Prost! Raise a stein and celebrate Oktoberfest at these suburban eateries and breweries
It's September, which of course means it's Oktoberfest.
Celebrated since 1810 in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is the world's largest celebration of Bavarian culture. Millions of visitors will drink millions of gallons of beer as they descend on the Bavarian capital in southeast Germany now through Oct. 3.
Fortunately for beer and pretzel lovers everywhere, Oktoberfest is celebrated around the globe. Here are some of the suburban breweries and restaurants where you can don your dirndl or lederhosen and raise a stein. Prost!
Temperance Beer Co., 2000 Dempster St., Evanston, will raise a stein to 10 years of brewing with their Oktoberfest party from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22. Enjoy half- and full-liter steins of their specially brewed Märzen-style lager while jamming to the oompah sounds of Jimmy's Bavarians, a family-oriented Lederhosen band, complete with a 12-foot Alphorn. Food from Goodstuff Eats BBQ arrives at 4 p.m.
Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, will again host three days of all-ages fun Friday through Sunday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. Last year's festivities drew over 5,000 revelers. The No Pants Polka Band will play authentic oompah music from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the main stage. Games and contests in and around the giant Oktoberfest tent include stein holding, hammerschlagen (nail driving), horseshoes, beer pong, flip cup, bags, and the all-new best legs in lederhosen and dirndl contests. Food from Rep's Place will be offered, as well as BCB's extensive menu of German craft beer highlighted by the featured Oktoberfest brew, the Big Ludwigski (a German Märzen Oktoberfest bier made with Munich malts and subtle hints of noble hops).
Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, will hold an Oktoberfest party from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, with German beer, food and live polka-style music. Contests throughout the afternoon include a stein-hoisting competition, best Oktoberfest outfit and a wiener dog beauty pageant. The $10 tickets can be purchased on their website and include a souvenir beer stein and a $5 food truck voucher. They'll also host an Oktoberfest beer dinner at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27.
HB Jones, 551 S. York St., Elmhurst, will highlight German food like brats, kraut and Wiener schnitzel, as well as Samuel Adams Oktoberfest and another rotating German beer on tap. Thursdays in October will feature stein-holding contests, with $25 going to the winner.
Riverlands Brewing Company, 1860 Dean St. Unit A, St. Charles, will celebrate through Oct. 3 with two special seasonal beers to go with their two other German-style beers on tap. Specially branded one-liter Oktoberfest steins, sold full or empty, sell out every year.
Houlihans, 2860 Showplace Drive, Naperville, will feature a seasonal menu including half-liter Samuel Adams Oktoberfest drafts and Bavarian pretzels, which they describe as bigger than your face. Only one way to find out.
City Works Eatery & Pour House locations in Wheeling, Vernon Hills and Schaumburg will offer German-inspired beers and bites through Oct 3. Highlights include smokehouse currywurst, pork schnitzel and German flatbread. Special Oktoberfest beers will be featured among their 90-plus local and global beers on tap. Old Town Pour House, another Bottleneck Management concept, will feature similar menu offerings at their locations in Chicago, Naperville and Oak Brook.