23 Sept 26th-Oct 2nd, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Prost! 10 Oktoberfest events to raise a stein around Phoenix this fall. BY SARA CROCKER T he temperatures outside may not feel like fall, but beer is about to taste like it. The changing of the season means Oktoberfest events are springing up throughout the Valley. Now’s the time to dust off those dirndls and lederhosen, shine up those steins and get ready for beers, brats and Bavarian-style revelry. From brewery bashes to Tempe’s long- running fest and parties stretching from Wickenburg to Chandler, there’s no shortage of places to prost up. Raise your glass at these 10 Oktoberfest events. Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler Returning for its 15th year, the Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest promises German fare, canned cocktails and, of course, plenty of beer. SanTan Brewing Co. will return to Dr. A.J. Chandler Park to pour its locally-made ales, and the brewer will bring some friends. AZ LOC ALE Beer Co., Buqui Bichi Brewing, Craft 64, Pedal Haus Brewery, The Perch, QuartHaus and SanTan Spirits will serve drinks. The festival will also feature live music from bands including Stryker and Rock Lobster. Limber up and test yourself with a stein- holding or brat-eating contest, or keep it to a friendly game of beer pong or cornhole. Tickets start at $16 and are available online; kids ages 6 and younger get in for free. Fountain Hills Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28 12001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills The Four Peaks Rotary hosts a family- friendly, authentic take on Oktoberfest. Come dressed in your Bavarian best for the chance to win a prize, or compete by holding a stein or blowing an alphorn. A kids zone will have games and activities, such as face painting and pretzel necklace making. Sample German fare and visit the beer garden, which will serve Hofbrau beer, wine and nonalcoholic drinks. Music will be performed by German band Die echten Waldbuam. Tickets are $10 and available online; children ages 12 and younger get in for free. Greenwood Brewing Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28 922 N. Fifth St. The Roosevelt Row brewery’s Oktoberfest weekend of events starts with a ticketed comedy show hosted with Do Better Comedy. Festivities continue on Sept. 28 with live music, a stein-holding compe- tition and a best-dressed contest. Krautworx Street Food will have eats available to pair with Greenwood Brewing’s beers, including its Rosemary IPA and seasonal Harvest Diem spiced ale. Wickenburg Oktoberfest and Craft Beer Market Sept. 28 164 E. Apache St., Wickenburg The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild’s fall fest will include beer sampling, food trucks, live music and lawn games. Hosted at Throughout the fall, Oktoberfest celebrations will pop up all around the Valley. (Courtesy of Pedal Haus Brewery) Raise a stein, and test your ability to hold it up, at Pedal Haus Brewing’s four Valley locations. (Courtesy of Pedal Haus Brewery) Stone Park in Wickenburg, this year’s event is open to all ages and four-legged friends. Taste brews from Walter Station Brewing Co., Mother Road Brewing Co., Vulture Peak Brewing Co. and others. Tickets are available for purchase online. General admission tickets are $40 and include 24 tasting tickets of 3-ounce pours. VIP tickets are $60 and include an extra hour of tasting, VIP parking and a commemorative item. Designated driver tickets are $20. After sampling, guests can take home their favorite beers by purchasing cans to-go. Pedal Haus Oktoberfest Oct. 5 Multiple locations Pedal Haus Brewery has celebrations planned at each of its four Valley locations. On tap at the downtown Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler and Mesa taprooms are drink and food specials, live music and competi- tions. 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. OktoberWest Oct. 5 6902 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 cele- bration. 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. >> p 24 Raise a glass at the 51st Four Peaks Oktoberfest, running Oct. 11-13. (Courtesy of Four Peaks Oktoberfest) ▼ Food & Drink
