Where to Drink Beer During Oktoberfest in Metro Detroit

Fall is very nearly here and with it a whole lineup of seasonal beers are in the cusp of being released. With that in mind many metro Detroit organizations and a handful of the city’s best breweries are hosting Bavarian Oktoberfest events complete with ceremonial keg tappings, stein lifting contests, and German-inspired food. So strap on those lederhosen and dust off that chicken hat. Here’s a guide to the area’s biggest Oktoberfest bashes.

• Dakota Inn Rathskeller: German restaurant institution the Dakota Inn is known for its raucous Oktoberfest parties held each weekend from mid-September through Early November every year. This season’s festivities kick off at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 20 with a ceremonial keg tapping. Live music, German Oktoberfest beers, and traditional German food are always part of the package. Events continue on Fridays and Saturdays now through Saturday, November 2. Details: Call 313-867-9722 for reservations; admission is $3; bring a chicken hat, if you have one.
• Batch Brauerei: For the past five years, Batch Brewing Company has transformed into a Oktoberfest beer hall in honor of the September celebration. Expect German-style food and beer from Friday, September 13 through Sunday, September 15. Dressing up is encouraged; the Braueri will take a $1-off pours for people dressed in dirndls and lederhosen. Details: Tickets are $40 per person and include a 1⁄2 chicken meal (vegetarian option available), a 1-liter bier stein, and one stein fill (a la carte options are available); 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday (no ticket required on Sunday).
• Detroit Fleat: Ferndale food truck park and restaurant Detroit Fleat is throwing an Oktoberfest party with nine different breweries including Odd Side Ales, Griffin Claw, and Mikkeller. The restaurant will be serving Bavarian-style food alongside the regular food truck options and the event will feature live music. Details: Tickets are on a sliding scale from $18 to $40 and all packages include at least 8 tickets for beer samples.
• Oktoberfest in the Belt: The Skip and Batch Brewing Company are teaming up on Saturday, September 21 for an Oktoberfest party complete with German-style food, live music, and German-style beer. The event features two parts: One geared towards pet owners called Dogtoberfest and a later one without the dog treats. A portion of the proceeds benefit D.A.W.G., a no-kill animal shelter. Details: Tickets are $20 and include a commemorative mug with one free fill-up and an enamel pin; runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; drop by early with a dog from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and for the same price get all the same swag as well as dog treats.
• Bloktoberfest: Local brewery Atwater will once again host Bloktoberfest at the Rivertown Warehouse District location on Saturday, September 21. The event features beer releases, German-style food, and music. Details: The doors open at 1 p.m. for Bloktoberfest and music starts at 2 p.m.; tickets are $10 or $35 for VIP and include a beer glass with a free pint and swage.
• Dragonmead Oktoberfest Events: Warren-based brewery Dragonmead is hosting two rounds of Oktoberfest events. The first event is a casual pig roast with pints of German-style beer on Sunday, September 15. Then on Tuesday, September 17, the brewer is serving a four-course German-style meal paired with German-style beers. Details: The pig roast runs from noon to 6 p.m. and is open to the public with pints for $5 and meals for $15. The dinner runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is $30 per person.
• Oktoberfest at Farmington Brewing Company: Farmington Brewing Company is hosting an Oktoberfest party with a seasonal beer release and a pop-up by Deutschtroit. The menu features options like schnitzel, currywurst, and bratwurst. Details: The cost is $50 and includes a stein and a schnitzel plate.
• Oktoberfest Beer Tasting: McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar in Corktown is hosting a Bavarian beer tasting and German food buffet on Saturday, September 8. Details: Tickets are $30 per person; the event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Parktoberfest: Beacon Park is hosting its fifth annual Parktoberfest on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 with German-style food, seasonal beers and ciders, rootbeer floats for kids, music, and cornhole tournaments. Details: This event is open to the public; noon to midnight on Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday with kids’ activities running from noon to 5 p.m. each day.

• All Beer Here Coverage [ED]
• All EventWire Coverage [ED]