As the fall season approaches, two annual PNW beer traditions celebrate the season: fall festivals (some inspired by Bavaria’s Oktoberfest) and fresh hops. This month I’m focusing on fall fests, many of which serve seasonal German-style festbiers. Here’s a roundup of 14 Oktoberfests and fall festivals throughout the region. This may not be a complete list, but it’s a solid selection of what you’ll find this year. Prost!
Beach Cat Catoberfest
Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, Marine Park, Blaine
A fundraiser for the Blaine Food Bank, this event features everything you’d expect from an Oktoberfest: food, games, live music, a costume contest and beer-a-flowing. Snag VIP tickets for early entrance, a souvenir glass, complimentary drink tickets and food discounts. Info: beachcatbrewing.com/events.
Chuckanut Oktoberfest
Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington
Chuckanut has hosted its own Oktoberfest for as long as I can remember. Head on down to South Nut for some fun and unique competitions, including liter-holding and yodeling contests that are just as fun for spectators as they are for participants. Of course, Chuckanut will be serving its seasonal Fest Bier and Marzen — along with plenty of other German-style brews — at the event. Info: chuckanutbrewery.com/events.
Farmstrong Farmtoberfest
1–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 110 Stewart Road, Mount Vernon
Celebrate Farmstrong’s ninth anniversary with an Oktoberfest-themed party featuring games, line dancing, a beer release, German-inspired food and live music. The event is free and open to all ages. Info: farmstrongbrewing.com/events-specials.
Gruff Oktoberfest
12–9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 104 E. Maple St., Suite 101
Gruff’s throwing its own party with a live DJ, festive drinks, food and games. They will also have steins available for purchase. Info: instagram.com/gruffbrewing.
Larrabee Lager Oktoberfest
Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 4151 Guide Meridian Road, Suite
Among Bellingham’s most German-inspired breweries, Larrabee Lager is going all-out for Oktoberfest this year. Expect beer and food specials, music, games and a whole lot more at this event. Info: larrabeelagerco.com.
Oktoberfest at Kulshan Trackside
Saturday, Sept. 14, 298 W. Laurel St.
Kulshan’s Oktoberfest takes place at Trackside this year with a polka band, drink specials, pretzel and bratwurst vendors, a costume contest and a stein-holding competition. Info: kulshanbrewing.com.
Sunnyland Fest
Sept. 19–22, multiple locations
The fifth annual Sunnyland Fest includes six Bellingham breweries: Wander, El Sueñito, Otherlands, Twin Sisters, Kulshan and Stemma. Folks can expect special beer releases from each brewery, plus a chance to win prizes if visiting all six. This pub crawl features various festivities throughout the weekend — from the gravity keg tapping of Otherlands festbier (Thursday, Sept. 19) to a “Hangover Party” at El Sueñito (11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22) with specials on queso-smothered tamales and micheladas. Info: kulshanbrewing.com.
Stones Throw Fresh Hop Block Party
12–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 1009 Larrabee Ave.
This one’s all about the hop harvest. Each year, Stones Throw invites community members to bring in their own homegrown hops for a hop-picking party. These hops, in turn, are used to brew Stones Throw’s Community Fresh Hop Ale. The family-friendly and dog-friendly block party will feature live music, food trucks and Stones Throw’s fresh hop beer — made with Yakima Valley hops from Loza Farm, the only Mexican-American owned hop farm in the U.S. Info: stonesthrowbrewery.com.
Boundary Bay Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 28, 1107 Railroad Ave.
Boundary’s Oktoberfest will include live music, German fare, games, hammerschlagen, stein holding, family-friendly crafts and, of course, plenty of festbier. The brewery is also celebrating its 29th anniversary in September, with a full week of events planned. Stop by on Monday, Sept. 16 for Boundary Bay’s 29th anniversary party, the release of Forever Young 29th Anniversary Porter, and a special brewery tour at 5:30 p.m. Info: bbaybrewery.com.
Ferndale Oktoberfest
5–10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2007 Cherry St., Ferndale
A fundraiser for the Ferndale Downtown Association, Ferndale Oktoberfest takes place at Pioneer Pavilion. Attendees can expect music and dancing, a costume contest, traditional Bavarian games, and food trucks. Info: ferndaledowntown.wildapricot.org.
Structures Oktoberfest
Saturday, Sept. 28, 601 W. Holly St.
Structures celebrates Oktoberfest at its Old Town location with house-made bratwursts, Bavarian pretzels from Ralf’s Bakery, and “beer offerings from breweries all over the country.” Info: structuresbrewing.com.
Anacortes Bier Near the Pier
Oct. 4–5, 611 R Ave., Anacortes
Once upon a time, this fest was known as Bier on the Pier. No longer. Due to a venue change, the 13th annual Anacortes beer festival will be held near the pier this year — at the historic Depot Center. It takes place across three sessions: 5–8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 12–3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and 4–7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Wear your best costume (any theme goes) for the chance to win a free ticket to next year’s event. Info: business.anacortes.org.
Deming Oktoberfest
Friday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 12, 3295 Cedarville Road
The 40th annual Deming Log Show Oktoberfest (a fundraiser for “busted-up loggers”) hasn’t shared much in the way of details yet. But rest assured, it will be a party. Info: instagram.com/demingoktoberfest.
Brew on the Slough
1–5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, Maple Hall, 104 Commercial St., La Conner
Last held in 2019, La Conner’s Brew on the Slough beer fest is returning for its sixth year in 2024. This event takes place along the Swinomish Channel at Maple Hall with live music, a dozen participating breweries, giveaways and a silent auction. VIP ticket-holders receive early admission at 3 p.m., and the first 275 attendees will receive a complimentary tasting glass. Info: lovelaconner.com.
Brandon Fralic's Drink Cascadia column appears monthly. Reach him at drinkcascadia@gmail.com.
