You hopefully have a little bit of an idea now, about how much I love Oktoberfest after hanging out on this site in the last month. Not only is it one of my favorite styles of beer, the festivals that surround it this time of year are easily among my favorite places to drink a beer or two.

Between the festivals that are held at the local German societies, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati itself, and then the local festivals in different parts of town, no matter what weekend it is in the fall, you can find yourself a really great place to grab a sausage and experience a little bit of the Gemütlichkeit for yourself.

And if you are looking for a good example of what I’m talking about – you should probably know about Mason’s Oktoberfest, which is brought to us by Sonder Brewing… and they’re doing this one BIG.

About The Festival

The festival is free to get in… and once you’re there you’ll be surrounded by all things Oktoberfest. Starting with a menu that is being cooked up by Sonder’s onsite BrewRiver kitchen that consists of all your favorites: Schnitzel, fried sauerkraut balls, loaded Wisconsin brats, giant soft pretzels and beer cheese, caramel apples… you get how this works. It’s a feast.

The beer side of things is just as impressive. Not content to just pour their (Delicious) Oktoberfest, called Original Settlers, Sonder is pushing exactly what a real Oktoberfest festival should be about… their community. The brewery is bringing in beer from 16 Ohio craft breweries to celebrate not just the season, but each other. You’ll find beers from:

  • 16 Lots
  • The Common Beer Co
  • Branch and Bone
  • Cellar Dweller
  • Fat Heads
  • Fifty West
  • Fretboard
  • Jackie O’s
  • High Grain
  • Listermann
  • MadTree
  • Rhinegeist
  • Rivertown
  • Taft’s
  • Warped Wing
  • Wiedemann

The Homebrew Competition

Sonder is also using the festival as a back drop to their first annual homebrew competition, which they hope will continue to grow each year to becomes something that is regionally, if not nationally known. The competition is themed to (what else?) German style beer, with styles ranging from Munich Helles to Euro Sour Beer.

If you’re a homebrewer, it might be getting a little late to whip something up, but you can visit their website to snag an entry ticket if you’ve got something you think would work.

VIP

I should also mention this pretty sweet VIP package deal that they’re offering. While the event is most definitely free – you do have the option of ponying up a few bucks for a package that includes:

  • A 16oz Mason Oktoberfest Beer stein
  • Sunglasses
  • Enamel Pin
  • A Traditional German Hat
  • One beer ticket

If you get the stein, it gives you an extra 4 ounces of beer each time you get it filled… so if my math is right, it’s worth it. You can get your VIP package here. However… I may or may not be giving out a free VIP package on social media this week… so keep your eyes peeled on Twitbookagram.

The Full Rundown

The full schedule is below so you can plan your visit accordingly!

Friday – 6pm-midnight

  • 6-8:30pm – Gerhard Albinus Accordianist Music
  • 7pm – Ceremonial wooden keg tapping of beer
  • 7:30-9:30 – Live music from Abby Cates
  • 10pm – Live music from Rosewood Coast

Saturday – 10am-midnight

  • 10:30-11:30am – Oktoberfest themed yoga (weather contingent)
  • 12pm – German Style Homebrew Competition Awards
  • 1pm – John Keene – Accordianist
  • 4pm – Individual and Couples costume parade and contest
  • 5pm – Stein holding compeition (men’s and women’s)
  • 5:30 – Live music from Roaming Pigs
  • 8pm – Live music from See You in the Funnies
  • 9:30pm – DJ DREWB3CK

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