Even though the annual Oktoberfest in Munich has been canceled, don’t put away those lederhosen and dirndls just yet. You can carry out the German tradition from your home, or hoist a stein on a socially distanced patio.
This year would have marked the 210th anniversary of the massive beer festival held at Munich’s Theresienwiese Meadow. It was set to run Sept. 19-Oct. 4; this is the first cancellation since World War II.
Still, there are plenty of places around Atlanta preparing traditional Bavarian-style fare and pouring festbier for outdoor enjoyment or for gemütlichkeit (coziness) at home. Prost!
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Brick Store Pub
Holding many awards as one of the best beer bars in America, Brick Store Pub is known for its raucous Oktoberfest celebration. This year’s may be more subdued, but the pub gets to show off its new patio space for raising a glass of festbier. Expect lederhosen. On Sept. 26, chef Rian Tittle serves up a menu of traditional German favorites — schweinebraten, schnitzels, and others — to go along with the bar’s famous soft pretzels. The patio opens at 11:30 a.m. You can grab food and beverages to go from the stroll-through window in the adjacent alley.
125 E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-687-0990, brickstorepub.com.
Georgia Beer Garden
This is a Southern take on the classic beer garden, observing the tradition all year long. The expansive patio area is pet-friendly, and serves more than 100 beers and ciders exclusively from Georgia. For Oktoberfest, patio guests get free pretzels with every pitcher. To have a beer garden experience at home, order the Tailgate package, which includes two large soft pretzels, a pound of chicken tenders (plant-based are available for an upcharge), a six-pack of beers and two Joystick boozy sodas for $45, or $25 for food only.
420 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-458-5690, georgiabeergarden.com.
QuikTrip
For a speedy Oktoberfest celebration, perhaps in the car, pop by QuikTrip for a special Pumpkin Pretzel. The warm, soft dough, stuffed with pumpkin filling, includes a dusting of cinnamon sugar and a choice of dipping sauces. Also included in the fall Snackles line are pumpkin frappes, hot pumpkin lattes, iced pumpkin lattes and pumpkin-flavored cold brew and cold brew frappes.
Available at all Atlanta area QuikTrip locations, quiktrip.com.
Red’s Beer Garden
Red’s, located in Benteen Park, is all set for both Oktoberfest and Halloween. Enjoy Flipper’s German-style cheddarwurst sausages, pretzels and house-made beer cheese dip, along with a selection of bottled märzens and brews on tap. Beginning Oct. 1, Red’s will sell a complete pumpkin-carving kit, including a medium pumpkin, carving tools, a four-pack of Southern Tier Brewing Co. Pumpkin Imperial ale, a four-pack of Bold Rock Carolina apple cider, two koozies and a Halloween goody bag.
1328 Boulevard SE, Atlanta. 770-637-2299, redsbeergarden.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Second Self Beer Co.
Second Self has its beer garden set up all month long, just outside its taproom. Enjoy a selection of 15 Second Self varieties on tap, amid socially distanced seating. Co-founder Jason Santamaria recommends the brewery’s newest year-round beer, La Fria, as well as the fall-appropriate Molé Porter.
1317 Logan Circle NW, Atlanta. 678-916-8035, secondselfbeer.com.
The Tap on Ponce
The Tap, located inside Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall, has 56 wine and beer taps, as well as a large selection of bottled craft beer and wine. To represent the Bavarian way of celebrating, a perfect brew choice would be Weihenstephaner Festbier, an Oktoberfest-style lager. To make your at-home celebration authentic, on Oct. 1 the Tap is giving away a free Weihenstephaner Oktoberfest stein with any festbier growler or crowler fill ($5 for 16-ounce and $10 for 32-ounce).
675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-835-2844, atthetap.com.
Tucker Brewing Co.
Through Oct. 3, the beer garden at Tucker Brewing Co. transforms into Tucktoberfest. The festivities revolve around the release of Tucktoberfest märzen lager, and include live music, raising of the beer steins, a wiener toss and a special menu matching the German roots of most Tucker Brewing beers. Included will be giant pretzels, roast chicken, crispy sauerkraut bites, German charcuterie boards and even pretzel lobster rolls. Ordering is easy from the takeaway window.
2003 S. Bibb Drive, Tucker. 833-752-2400, tuckerbrewing.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Wild Heaven
Wild Heaven holds Oktoberfest Sept. 24-27, with German-themed menus and new craft beer releases at both locations. At the original Avondale location, guest chef Shay Lavi will be serving roasted chicken on a bun, schweinebraten pork roast, schweinshaxe (ham hock) on a bun, würstl sausage on a bun, brezen pretzels and käsespätzle cheese noodles. Brewmaster Eric Johnson invites guests to sip on Old Country 80 Shilling fall ale and popular Fest Beer in one-liter servings.
135B Maple St., Decatur. 404-997-8589; 1010 White St. SW, Atlanta. 404-254-2232, wildheavenbeer.com.
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