In a perfect world, trees would shed not autumnal leaves but rather pumpkin ales and marzen beers for us to frolic in. Thankfully, Chicago offers a bounty of fall beer events, where we can all bask in the golden-amber luster. From Revolution Brewing’s Oktoberfest Party and St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest to Chicago Bacon and Beer Classic and Logan Square Beer Festival, fall is officially here. Start planning your weekends accordingly.
Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beer Festival | Sept. 22
When: 5–9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Delilah’s (2771 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-472-2771)
How much: $20
The Lincoln Park bar celebrates its 10th annual tasting of Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers with more than 50 options on offer, including five vintage Ayinger Oktober Fest marzens and three vintage Southern Tier Pumking imperial pumpkin ales. Other tasting options include Paulaner Oktoberfest marzen, Erdinger Oktoberfest hefeweizen, New Holland Ichabod pumpkin ale, Buffalo Bill’s pumpkin ale and more.
St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest | Sept. 23-25
When: 5–10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Alphonsus Church (1429 W. Wellington Ave.)
How much: $5 Friday and Saturday, free Sunday
Chow down on bratwurst, pretzels and authentic German fare at the 16th annual Lakeview fest with traditional live music and plenty of beer. Partake in craft beer nights Friday and Saturday, and sample up to 20 local and regional beers ($40 per session). Kicking off the fest on Thursday is the new Brat Trot 5K Run/Walk at Diversey Harbor, where participants are encouraged to dress in their Bavarian best for a lakeside run. All participants receive $10 to spend on food or drink at the fest (6:30 p.m. 2430 N. Cannon Drive. $40–$50. Tickets: eventbrite.com).
Revolution Oktoberfest Party | Sept. 23-24
When: 6–9 p.m. Friday and 1–4 p.m. and 6–9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Revolution Brewery backlot (3340 N. Kedzie Ave. 773-227-2739)
How much: $10. Tickets: revbrew.com
Sip the Avondale brewery’s seasonal traditional German lager, along with Fist City pale ale, Rev Pils pilsner and more, at the annual fest. On the food front, chow down on eats including Oktoberfest-brined smoked chicken, smoked pork hocks, currywurst, potato salad and cucumber salad. Tickets include a half-liter stein of beer and live music from She’s Crafty all-female Beastie Boys tribute (Friday session), Word to Your Mother’s ’90s tribute (Saturday afternoon session) and American Thighs AC/DC tribute plus Slutter, an all-female Kiss cover band (Saturday evening session). Additional beer and food tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and can be purchased at the event, though it’s encouraged they be purchased in advance.
Dusek’s Blocktoberfest | Sept. 25
When: Noon–10 p.m. Sunday
Where: 18th and Allport streets
How much: Free
Celebrate the Pilsen restaurant’s third anniversary with beer, cocktails and German-inspired food. Nosh on bratwurst with beer onions and crispy shallots ($9), rye pretzels with sharp cheddar ($5) and a ginger-hop cookie made with hops from Moody Tongue Brewing Company ($4). Sip Erdinger beer ($6), punch from Punch House ($8), wine ($8) and more. Catch DJ sets from Ralphi Rosario from Hot Mix 5, Cqqchifruit and others.
St. Benedict’s OktoberFest | Sept. 30-Oct. 2
When: 3–10 p.m. Friday, 1–10 p.m. Saturday and 3–8 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Benedict Parish (2215 W. Irving Park Road)
How much: Free
Celebrate 51 years of festing at the North Center church with food, beer and music. Enjoy live music by The Bratwurst Brothers on Friday (6 p.m.), The McGowens and Second Hand Soul Band on Saturday (1 and 6 p.m., respectively) and The Paloma on Sunday (3 p.m.). Along with beer and wine, fill up on food from Himmel’s Lincoln Square German restaurant.
The Berghoff Oktoberfest
When: 4:30–7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and noon–3 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 8
Where: The Berghoff (17 W. Adams St. 312-427-3170)
How much: No cover
The Loop legend takes its 31st Oktoberfest celebration inside with live music through Oct. 8 and specials through Oct. 31. Lunch and dinner deals include Bavarian pretzels with beer and cheddar dipping sauce, sweet mustard and Dusseldorf mustard ($8.25–$8.50), wiener schnitzel with vegetables and potatoes ($19.95–$21.95) and a sausage trio of bratwurst, knockwurst, smoked Thuringer, sauerkraut and potato salad ($14.95–$17.95). Live entertainment is provided by The Johnny Wagner Band, The Bratwurst Brothers, Alpine Thunder and others.
Chicago Bacon and Beer Classic | Oct. 1
When: Noon–3 p.m. and 6–9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Drive)
How much: $69. Tickets: baconandbeerclassic.com
Sample beer and bacon dishes from local chefs at this annual fest of gluttony. Feast on bacon-chili mac ‘n’ cheese from Public House, candied bacon from Belly Up Smokehouse & Saloon, bacon-caramel pork belly banh mi from Red Door Kitchen & Bar and spiced bacon with coconut ice cream from Whirlyball. Wash it down with beer from 3 Sheeps Brewing Co., BuckleDown Brewing, Pipeworks Brewing Co., Hopewell Brewing and more. Along with Jenga, participate in a bacon-eating contest (1:30 p.m. and 7:30 pm.) and a bungee run. Admission includes unlimited samples.
Logan Square Beer Festival | Oct. 1
When: 1–4 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N. Kedzie Blvd.)
How much: $39.99 per session. Tickets: logansquarebeerfestival.com
Taste barrel-aged, cask-conditioned and collaboration brews from more than 15 breweries, such as Middle Brow Beer Co.’s Miner Green Peach saison brewed with green peaches in collaboration with Lula Cafe, Virtue Cider’s Mitten winter cider aged in bourbon barrels, and a firkin of Metropolitan Brewing’s Dynamo Copper lager with ancho and chipotle peppers.
Rocktober Beerfest | Oct. 7-9
When: 5–10 p.m. Friday and noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Randolph Street and Ogden Avenue
How much: $10 gate fee. $20–$40 beer and food packages. Tickets: eventsprout.com
This annual fest offers Samuel Adams OctoberFest beer and other selections, along with brats and pretzels from Four Corner Tavern Group. Three beer and food packages ranging from $20–$40 include entry to the festival and the following options: The Basics (one 25-ounce beer in a souvenir stein and a pretzel, $20), The Sampler (seven 7-ounce samples and a pretzel, $30) and The Taster (three 25-ounce beers in a souvenir stein, a pretzel and a brat, $40).
Baderbrau Oktoberfest | Oct. 9
When: 1–7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Baderbrau Tap & Brewery (2515 S. Wabash Ave.)
How Much: $15. Tickets: eventbrite.com
The South Loop brewery that opened earlier this year celebrates its first Oktoberfest with food, music and beer (of course). Munch on sausages, currywurst, spaetzle and side salads while listening to oompah sounds from Euro Express. Admission includes a half-liter souvenir stein full of Oktoberfest or any of the brewery’s other options.
Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers | Nov. 11-12
When: 6–10 p.m. Friday, 1–5 p.m. and 6–10 p.m. Saturday
Where: UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Road)
How Much: Sold out
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s highly anticipated fest of rare and unique wood- and barrel-aged brews is in its 14th year. Lucky ticket holders will sample beers ranging in style from stouts and porters to pales, sours, ciders, fruit beers and more, from about 150 brewers pouring 350-something beers.
@OhItsHeather & @redeyeeatdrink on Twitter | Instagram
For more Eat & Drink news, click here.
