The misleading name might have thrown you for a loop: Oktoberfest is not exactly an October thing. The 17-day main Munich festival in Germany ends the first weekend in October, so most of it happens in September. Likewise, many local versions were calendared in September and have already happened. But fear not, ye fans of suds and sausage! If you’ve found yourself yearning for a hefty stein of foamy brew, maybe some sausages and schnitzel, or you just really want to dress your dog up in a German costume, we’ve got your back.   

Eins, Zwei, Drei, G'suffa! 

Dogtoberfest 

Buckman
NOON–4 P.M. SAT, OCT 1 / LUCKY LABRADOR BREWPUB, $25+ 
Isn’t it Dogtoberfest every day at Lucky Labrador? Yes, but some days even more so. On Saturday, Mr. Mitchell of Darcelle’s Cabaret will emcee a dog costume contest at the SE Hawthorne Lucky Lab in an effort to raise funds for DoveLewis’s canine and feline blood bank. Your pooch can trot away with a new bandana for showing up, and you’ll take home an etched beer glass. 

Olympia Provisions 

Richmond
2–9 P.M. SAT, OCT 1 / OLYMPIA PROVISIONS PUBLIC HOUSE, $10 
When’s the last time you caught some live polka music? The local German brewery Rosenstadt and purveyor of all things cured meats Olympia Provisions are hosting an Oktoberfest on their expansive Division Street patio. There will be stein holding contests and a game called hammerschlagen that involves hammering nails into wood. It’s not quite Dogtoberfest, but we’re told there are prizes for dogs (and people) who show up in lederhosen.  

Paddy’s 

Downtown
NOON TILL "LATE"  SAT, OCT 1 / PADDY’S, $10–15 
Sure, Paddy’s is an Irish pub, but it's going German for Oktoberfest. The party is full of live music, a best-dressed contest, and a raffle that could land you and your bestie a trip to Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest celebration. (It is a big deal, but, in case you didn't know, Leavenworth is in Washington, not Germany.) 

Zoiglfest

Lents
5–10 P.M. FRI & NOON–10 P.M. SAT, SEPT 30-OCT 1 / ZOIGLHAUS BREWERY, FREE
Another local German brewery, Zoiglhaus is hosting its Oktoberfest party with the help of the Lents farmers market, and donating a portion of the proceeds to the market. A cornhole tournament serves as the preamble to the ceremonious keg tapping, which leads into a slew of live local music, dancing, games, and of course, Bavarian pretzels and beer cheese.  

Prost! 

Boise
FRI–SUN, SEPT 30-OCT 2 / PROST! PORTLAND, FREE 
As the anchor of the Prost Marketplace food cart pot, Prost is always bustling. For Oktoberfest, they’re turning things up a bit: a yet-to-be-seen menu of dishes leaning even further into their German heritage will be available all weekend, along with an expanded selection of German beers, live German music. Have no fear: there’re souvenir mugs here, too.  

Pine Street Taproom 

Old Town-Chinatown
11 A.M.–8 P.M. FRI–SUN, OCT 14–16 / PINE STREET TAPROOM, $25 
This one’s all about the beer. With 16 German-style beers to choose from, admission lets you sample a dozen, or put back three full pints. Aside from das bier, the Pine Street Market itself is full of good eats, like Shanghai’s Best dumplings, Pleasure Burger, and Kotsu Ramen.