ASHEVILLE – Prost! German-inspired Oktoberfest celebrations with beer, food and festivities are springing up this fall in Asheville and Western North Carolina.
Oktoberfest, observed from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6, attracts festivalgoers to Munich, Bavaria, for parades, music and plenty of food and beverages, including frothy steins of Oktoberfest beer.
The cultural event has been adopted globally to welcome the fall season and harvests. In WNC, adults-only and family-friendly events are planned. Seasonal dining and drink menus are rolling out with traditional German fare, cultural activities and attire and Oktoberfest beers.
Put on your best lederhosen and dirndl and head to these area Oktoberfest events.:
Highland Brewing’s Clawtoberfest
Highland Brewing’s 3rd annual Clawtoberfest, from noon-10 p.m. Sept 21, will include the release of its seasonal beer lineup, Clawhammer (Märzen lager), Distance Driver (kolsch), Festbier (“party” lager), Mountain Mama (hefeweizen) and Dunkelweizen (dark wheat).
Portions of the proceeds for Clawhammer go to Highland’s Pints with Purpose partners, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
Festival activities will include a keg roll and stein hoist. A costume contest with the Best Dressed Awards for adults and groups. The Meadow Market featuring local vendors will be open Sept. 21-22.
Lagerhosen and Hustle Souls will perform from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., respectively.
Food trucks El Kimchi, Mountain View BBQ, The Blue Cardinal and Smokee’s Pizza will rotate from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Clawtoberfest, a free and family-friendly event, will be hosted in the taproom and Meadow at Highland’s main campus, 12 Old Charlotte Highway in East Asheville. For more, visit highlandbrewing.com.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s Oktoberfest
On Sept. 21, kickoff Oktoberfest at AMB’s Mills River taproom, 46 North Mills River Road, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with new beer releases, German pub fare, games ― like kids’ ax throwing ― and live music.
Food specials, offered at the taproom through Oct. 5, will include brats, jumbo pretzels, pork schnitzel sandwiches, apple strudels and German potato salad.
Get full stein pours of select beers. The Iceberg slushy made with tequila and house Orgeat and garnished with Underberg will be another drink special.
The festival is for adults ages 21 and up early. Admission ranges from $20 to $100.
General admission, $55, includes a tasting cup and access to all the brewery vendors and more than 80 beer, spirits, and wine styles. VIP tickets allow guests early entry at 1 p.m. and exclusive access to a VIP area with complimentary German food and full-sized drinks at a cost of $100. Designated driver tickets excluding access to alcoholic beverages are available for $20. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.
Asheville Oktoberfest
Asheville Oktoberfest, hosted by Asheville Downtown Association, is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, downtown.
More than 20 breweries and craft beverage makers will pour local favorites, Oktoberfest beers and other seasonal drinks.:
Traditional German foods, including bratwurst, will be available from vendors Blunt Pretzels, Haus Heidelberg, Bear’s BBQ, Big Foot Longs and Smasheville.
Lederhosen band will perform live. Oktoberfest games, sponsored by Aloft Hotel, will be hosted by Asheville Sports and Social Club.
Test your skills with a game of Hammerschlagen ― who can drive nails into a wooden beam the fastest? At 3 p.m., test your strength in a stein-hoisting competition to win a $100 AMB gift card and an engraved trophy. Andy Ferrell and Kevin Daniel will provide live musical entertainment.
The event is for all ages and the suggested donation is $5 at the door. For more, visit amb.beer.
Boone Fall Fest Weekend
Buskers Fest will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 with local musicians, magicians, dancers and visual artists showcasing their talents in the streets of Boone.
The inaugural Boonetoberfest, from noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 5, will feature festive activities and competitions, and local businesses will offer special fall menus. Biergartens and tap takeovers are planned at Lost Province Brewing, South End Brewing, and Fizz Ed.
Admission to the family-friendly events is free. For more info, visit watauga-arts.org/buskersfest.
Thirsty for more?
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Lookout Brewing’s Oktoberfest. Noon-9 p.m. Sept. 21 at 103 South Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain. lookoutbrewing.com.
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Oktoberfest at Hillman Beer. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 28 at 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. hillmanbeer.com.
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Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5k. 7:20 a.m.-noon Sept, 28, presented by Kick It Event Management. The race begins at Hi-Wire Brewing’s RAD Beer Garden, 284 Lyman St., Asheville. kickitevents.com.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and covered the arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Oktoberfest to Clawtoberfest: German-style festivals to attend in WNC
