Oktoberfest isn't just for the Germans. Every year more and more breweries, bars, bottleshops and festivals all across Australia are getting on board with their Bavarian brethren in celebrating good beer and good times.
Below you'll find a guide to many of the Oktoberfest events happening around the country – many with free tickets and free beer for Crafty Cabal supporters.
Royal Melbourne Oktoberfest – September 23 (VIC)
The event with arguably the greatest claim to an authentic Oktoberfest experience Down Under is the one at the Royal Melbourne which is hosting all six of the German breweries that pour their wares at the festival home in Bavaria. Expect all the traditional trimmings like oompah bands, folk dancing, pork hocks, schnitzels, bratwurst, pretzels and pastries.You can get more information and Crafty Cabal specials here.
Oktoberfest at The Public Brewery – Sept 29 (VIC)
Join the crew at The Public Brewery on AFL Grand Final holiday day as they do Oktoberfest their own way: by launching their own Märzen and Altbier in the company of several other German style beers from fellow Victorian brewers – think along the lines of Bridge Road's Hoptoberfest and Riders Brew Co's Slamdunkel – and even something special on tap from one of Germany's finest breweries. They'll have one-off branded steins available on the day and there's no need to book – though you'd be well advised to get in early.
Crafty Cabal Member offer at The Public Brewery: $50 Off A Brew Day At Public Brewery
Kranski at Brewski – Sept 30-Oct 1 (QLD)
For one weekend, top Brisbane beer bar Brewski transforms into Kranski as they celebrate Oktoberfest like few others. They’re turning their taps over completely to the beers from the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephan, and serving them up in stein sized servings while the kitchen will be pushing out freshly smoked kranski and schitty. They also promise to dispense with any oom-pah bands – instead it’ll be German metal, electronica and techno all day and night. Das ist gut, ya.
Crafty Cabal Member offer at Brewski: 2-FOR-1 Schooners!
Oktoberfest at Hope Estate – Sept 30-Oct 1 (NSW)
Indulge in German style beers with comforts like big screens showing the footy finals when Hope Estate hosts its annual Oktoberfest. While raising a stein or two (preferably of their German beers like the recent gold medal winning Munich lager) you'll also be able to enjoy beer masterclasses, multi-course lunchtime feasts and heaps to keep the kids happy at this family friendly event. You can find more details here.
Oktoberfest at Pumphouse Sydney – Sept 30 to Oct 8 (NSW)
Starting on September 30 The Pumphouse will be throwing its taps open to German and German-inspired beer for a week of Oktoberfest celebrations. Traditional lagers and hefes from the likes of Weihenstephaner will be pouring next to locally made märzen, German IPA, roggenbier and more. The kitchen will be coming to the party with whole pork knuckles, schnitzel, bratwurst and bretzel.
Hoptoberfest at Hobart Brewing Company - Oct 7 (TAS)
Where most Oktoberfest events celebrate the humble lager, the Hobart Brewing Company is following a fresh and hoppy bent for their Hoptoberfest. They'll be releasing a new Aussie pale ale, this year's Colorado IPA and two collaborations with their friends from Winston Brewing. There'll also be a brewer's Q&A in the afternoon, food trucks will be parked up, the barbecue will be firing and there's a big lineup of live music all day.
Oktoberfest at Stein's Taphouse – Oct 7 (SA)
From Bavaria to the Barossa, Stein's Taphouse is doing its part to ensure South Australians don't miss on an Oktoberfest experience as they serve up traditional fare like giant bratwurst, jumbo pretzels, rye, oom-pah music and, of course, plenty of beer. Somewhat ironically they're not serving steins at Stein's, but they are doing pints at schooner prices from 1pm-5pm and if you come dressed in your finest German garb you'll get your first beer free.
Craftoberfest at Cutty Cellars – Oct 7 (NSW)
Join the Cutty Cellars crew in Crows' Nest as they invite 20 stallholders to their carpark to set up a mini festival. You'll get to sample some traditional German beers from the likes of Weihenstephan alongside some less than traditional ones from locals like La Sirene, Akasha and Six String. Get more info and Crafty Cabal freebies here.
