Willkommen to a beer-y good time of year: Oktoberfest.
You don’t have to travel more than 5,000 miles to enjoy the 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 Things To Do for more events.
Oktoberfest in Tucson (listed in chronological order)
Tucson Hop Shop
3230 N. Dodge Blvd., Unit H
Friday, September 15
From noon – 11 p.m., everyone’s favorite Hop Shop is hosting a stein-holding contest, food from Haus of Brats, and even more food from Ciao Down Pizza.
For more information, follow Tucson Hop Shop on Instagram.
Casa Marana
8225 N. Courtney Page Way #191
Saturday, September 16
Casa Marana is throwing a party for the first official day of Oktoberfest on Saturday, September,16 from 2 p.m. – 2 a.m. (that’s 12 hours of partyin’ in your lederhosen). The Haus of Brats food truck will be serving food in the parking lot from 2 – 9 p.m., there’s going to be an Oktoberfest Market on site from 2 – 6 p.m., and an annual stein-holding contest from 5 – 7 p.m.
For more information, follow Casa Marana on Facebook.
Dragoon Brewing Company
1859 W. Grant Rd. #111
Saturday, September 16
The brewery is hosting its annual Goonfest/Oktoberfest event with new beers, food by Trident Grill, games, Dragoon Brewing steins, and prize(s) for best-dressed lederhosen.
For more information, follow Dragoon Brewing on Facebook.
Crooked Tooth Brewing Company
228 E. Sixth St.
Saturday, September 23
The brewery will be releasing this year’s Oktoberfest brews and specialty one-liter steins. Seasonal beers include their Oktoberfest Lager and By Association, Crooked Tooth’s Mug Club Member voted Bavarian Style Hefeweizen. Plus, Anello, just across the alley, will be baking Bavarian-style pretzels.
For more information, follow Crooked Tooth Brewing on Instagram.
The Forty Niner Country Club
12000 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Saturday, September 23
The big party kicks off at 3 p.m. and will feature plenty of beer from local breweries, live music, a stein-holding contest, and more. If you’ve got a pair of lederhosen, toss ’em on because there ought to be a good handful of others dressed for the occasion.
Admission to the event is $35 per person and includes two beer tickets and one food ticket.
For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley’s Oktoberfest
10300 Ski Run Rd., Mt. Lemmon, AZ
Saturday, September 23 – Sunday, October 15
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. During the event, the sky ride usually runs and The Iron Door restaurant is open during regular hours.
This event runs on weekends only from Saturday, September 23 – Sunday, October 15. Dogs are not permitted during Oktoberfest.
For more information, head on over to visittucson.org.
Arizona Beer House
150 S. Kolb Rd.
Saturday, September 30
From noon – midnight, the east side taproom will have a “whole bunch of Oktoberfest-style beers on tap.” That’s music to our beer-loving ears! Also, the Haus of Brats food truck and Pies the Limit bakery will be on site.
Button Brew House
6800 N. Camino Martin #160
Saturday, September 30
The annual Oktoberfest event is one of the brewery’s biggest events of the year and proceeds benefit Project Insight — a non-profit organization that provides home care services to those with special needs.
On Saturday, September 30, more than 15 local and regional Arizona beverage producers will be on hand in Button Brew House’s parking lot, serving beer, wine, cider, and spirits. Plus, there’s food from 420 Taco and live music from Paul Opecenskty and Berggoetz Band.
General Admission Tickets are $40 per person and include a collectible Oktoberfest glass and four pours. VIP Tickets were $60 per person (they recently sold out) and included access to the VIP area beginning at noon, a pretzel necklace, three months of the Tucson Foodie Insider membership, and everything else included in General Admission.
For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Voltron Brewing Taproom
330 S. Toole Ave. #200
Friday, October 6
There’s something in the works over at the downtown taproom. Once we get word on what it is, which will likely involve beer, we’ll update this listing.
For more information, follow Voltron Brewing on Facebook.
Union Public House
4340 N. Campbell Ave.
Saturday, September 24
They’ll be hosting live music from the Bouncing Czechs — Tucson’s Polka Band for 22 years! Also, German beer and German food will be taking over St. Philip’s Plaza. This is a free event so bring the whole family down from 7 – 10 p.m. (don’t forget your lederhosen).
For more information, visit uniontucson.com.
Trail Dust Town
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Saturday, October 7
From 3 – 9 p.m., meet local and regional brewers Dragoon Brewing, Barrio Brewing, Crooked Tooth Brewing, Firetruck Brewing, Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, and Uncle Bear’s Brewery. Try a variety of beers, enjoy classic German food like brats and pretzels, and enjoy all that Trail Dust Town has to offer!
For more information, follow Trail Dust Town on Instagram.
The Hut Tucson
305 N. Fourth Ave.
Saturday, October 7
A little slice of Germany, right here in the Old Pueblo! This year they are partnering with the Autism Society of Southern Arizona, and all proceeds from this event will go toward supporting families of children who have received an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
For more information, visit oktoberfestaz.com.
1912 Brewing Company
2045 N. Forbes Blvd. #105
Saturday, October 14
The brewery is releasing one of their favorite Oktoberfest brews — the Metiche Märzen! They claim it’s the perfect companion for their extra-large Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese. Plus, Daniela’s Cooking food truck will be joining the fun with German specials and beer brats.
Don’t miss out on their stein-holding contest at 4 p.m. because they’ll be giving a gift card to the winner.
For more information, follow 1912 Brewing on Facebook.
Events Happening Outside of Tucson
Oktoberfest in Sierra Vista
3105 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista, AZ
Saturday, September 15 & Sunday, September 16 (Two-Day Event)
Enjoy two days of family fun and entertainment. They’ll have a variety of food vendors, live entertainment at Der Biergarten, beer (of course), and the Sun Valley Rides Carnival. They have their full schedule listed online.
For more information, follow the City of Sierra Vista on Facebook.
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.
