Oktoberfest in Connecticut

Frosty steins of beer, a sea of lederhosen and more meat than Kobayashi can consume in a single sitting. In other words, it’s time to celebrate Oktoberfest, that hot mess of Bavarian culture. If you’re looking to celebrate outside the seasonal selection of beers available in your local package store, we’ve compiled our own list of local Connecticut events and restaurants. If you know of any we missed, please share and comment!

The Old Heidelberg | Throughout September | Bethel, CT

The Old Heidelberg is the place to be for Oktoberfest in Fairfield County on the weekends of September 10, 11 and 12; Sept. 17, 18 and 19; and Sept. 24, 25 and 26. The restaurant hosts these three Oktoberfest weekends under a tent in their Beergarten with music, a special menu and kid-friendly entertainment. The Old Heidelberg is located on 5 Stony Hill Road in Bethel, CT. Information at http://www.restaurantheidelberg.com/

Brass City Brewfest | September 11 | Waterbury, CT 
This weekend the Brass City Brewfest, less Oktoberfest and more beerfest, will offer just over 250 beers, 3 bands, seminars and a special Belgian beer tent this Saturday, September 11 at Library Park in Waterbury. Tickets start at $30 if you buy them in advance and $35 at the door, with a separate $10 ticket required for the Belgian tent. Information at http://www.brasscitybrewfest.com/.

Willimantic Brewing Company | September 20 | Willimantic, CT
The Annual Craft Brewers Oktoberfest Beer Tasting on September 20 from 6 to 9 pm will offer dozens of seasonal beers with a brewery tour and an event souvenir at their brewery in Willimantic. Tickets are $30 per person with $5 from every ticket sale donated to the American Cancer Society. Information at http://www.willibrew.com/.

New London Oktoberfest and Chowder Cookoff | October 1 |  New London, CT

Featuring more than 24 microbrews and over 100 beers on October 1, this New London festival held on the beach will also host live music with area restaurants battling for a chowder crown. Advance tickets are $30, and include tickets for beer and chowder tastings. Tickets available at www.newlondonrotary.org.

 

Tapping into Twain Oktoberfest | October 1 | Hartford, CT
Toast Mark Twain at the third annual Oktoberfest beer tasting and party at the author's Connecticut home in Hartford on October 1. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door and include tastings of 20 microbrews and snacks prepared by local restaurants. Proceeds benefit the Mark Twain House & Museum. For information, visit http://www.marktwainhouse.org/visitor/events or call 860.280.3130.

The Windmill | Year-round | Stratford, CT
Spicy hot dogs, weiner schnitzel, and brats are some of the must-eats according to Road Food who call this neighborhood corner tavern "worth planning your day around." When I called to inquire about an Oktoberfest menu, the owner told me that's pretty much what they serve all year-round. So if you want to celebrate without the pretention, this is your best bet. The Windmill Restaurant is located at 400 Hollister St., Stratford, CT.

Thomas Hooker Brewery | Saturday tastings | Bloomfield, CT

The brewery hosts weekend tastings that include their seasonal Oktoberfest brew every Saturday. For information on tours, tastings and events, visit http://www.hookerbeer.com/events/.