Block n Tackle Oktoberfest - Oct 7 (NSW)
You've got two options to join enjoy Oktoberfest with the Block n Tackle team. The first is to grab a ticket to their epic lunch banquet with and at Julie's Place which will see a new Hefeweizen and Märzen released alongside kransky and crackling pork. schnitzel and strudel and more. Or you can just head to the brewery where they'll be tapping the new beers – and if you're lucky their imperial stout vertical tastings will still be pouring too.
Seven Sheds Oktoberfest - Oct 7 (TAS)
A less traditional Oktoberfest in Tassie takes place in Railton where Seven Sheds has invited the folks from Steamfest with their vintage steam tractors and their friends at Vineyard Seafood Restaurant to cook up pizzas and, well, seafood. Although, if you do turn up in traditional German lederhosen or dirndl they'll give you your first beer free. Doros are open from midday to 4pm.
A Ballistic Oktoberfest at Ballistic Brewing - Oct 7 (QLD)
For their Oktoberfest celebrations, Ballistic Brewing transforming the brewery into a beer hall filled with leiderhousen, dirndls, würstl, sauerkraut, brezels, beer barrel racing and a couple of freshly made German style beers. It all kicks off at about 1pm.
Oktoberfest at Mornington Peninsula Brewery - Oct 7 (VIC)
Enjoy steins filled with speciality Oktoberfest beers as Mornington Peninsula goes all German all day. You'll be able to enjoy them alongside traditional bratwurst and sauerkraut (and less traditional pizzas). This is a kid-friendly event and fancy dress is encouraged.
Oktoberfest at Newstead Brewing – Oct 7 (QLD)
After last year's sell out event, Newstead will again be transforming its Doggett Street brewery into a German themed beer hall. For the occasion they'll be tapping six German inspired beers which you can enjoy alongside a German a la carte menu to the tunes of a traditional German band. It'll all be really very German, and fancy dress is encouraged. This is a ticketed event and you can get yours here.
Crafty Cabal Member offer at Newstead Brewing Co: FREE Pint!
Otway Oktoberfest 2017 – Oct 7 (VIC)
Prickly Moses is inviting nine of its mates from the brewing world to join them for their annual Oktoberfest shindig – one the biggest and longest running in Australia. There will be all the usual Bavarian inspired offerings plus brewery tours, masterclasses and meet the brewer sessions. Find out more here.
Oktoberfest In The Gardens Melbourne – Oct 14 (VIC)
If sitting in the biggest beer hall Australia has ever seen sounds like the way you'd like to celebrate Oktoberfest, make plans to join 5000 fellow revellers at Melbourne's Oktoberfest In The Gardens. You'll be able to enjoy beer from German breweries including Weihenstephan, Hofbrau, Paulaner, Lowenbrau, Spaten, Erdinger, Tucher, Hundehaus and more alongside brass bands, yodellers, roving accordion players, pretzel fräuleins and, of course, the obligatory steins. Get more details and free tickets for Cabal member here or sign up to become a Crafty Cabal member and get a free ticket worth more than $70 here.
Oktoberfest at Hemingway’s Brewery – Oct 14 (QLD)
In what may well be the biggest celebration of beer Port Douglas has seen, Hemingway's Brewery is using the occasion of Oktoberfest as a perfectly valid excuse to host a showcase of 40 different tap beers. You'll be able to try them all while being entertained by an oompah band, live music, keg competitions, fancy dress competitions, street food and more. Tickets are $10 which gets you a branded stein to sip from.
A Little Bavarian Feast at Little Creatures - Oct 20 (WA)
At their Fremantle home, Creatures' German executive chef will be preparing three courses of traditional Bavarian food to go with five beers – including the latest Single Batch release, the Oktoberfest Reinhold, and a festival beer pouring just on the night. Tickets can be booked here.
Scottstoberfest – October 21 (TAS)
Oktoberfest + Scottsdale = Scottstoberfest. Brought to you by the good folks at Little Rivers Brewing, the Scottsdale Recreation Ground will become a little bit Bavarian as it flows with good beer, German food, live music and games. And with return buses from Launceston to Scottsdale, there's really no excuse.
