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Oktoberfest 2021: German beer, festivals, bratwursts & lederhosen

Oktoberfest 2021: German beer, festivals, bratwursts & lederhosen

Sep 10, 20215 min read

It’s that time of year when local bars, breweries, and other businesses treat us to a multi-week folk festival that runs from mid and late September to the beginning of October.

Can your lederhosen handle all of the shenanigans?

Whether you’d like to visit a specific place for your favorite beer or get a taste of more than one local brewery at the Button Brew House’s Oktoberfest, you’ve got plenty of options. Also, pay attention to the date because some are happening sooner than others.

Ready or not, beer you come.

1912 Brewing Company

2045 N. Forbes Blvd. #105
(Credit: coughing7colors.com)
(Credit: coughing7colors.com)

The brewery is celebrating Oktoberfest at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 1, featuring tasty beers, grub from Daniela’s Cooking food truck, and good times.

They’ll be pouring their very own Oktoberfest beer, the Metiche Märzen, which is a traditional Märzen, using Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops with notes of malt and a hint of sweetness.

At 7 p.m., they’ll be hosting their annual Stein Holding Competition and whoever holds the Stein (with a beer) the longest will win a 1912 Brewing prize.

For more information, follow 1912 Brewing Company on Facebook

Button Brew House

6800 N. Camino Martin #160
Facade at Button Brew House (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Facade at Button Brew House (Credit: Jackie Tran)

This is going to be a big and fun Oktoberfest that’s got several breweries setting up shop in one parking lot from noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 9.

For $40 per person, you’ll land a Button Brew House Oktoberfest 2021 ceramic Stein, along with three half-liter beer fills. For additional pours in the outdoor area, it’s $5 each or a dollar off 16-ounce pours if you’re drinking inside the taproom.

Also, you can get a dollar off at Button Brew House if you bring in your Stein after the event and until Friday, December 31.

Participating Breweries
  • 1912 Brewing Company
  • Beer Research Institute
  • BlackRock Brewers
  • Bone Haus Brewing
  • Borderlands Brewing Company
  • Catalina Brewing Company
  • Copper Brothel Brewery
  • Copper Mine Brewing Company
  • Crooked Tooth Brewing Company
  • Harbottle Brewing Company
  • MotoSonora Brewing Company
  • Old Ellsworth Brewing Company
  • Pinetop Brewing Company
  • Ranch Hand Brewing
  • Simple Machine Brewing Company
  • Ten55 Brewing Company
  • Tombstone Brewing Company
  • More breweries TBA

The food truck Haus of Brats will be parked out in front of the brewery, too, and live music includes Eric Schaffer from noon – 2 p.m., Liz and Pete from 2 – 4 p.m., and Brian Berggoetz from 4 – 6 p.m.

For more information and to get your tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Catalina Craft Pizza

15930 N. Oracle Rd.

Season 18 Episode 20 GIF by The Simpsons - Find & Share on GIPHY

The pizza spot is having a two-day celebration on Friday, September 24 – Saturday, September 25. The event came to fruition to support local businesses, restaurants, and the LOVAR Animal Rescue.

Day One: Friday, September 24 from 5 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Oktoberfest Networking Happy Hour
  • $10 online or $15 at the door
Day Two: Saturday, September 25 from 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Family-Friendly Oktoberfest Vendor Fair
  • Free admission
  • Live music, vendors, German food, free photo booth, and free face painting
  • Centre Stage Dance Studio performs at 2 p.m.

If you’d like admission to both days, it’s $25 per person. This includes access to the tent on “Day Two,” which features a German dish — two brats, sour croutons, chips, and a German beer or soft drink.

Also, bring along some canned dog food for LOVAR.

For more information, visit Catalina Craft Pizza on Facebook

Dillinger Brewing Company

3895 N. Oracle Rd. • 402 E. Ninth St.
Public Enemy Imperial Stout at Dillinger Brewing Co. (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Public Enemy Imperial Stout at Dillinger Brewing Co. (Credit: Jackie Tran)

There is something brewing on the planner for Dillinger Brewing — at both of their locations, too. Not much information has been announced just yet but the celebration is happening on Saturday, October 2 – Sunday, October 3.

Keep up with the latest by following Dillinger Brewing Company on Facebook

Dragoon Brewing Company

1859 W. Grant Rd. #111
Beer flight at Dragoon Brewing Company (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Beer flight at Dragoon Brewing Company (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Dragoon Brewing is throwing an Oktoberfest event on Saturday, September 25 inside the taproom.

They’ll be pouring a special new release beer, selling new merch, having outdoor activities, live music, and local food. Stay tuned for more details.

For more information, follow Dillinger Brewing Company on Facebook

MotoSonora Brewing Company

1015 S. Park Ave.
MotoSonora Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of MotoSonora Brewing Company

From 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, MotoSonora Brewing is kickin’ off its Oktoberfest celebration. They’ll be pouring their Marzen and releasing a Festbier in a one-liter German Stein that you’ll be able to take home — empty, of course.

Also, a Bratwurst and some authentic Oktoberfest music are included in the ticket, which is $35 per person and limited to just 200 tickets.

For more information, visit eventbrite.com

St. Philips Plaza

4280 N. Campbell Ave.

Proof Artisanal Pizza & Pasta, Reforma, and Union Public House are throwing a big party in the plaza for Oktoberfest at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 18.

The Bouncing Czechs are performing from 7 – 10 p.m. at the top of every hour with a live DJ mixed in to keep the party, beer, and sausages flowing. Plus, there’s going to be a “Best at the Wurst” sausage eating competition on the outdoor stage.

For more information and to register for the eating competition, visit St. Philips Plaza on Facebook

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Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonNow open in downtown Tucson: @gibsonmarkettucson🙌 Coming soon: @pearlloungetucson 11 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! 

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#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieFoodie Dinner at @Sonoranhouse_samhughes! Executive Chef @Culinarycowboy86d showcased delicious new dishes while guests enjoyed tastings and shared feedback. Thank you to Chef Gabby, @sonoranhouse_samhughes, and everyone who joined us!🥂 Want in on more foodie experiences? Here’s what Tucson Foodie Members get: • $6,000+ in gift cards & perks • Free monthly Foodie Hours • Exclusive R&D dinners • Festival discounts • Help keep Tucson Foodie free #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 

Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August.

🎉 Week 5 Winners
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More details in bioItalian Week runs now through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝🍕 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18!

Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. 

The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. 

More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉@Theironcheftucson returns to Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita this Saturday, July 18! Two-time reigning champion @chef_antbanks of @obonsushi is back to defend his title against AJ Mortazavi of @barnyard_az, winner of the 2026 Meet the Chefs competition. Once the secret ingredient is revealed, both chefs will race against the clock to create dishes judged on taste, creativity, and presentation. The event begins with the Culinary Experience from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring three hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, and classes, followed by the live Iron Chef Competition from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a 21+ event. More details and tickets at Tucsonfoodie.com🏆🎉

Tag us @TUCSONFOODIE in your food adventures!