Oktoberfest Does Not Become Novemberfest

The Oktoberfest is a very important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Now, people around the world celebrate Oktoberfest and DC is no exception. Even with a pandemic you can count on the Oompah bands to play on: 

Dacha Kits
While festivities at Dacha Shaw and Dacha Navy Yard beer gardens have kicked off, this year’s celebrations are coming to your home. Dacha Oktoberfest Home Kits have three options, the Dachnik, Hon, and Premier. The Dachnik ($149) includes the Standard growler filled with fresh Fest Bier, an exclusive Dacha Oktoberfest t-shirt, Das Boot, and Dacha Oktoberfest Feast: sausages, pretzels, obatzda. The Premier ($599) includes a limited edition porcelain Weihenstephaner mug, two Dacha boots, 1-year private locker membership, and more. The Hone ($899) includes a complimentary flight of visiting beers at any Dacha Beer Club Wednesdays, four Dacha boots, a private locker for your beer stein, wine or liquor bottle or glass, and more. 79 Potomac Avenue SE; 202.350.9888; dachadc.com

Joe Thiesmann’s Restaurant 
Joe Theismann’s Restaurant is celebrating the season with $18 growlers of four seasonal beers for Oktoberfest. Guests can choose from either Samuel Adams Octoberfest, Left Hand Brewing Oktoberfest, Port City Oktoberfest, and Devil’s Backbone Brewing O’Fest. The promotion is for to-go orders only and runs from October 1st-October 31st while supplies last. 1800 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA; 703.739.0777; theismanns.com

Lena’s Beer Garden 
Lena’s Beer Garden is celebrating Oktoberfest, and the first 200 guests will receive a complimentary beer stein with their first beer. Guests can choose from four seasonal beers from local breweries, including Port City’s Oktoberfest brew. Lena’s will also offer traditional German fare throughout the month. Seating is first-come, first-served. 401 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA; 703.683.5330; lenaswoodfire.com

Feast by Nina May
Available October 16th and 17th, the Oktoberfest Feast box from Nina May features Chef Colin McClimans’ take on versions of three German classics, including Obatzda, a soft aged cheese mixed with spices and beer, Brezen, a large soft german-style pretzel and Würstl, a classic bavarian sausage. This feast box includes the Silver Branch Beer Package, featuring glass castle pilsener, quantum shift east coast ipa, chronicle tropical stout and gnomenclature saison. The Feast by Nina May team has created a special Halloween themed Feast box available the last week of October.  The box includes a mini pumpkin for carving, caramel apples with toasted peanuts, Nina May’s favorite candy, and more. 1337 11th Street NW; 202.518.3609; feast-dc.com 

Oktoberfest NRG
For Oktoberfest, NRG is featuring German wines in their 4-bottle bundle. The Oktoberfest Wine Pack ($70) includes Hansen-Lauer Bernkasteler Badstube QbA, Hans Wirsching Iphöfer Kalb Erste Lage Trocken, Weingut Pfeffingen Spätburgunder, and Schäfer Pinot Noir Mettenheimer. 2000 Mt Vernon Avenue; 703.549.5051; nrgprovisions.com

Stable
Stable co-owners Silvan Kraemer and David Fritsche have introduced seasonal to-go packages. New to-go packages include Landjäger (semi-dried sausage) with mustard, cornichons and pearl onions, fondue bread, homemade pretzels, and more. Guests can complement their meals with seasonal Swiss drinks including Apples and Pears made with Schladerer Pear Williams, Berentzen apple liqueur, Goldschlager, Stable’s rosemary cordial, and house-made apple bitters. 1324 H Street NE; 202.733.4604; stabledc.com

Wundergarten 
The annual Oktoberfest at Wunder Garten will feature five weekends of German food, music, contests, décor, and beer. Revelers will sip on beers in the Märzen-style hailing from Bavaria's oldest breweries like Spaten, Franziskaner, and Hofbräuhaus, as well as the best Oktoberfest, brews from local and regional breweries like Devils Backbone, Great Lakes Brewing, Port City Brewing, and Sam Adams Brewery. The Federalist Pig will offer a pig roast every Friday. Other food vendors include Caliburger, Old Europe, and more. Oktoberfest will also have raffles and giveaways with prizes including an authentic dirndl outfit, an authentic lederhosen outfit, and more. Dogtoberfest returns to the festivities every Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a guest appearance by Woof Bowl “Food Truck for Dogs” on October 18. Dogs and people are encouraged to dress up for the events. 1101 First Street NE; wundergartendc.com