Beerfest fans from around the world were saddened by the announcement in May that the Munich Oktoberfest, scheduled to kick off on Sept. 18, was canceled for the second year in a row due to the pandemic. Fortunately, here on Long Island, there are several in-person events returning this year to help celebrate this season highlighting German beer, food, and culture.
After canceling the event in 2020, Plattduetsche Park in Franklin Square will hold its annual Ompahfest on Sept. 19. Traditionally held on the day after the Steuben Day parade in Manhattan, the fest will feature live German music and dancing, games, a special Oktoberfest menu, and of course plenty of German beer. This year’s beer menu will include Barrier Frisch, a Kölsch made especially for the Plattduetsche by Barrier Brewing in Oceanside.
Oktoberfest season will continue to be celebrated at the Plattduetsche, Long Island’s premier German biergaten, through the rest of September and October with German music from bands including The Bratwurst Boys, Die Spitzbaum, and accordion rocker Alex Meixner on Oct. 3.
After scaling back its Dubtoberfest celebration in 2020, Destination Unknown Beer Co. (DUBCO) in Bay Shore is bringing back a beerfest format this year for the 3rd Annual Dubtoberfest on Sept. 18. The fest from 2-7 p.m. will feature German-style beers from 15 Long Island craft breweries along with music, food trucks, and a stein holding competition.
DUBCO brewed five German-inspired beers in preparation for Dubtoberfest, including Hanziskaner, a Kristallweizen-style ale similar in flavor to a Hefeweizen but with the yeast and sediment filtered out to produce a crisp body; Don’t Call Me Honey, Boy, a modern spin on a Kölsch brewed with honey, lemon and Lemon Drop black tea; and Gilgo Gose, brewed with Himalayan pink sale, guava, and passion fruit.
Blue Point Brewpub in Patchogue is celebrating Oktoberfest on the traditional dates of the Munich fest from Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, with German food specials, live music including a polka band, stein holding competitions, and of course German-style beers on tap.
After holding a virtual Oktoberfest event last year, TJ Finley’s in Bay Shore is holding its 14th Annual Oktoberfest celebration in person on Sept. 25. The fest at the pub and its outdoor biergarten will run from 3-9 pm and will feature German food, live music, German-style beers and a stein-holding competition.
HopWin’s Brewery in Bay Shore will hold its long-delayed Grand Opening celebration on Sept. 25, which in honor of the season has been named Hopwins Hoptoberfest. The event from noon-8 pm will feature German-style beers from HopWin’s including Hefeweizen, Helles, Dunkel, and Radler, along with German food, live music, stein holding contests, and axe throwing.
An Oktoberfest celebration will be held on Sept. 25 in downtown Riverhead at Grangebel Park overlooking the Peconic River. Hosted by Reflextions Riverhead, the event from 4-8 pm will feature live music, food, stein holding and beer from four local craft breweries: Long Ireland Beer, North Fork Brewing, Peconic County Brewing, and Tradewinds Brewing.
Long Ireland Beer Co. will hold its 8th annual Oktoberfest celebration on Sat. Oct. 9 at the brewery in Riverhead. Food trucks will provide German food to pair with the brewery’s Oktoberfest Munich-style Marzen and other brews. Long Ireland will hold its annual Stein Holding Contest and other fun contests including keg tossing and sausage eating. The festivities will run from noon-9 pm and the perennial movie favorite BeerFest will be shown on the big screen at the end of the night.
Tanger Outlets in Deer Park will host an Oktoberfest craft brew fest on Oct. 16 featuring tastings of locally brewed beer and cider. Running from 1-5 p.m., the fest will have live music and food will be available for purchase, including German specialties.
Garden of Eve Farm Brewery in Riverhead will hold an Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 16 with craft-brewed beers, live music, pumpkin picking, and a special Oktoberfest menu. Fun Fields tickets include hayrides, farm animals, a Bounce House, Pedal Kart track and other activities for the family.
Wherever you celebrate Oktoberfest this season, stay safe and Prost!
A full list of Long Island Oktoberfest events can be found at LIBeerGuide.com/li-oktoberfest
Bernie Kilkelly is the editor and publisher of LIBeerGuide.com.
For more food and drink coverage, visit longislandpress.com/category/food-drink.
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