Put away those puny wine glasses and bring out the heavy machinery. It’s October, and that means Oktoberfest.
While the real Oktoberfest in Munich completed its 16-day celebration on Oct. 3, Silicon Valley has just begun paying homage to German culture. If you couldn’t make it to Munich for a masse, read below to find the best upcoming Oktoberfest celebrations in Silicon Valley.
Peninsula Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Hiller Aviation Museum located at 601 Skyway Rd San Carlos, CA
Tickets: Admission tickets are $11–16.Beer tickets are $5 per pour. Beer steins are $5. For more info, go to http://hiller.org/event/oktoberfest-2016/.
Want to go to Oktoberfest but worried your kids will get bored? The Hiller Aviation Museum has you covered. Grab an early lunch of sausages, bratwursts, sauerkraut and more, and at 10:50 a.m. you will see what no other Oktoberfest celebration can boast: the airborne arrival of the Beer Meister.
“The Beer Meister explains the history of Oktoberfest and taps the first keg,” says Willie Turner, Vice President of Operations. “What better way to open an Oktoberfest at an aviation museum than to fly in by helicopter?”
As you try beers from Devil’s Canyon, Uncommon Brewers, and Anchor Brewing, let your kids explore the museum, which features over 40 unique aircrafts, invention labs, and a full-motion flight simulator. Between those and the traditional plus rockin’ music of the San Mateo Elks Band and Bayern Maiden, there will be no cases of boredom at this family-friendly Oktoberfest.
Campbell Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m.-5p.m.
Where: E Campbell Ave and N 1st St. Campbell, CA 95008. For parking info, go to https://www.downtowncampbell.com/event/oktoberfest-downtown-campbell-2016.
Tickets: Free!
If one day isn’t enough to satisfy your craving for German food, beer, and spirit, then come to the Campbell Oktoberfest. This two-day celebration will leave you happily stuffed and hungover, but don’t think this one is just for the adults. Bring your kids of all ages, for this weekend combines all the essential elements of an Oktoberfest with the traditional pieces of a street festival. There will be over 100 arts and crafts vendors, live music and dancing, bratwursts, German potato salad, frozen custard, and even ice cream sandwiches.
Faultline Brewing Company
When: Monday, Sept.26-Saturday, Oct. 29
Where: 1235 Oakmead Pkwy Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Tickets: Find Oktoberfest menu prices at http://faultlinebrewing.com/
If you’re looking for a more low-key Oktoberfest celebration, consider Faultline Brewing Company. Here, general manager Christa Shaw insists you will get true German food and beer from their special Oktoberfest lunch and dinner menu.
“Our owners are German so we really take pride in our food having that Bavarian flavor and reflecting what you can have in Germany,” Shaw says. “We have a special amber ale that we only brew once a year and sausages, pretzels, schnitzel, and smoked pork are always on the menu.”
All of Faultline’s beer is crafted onsite and the result is old-fashioned but authentic German beer.
“We have three beers that have not changed since our first day,” Shaw says proudly. “A lot of other breweries, their hefeweizen taste like citrus. That’s the American way. But ours have a banana and clove aftertaste — that’s a real German hefeweizen.”
