st they’ll be closing down a block of South Street and setting up a huge beer tent. Every day next week will have different contests, events, and food and beer options so plan appropriately. South Street is also pretty easy to get to using public transport, and sounds like an awesome day trip. Missing this one would be just the wurst.
The next one is probably out of reach for me and many others, but starting Saturday September 21 is the 2 legit 2 quit, official, the real deal, the 180th Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Millions of people attend Bavaria’s famous celebration every year, and for good reason. Excessive amounts of beer and food, oompah music, lederhosen, the whole nine. If you’ve been to any Oktoberfest events in the US, you’re only really getting a small taste of the world’s largest fair.
I want to go to Germany at some point before I get too old anyway, so I’m just going to make sure my trip coincides with Oktoberfest in Munich.
Entrance to Oktoberfest in Munich from 2011. photo by JasonParis
The next event isn’t an Oktoberfest, but I wanted to include it because it’s Saturday September 28 and it sounds pretty awesome. Resorts Casino is doing their first ever Craft Beerfest, and for only $25 you can try almost 100 craft beers. There will be food and live entertainment too, and it sounds a lot better than a certain other Atlantic City beer event that’s less focused on beer and more overpriced every year.
Also that weekend but lasting both days is Oktoberfest Weekend at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. When I was just a wee lad in Yardley, PA, I always used to see the commercials for the Ren Faire and wanted to go. I actually almost forgot about it altogether until last month. My friend Kyle sent me a photo of the huge turkey leg he got there and I remembered that I really do want to go check it out. Some people think it’s really corny or lame, but those people won’t be the ones with a giant leg of turkey and a stein full of beer, feasting like a king.
The following week, on October 5, is Cape May’s annual Oktoberfest. I haven’t been to it before, but I hear good things. Cape May is a nice place, especially in the off season, and the addition of beer gardens should make it even better.
Lastly, on October 11 at the new Courtyard Marriott at Rowan is the 4th annual South Jersey Oktoberfest. The building on Rowan Boulevard has been the big news at school and this is a good excuse for me to go check it out. Plus all the proceeds from ticket sales go to the South Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross.
It looks like they’ll have a lot of good stuff going on that night and a bunch of good food. And there will be wine in addition to beer, so you can bring non-beer fans too. I also think it’s pretty cool that the German-American Cultural Society will be there so you can get your Oktoberfest knowledge up.
So if you, like me, won’t be flying to Munich anytime soon, there’s still plenty of Oktoberfest happening in our area. this year I’m trying to go to at least 2 or 3 of them, and if I do I’ll be sure to report back. And just for fun, here are some German words from Oxford Dictionary to get you in the Oktoberfest spirit
Tapped SJ 