Sometimes the best way to celebrate local culture is to hoist a brew in honor of a foreign culture. No, I’m not talking about Americans celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Please put down the Coronas. Take that sombrero off your cabeza. I’m afraid you’re a few beer holidays too late…
I’m talking about the many ways to celebrate the German tradition of Oktoberfest like a Utahn! It’s exactly what you think it is… polygamists galavanting in cheap halloween lederhosen and dirndls while getting giddy on German grog. See?
Perhaps this isn’t the norm, but the spirit of it is! Utah may be home to a shload of teetotalers, but the counterculture is alive, thirsty, and ready to party like it’s a royal wedding celebration! Seriously, though, Oktoberfest began as a big party in honor of the wedding of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese on the 12th of October 1810 in Munich, Germany. Horse races, carnival attractions, parades and the obvious accompaniment of fine libations made the annual shindig a hit. Though some activities have died out over the years, the tradition of consuming liters of lagerbier remains, and echos through Oktoberfest celebrations all over the world.
The small slice of land called Utah may be thousands of miles from the Oktoberfest in Munich, but those unable to travel to the beer mecca will find all the pork schnitzel, rauchbier, and festival games their German-loving hearts can handle right in the hub and backyard of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Put on your best fake German accent and loosen your lederhosen for an onslaught of bratwurst and the best line-up of German style brews this side of the Jordan River!
4th West Oktoberfest
WHEN:
Saturday, September 30: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday, October 1: 11am – 6pm
WHERE:
Mountain West Hard Cider
425 N 400 W, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
HOW MUCH:
$5 Admission, $2 Limited Edition Mug, Bring more $$$ for vendors and food trucks!
WHAT:
The 2nd Annual 4th West Oktoberfest was born from the friendship between neighboring alcohol producers Red Rock Brewing Company and Mountain West Hard Cider. With an empty lot on the block, the only reasonable conclusion was to put a tent up and fill it with music, beer, cider, games, and a lot of happy people! Kids and leashed doggies are also welcome… and leashed kids if they’re the scampering type. 😉
Oh, and the Crafty Beer Girls will have a small booth set up Saturday the 30th from 2pm-5pm! Come say “Hi” to Jenni and I!
Click here for more details on the festivities. Note: Alcohol will only be served in the limited edition mugs. Bring your mug from last year if you still have it, but we simply cannot fill your Das Boot. We hope you understand!
Snowbird Oktoberfest
WHEN:
Noon – 6:30 pm, Sat-Sun from Aug. 12 – Oct. 15
WHERE:
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
9385 S. Snowbird Center Dr.
Snowbird, UT 84092-9000
HOW MUCH:
Admission is FREE, Parking is $10 per car
WHAT:
A beer festival doesn’t last in Utah for 44 years unless they’re doing something right! The Snowbird Oktoberfest has been instilling a love for German beer and cuisine in Utahns since 1973. You can expect live music, games, craft vendors, a bratwurst eating contest, and a large selection of beer from local Utah breweries and other locations. Bring a mug from previous years, or buy one featuring the current years design to start a collection!
BohoFest
WHEN:
September 30th from 2-8pm.
WHERE:
Bohemian Brewery & Grill
94 E Fort Union Blvd, Midvale, Utah 84047
HOW MUCH:
Admission is FREE
WHAT:
The 5th Annual BohoFest brings the Oktoberfest celebration to Midvale, UT in the back parking lot of their brewery with all the German festivities you and your family can handle. Considering they run the German theme year-round at their brewpub, I’d say these guys are the experts on getting down in their dirndls! There will be fun, games, and Bohemian brews aplenty while Dj Bad Brad brings you the polka and party tunes you need to get your oompa on!
Basin Beer Fest
WHEN:
Sunday, Oct 1st 1:00PM – 6:00PM
WHERE:
Snowbasin Resort, Earl’s Lodge and Patio
3925 Snow Basin Rd, Huntsville, UT 84317
HOW MUCH:
Admission is FREE, Snowbasin mugs will be available for purchase, One Token = $2.50 = 6oz, Mug and token packages are available
WHAT:
Snowbird isn’t the only ski resort sporting an Oktoberfest! Take in the fresh mountain air at Snowbasin while sampling some of Utah’s best craft beer. Dig into some Bavarian inspired food and enjoy live music from Michelle Moonshine and The Gringos. If you’re feeling kingly and have $125 burning a hole in your pocket, you can be The King of Beer Fest! This package includes a “Mug with 20 tokens, a special King of Beer Fest crown, and front of the line service as long as you have the crown on. $125 – limited to the first (50) and after 50 we will sell out!”
Fisher Mansion Beer Garden
WHEN:
Saturday, October 7 at 12 PM – 6 PM
WHERE:
Albert Fisher Mansion and Carriage House
1206 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
HOW MUCH:
Admission is FREE
WHAT:
The recently revived A. Fisher Brewing Company will honor its roots on October 7th by throwing an Oktoberfest celebration at the grounds of the “historic mansion and carriage house of Albert Fisher, the original owner and brewer of A. Fisher Brewing Company”. Joined by Salt Lake City and Gallivan Center Events, Salt Lake City Parks & Public Lands Division, and Seven Canyons Trust, fest goers can learn about city projects while enjoying live music by Park City Polka Players and Pixie and the Partygrass Boys. To round out the momentous occasion, food trucks Komrades and Shaddai UT will be serving up delightful German, American and Mexican eats.
Did I miss anything? Tell us about other Oktoberfest events in Utah, and we’ll add them to the list!