Willkommen to a beer-y good time of year: Oktoberfest.
You don’t have to travel more than 5,000 miles to enjoy beer and bratwurst-laden festivities this year. As a matter of fact, many breweries around town are bringing the Bavarian culture to Tucson along with flowing pints of beer and fun. It’s definitely not the wurst way to spend a day unless you’re planning on downing some brats.
This round-up will have you enjoying the beer necessities in no time.
We’ll update this list as events continue to pop up make sure to pay attention to the dates (some of these are happening sooner than others). Also, don’t forget to check out our calendar for more events.
Oktoberfest in Tucson
Arizona Beer House
150 S. Kolb Rd.
Saturday, September 28 (11 a.m. – midnight)
“Join us ALL DAY for our 10th annual Oktoberfest celebration featuring Haus of Brats, Pies the Limit, and a ton of great Oktoberfest beers from around the state, the country, and the world! We’ll also have a huge jumping castle for the kiddos, and Those Dudes with live music from 5 – 8 p.m.”
Button Brew House
6800 N. Camino Martin #160
Saturday, October 5 (noon – 5 p.m.)
The annual Oktoberfest event is one of the brewery’s biggest events of the year! Tickets are available now but limited (purchase yours ASAP). Haus of Brats food truck will be on-site as well as Justin from Art & Sol Tattoo: Beer-Themed Tattoos for $50. Also, they’re hosting a German Costume Contest (awards for Best Male and Best Female) as well as a Stein Holding Contest!
Tickets:
- VIP (noon – 5 p.m.) – ONLY 25 Tickets Available. $49 for the following: Access One Hour Early. Collectible Button Brew House Oktoberfest Glass. Five nine-ounce beer pours. Pretzel Necklace. Three months of Tucson Foodie Insiders membership.
- General Admission (1 – 5 p.m.): $29 ($39 at the door) for a Collectible Button Brew House Oktoberfest Glass with Three nine-ounce beer pours.
- Additional Festival Pour Tickets: $6 each
Featured Breweries:
- Ballpark Brewing
- Brick Box Brewery
- Buqui Bichi Brewing
- Catalina Brewing
- Corbett Brewing
- Craft Ohana (Maui Brewing Co & Modern Times Beer)
- Harbottle Brewing Co
- Screwbean Brewing
Sponsors:
- Tucson Foodie
- Aztec Embroidery & Screenprinting
- Medicare Mike
Casa Marana
8225 N. Courtney Page Way #191
Saturday, September 21 (11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.)
“Join us for our biggest event of the year! Enjoy mouthwatering German food from the Haus of Brats food truck, compete in our pretzel-throwing and stein-holding contests, and show off your best Oktoberfest attire in our costume contest.Savor authentic German beer and soak up the festive atmosphere. It will be a day full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Don’t miss out on this epic celebration. Prost!”
Community Foundation of Southern Arizona
5049 E. Broadway Blvd.
Thursday, September 26 (5:30 – 7 p.m.)
“Get to know our CF Campus nonprofit tenants, community, and staff with games, raffle prizes, and food from Haus of Brats (vegan/vegetarian options provided). Please RSVP for free via the link to ensure there is enough food and refreshments for all.”
Cowpony
6510 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Saturday, October 5 (begins at noon)
“Come celebrate Oktoberfest at the World Famous Cowpony! Beer-soaked brats will be provided, and there will be specials on Samuel Adams Octoberfest (on tap) and Jagermeister. The talented Jack Bishop will be performing at 2 p.m., so show up before to grab food, drinks and laughs with Jay and the rest of the crew.”
Crooked Tooth Brewing Company
228 E. Sixth St.
Saturday, September 28 (begins at noon)
“Oktoberfest is happening again! We are working hard to get all the things prepared! It is an all-day event or while supplies last.”
Beginning at noon they’ll be offering:
- A newly designed ceramic mug! Available with or without a fill of delicious beer
- Release of a new Hefeweizen and Munich-Style Dunkel
- One-Liter Stein pours
- Classic German food including sustainably sourced all pork brats with sauerkraut. Bavaria-style pretzel with house-blended mustard.
- German music
Dove Mountain Brewing Company
12130 N. Dove Mountain Blvd.
Saturday, September 28 (begins at 7 p.m.)
“ZeeCeeKeely “will be in Tucson so get ready for some Roots Rock Reggae Dub Sun-Baked Desert Style Reggae.” Plus, there’s plenty of beer to ring in another successful Oktoberfest.
MotoSonora Brewing
1015 S. Park Ave.
Saturday, September 21
Starting at noon, MotoSonora is throwing its annual Oktoberfest party with a stein holding contest at 2 p.m., mariachi at 4 p.m., and bratwurst all day!
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley’s Oktoberfest
10300 Ski Run Rd., Mt. Lemmon, AZ
Saturday, September 21 – Sunday, October 13
“Fun for the entire family! Enjoy German beer, authentic Oktoberfest food, live traditional German-style music and dancing on the large outdoor dance floor, children’s games, and beautiful views with fall colors at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley in Coronado National Forest. During the event, the sky ride usually runs and The Iron Door restaurant is open during regular hours. This event runs WEEKENDS ONLY beginning the weekend of September 21st and ending the weekend of October 13th. No dogs permitted during Oktoberfest.”
Omni Tucson National Resort
2727 W. Club Dr.
Saturday, October 6 (5 – 11 p.m.)
“Get ready to raise your steins and celebrate Oktoberfest in style! Join us at Legends Bar & Grill for an evening of festive fun, delicious German-inspired cuisine, and live music.”
What’s in Store:
- Live Music: The Peter Kron Duo
- German Beer Specials: Sierra Nevada, Weihenstephaner, and other top breweries
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
115 E. Broadway Blvd.
Saturday, September 21
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the brewery… Oktoberfest! Join us all day Saturday, September 21 for freshly baked pretzels and stein-full beers! We’ll have these beers flowing into a stein all weekend long: Eiskalt, our Oktoberfest-style Lager, Clara Vida Super Lite Radler (with Lemonade!), and Hef, our Bavarian Hefeweizen.”
Trail Dust Town
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Saturday, October 5 (3 – 9 p.m.)
“Come join the fun at Trail Dust Town’s 10th Annual Oktoberfest! Enjoy local craft beer, delicious German food, live music, as well as amusement rides, and Western fun at Tucson’s favorite Old West destination, Trail Dust Town! We will have bratwurst, soft pretzels, and apple strudel, as well as snack and beverage options. The world-famous Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse will be open as well to help satisfy any steak cravings.”
Participating Breweries:
- Barrio Brewing Company
- Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
- Ranch Hand Brewing
- BlackRock Brewers
- Crooked Tooth Brewing Company
Events Outside of Tucson
Oktoberfest in Sierra Vista
1 S, Elks Ln.
Friday, September 27 & Saturday, September 28 (Two-Day Event)
“We are kicking off our Annual Lodge Oktoberfest on Friday (rain or shine). We’ll have music by the Sierra Vista Community Band, great food, and of course — beer!”
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt 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.
