Despite its name, Oktoberfest officially begins in September. The German beer festival and funfair, founded in Munich in the early 1800s, begins Sept. 20 and runs through the first Sunday in October.
Munich’s official Oktoberfest goes all out with two weeks of parades, concerts, church services and, of course, plenty of food and drink. But cities all over the world — from Qingdao, China to Blumenau, Brazil — join in on the annual folk festival fun with celebrations of their own come fall. And Sonoma County would be remiss if it turned down a chance to party, Wine Country-style.
Whether you’re a German transplant, beer bro or simply a fan of good food and camaraderie, these local spots have you covered for an awesome Oktoberfest. Próst!
Where to party
Lagunitas Brewing Company
The nationally renowned Lagunitas Brewing will hold its second annual Oktoberfest celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 20-21, at the Petaluma taproom. The brewery will be serving its Lagufest Lager, released at last year’s celebration, in addition to Bavarian bites such as bratwurst, schnitzel, and mashed potatoes and gravy. There will also be live polka, Zydeco music, and yodeling and stein-holding contests (with prizes). Entry is free and all ages are welcome. Oktoberfest attire is encouraged. Reserve a spot on OpenTable. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-284-1020, lagunitas.com/taproom/petaluma
Sebtown Strutters Oktoberfest Celebration
Sebtown Strutters, a Sebastopol jazz and Dixieland band, will celebrate Oktoberfest with a spirited performance at the Sebastopol Community Market. The free celebration will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 21, on the market’s outdoor Mel Minton Memorial Stage. 6762 Sebastopol Ave., 707-407-4020, cmnaturalfoods.com
Wisconsin Picnic
The Wisconsin Picnic of Sonoma County, a Bay Area tradition since 1939, will start at 12:30 p.m., Sept. 27, at Galvin Park in Santa Rosa. While the annual event focuses on America’s Dairyland, the festivities have all the hallmarks of Oktoberfest food and revelry. The family-friendly picnic will include live polka music, a cash-only raffle, an ice cream and spirit contest, and a potluck featuring brats, cheese, beer and more. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite Wisconsin dishes and recipes to share, and should bring their own tableware and cooler. Galvin Community Park, 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, instagram.com/wipicnicsoco
Crooked Goat Brewing
Crooked Goat’s Sebastopol taproom will host an Oktoberfest celebration starting at 3 p.m., Sept. 27. The event will include fall beer releases, live music from Alpen Band from 4-7 p.m., food from The Wurst caterers from 3-9 p.m. and limited edition glasses for sale. 120 Morris St., Sebastopol, 707-827-3893, crookedgoatbrewing.com
Where to eat
Tisza Bistro
With their lacquered mahogany crust scored to reveal an ivory interior, the pretzels at Healdsburg’s Tisza Bistro put the ballpark variety to shame. And these aren’t typical Bavarian pretzels, either. In a nod to his ancestors, Tisza’s owner and chef, Krisztian Karkus, makes them in the Swabian style, thick around the edge with a thinner dough in the center twist, meaning you get the best of both worlds — soft and crunchy — in each pretzel.
The pretzels are served with Tisza’s housemade weisswurst, on the Oktoberfest platter for two, or on their own with a side of whipped butter and mustard, a condiment Karkus calls an American affectation that he provides because customers demand it. His preference is for butter only. “A pretzel with butter and a hefeweizen — it’s one of the simple joys of life.”
The Oktoberfest platter also includes classic veal schnitzel, bratwurst, duck leg, potato dumpling, red and white cabbage, spaetzle with mushroom sauce and cucumber salad. The full menu features plenty of other German dishes as well, including four kinds of schnitzels, Bavarian-style bratwurst and warm apple strudel. 165 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-291-5193, tiszabistro.com
Sarah’s Kitchen at Highland Dell
For authentic German cuisine right on the Russian River, venture to Sarah’s Kitchen tucked inside Monte Rio’s Highland Dell Lodge. The menu includes bratwurst served with stoneground mustard; jaeger schnitzel (breaded and pan-fried pork tenderloin with a creamy mushroom sauce); traditional German spaetzle (soft egg noodles); potato pancakes (add apple sauce or sour cream for $1); sauerkraut braised with bacon and onion; and red cabbage braised with onion and apple in cranberry juice. There are some other Eastern European dishes on the menu as well, like Vienna-style schnitzel and Hungarian-style goulash (a beef stew with onion and bell pepper). The lodge’s Riverview Bar has some German beers on its menu alongside a list of local wines. 21050 River Blvd., Monte Rio, 707-865-2300, highlanddell.com
Road Trip
After eating around the globe and operating German restaurant Brot for a handful of years, chef/owner Crista Luedtke knows a thing or two about Bavarian eats. Her Guerneville restaurant Road Trip pays homage to global cuisine, with a few German-inspired dishes on the menu. Enjoy hot pretzels served with mustard and whipped butter, and a summer spaetzle made of buckwheat and mixed with squash, blistered cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and herb pesto sauce. A variety of local brews are available on tap, alongside a Belgian wheat beer. 16218 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-6102, eatatroadtrip.com
Stockhome
While this Petaluma restaurant specializes in Swedish and Middle Eastern cuisine, a few of its dishes are popular in Germany. Find grilled bratwurst with mustard and grilled onion on a brioche bun; Wiener schnitzel (breaded pork loin) served with dill-seasoned marble potatoes, peas and gravy; and frankfurters served with crispy onion, house mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato and a side of mashed potatoes. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com
Brewsters Beer Garden
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Brewsters’ lively beer garden among friends and family. Select a local brew from the draft list to accompany their salted pretzel, served with beer cheese and housemade Carolina barbecue mustard. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
The Bejkr
Award-winning baker Mike Zakowski churns out perfectly golden, wood-fired pretzels, available at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. 707-938-7607, thebejkr.co
Wooden Petal
This Santa Rosa pretzel shop has a dazzling selection of award-winning twists. The pretzels are available in boxes of three, eight or 15 and include such flavors as salt, herb, cheese, jalapeno and cinnamon. House dips include queso, cheese and onion, spicy sweet mustard and sweet cream cheese icing. Also find breakfast-stuffed pretzels and pretzel bun sandwiches. 4984 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-695-1880, woodenpetal.com
Steinhouse
In addition to Belgian chocolates and other European confections, Steinhouse has a collection of unique beer steins for sale — so you can toast in traditional Deutschland fashion. You can also find jars of artisan mustard to complement those Bejkr pretzels. 631 Fourth St., Suite 18, Santa Rosa, 707-852-4083, steinhousechocolates.com
For more places to wet your whistle with local beers to celebrate Oktoberfest, check out some of our favorite Sonoma County breweries.