TOP OKTOBERFESTS IN PITTSBURGH 2014

Nothing goes with sausage quite like beer. And with Oktoberfest festivities in full swing, there’s no better time to enjoy the two together than right now.

If you don’t feel like kicking back at home with some Uncle Charley’s bratwurst (who wouldn’t want bacon-wrapped bratwurst?!), check out these Pittsburgh establishments for local Oktoberfest fun.

Penn Brewery: a traditional celebration

September 26-27, 5pm-midnight; September 28, 4pm-10pm
800 Vinial St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-237-9400

Photo courtesy of Leepaxton at en.wikipedia

If you’re looking for the most genuine German experience in Pittsburgh, Penn Brewery in the Deutschtown neighborhood of the North Side is your best bet. The party spills out from the brewery’s historic building into the outdoor Biergarten, adorned with large tents to keep party goers dry from any inclement weather (the forecast for this weekend looks great, though).

There’s seven different Penn Brewery brews on tap (Oktoberfest, Pilsner, Gold, Dark, Kaiser Pils, Cool River Kolsch, and Weizen), served communal-style in milk jugs. A wurst platter, smoked turkey leg, glazed tofu skewers, and hot apple cobbler round out the selection of traditional German dishes available. Bring your friends and share a couple jugs of beer while you enjoy live Alpine music.

Hofbrauhaus: party with hundreds of your closest friends

September 26, 3pm-2am; September 27, 12pm-2am
2705 South Water St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-224-2328

Courtesy of Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh.

Modeled after the 400-year-old legendary brewery in Munich, Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh knows how to live large. The giant space in bar-centric South Side features a large Bier Hall where hundreds of people come together to sing and dance along to live music, a smaller (and quieter) dining room, and a multilevel Bier Garden on the banks of the Monongahela.

Hofbrauhaus brews their beers onsite based on traditional Bavarian recipes and has a full menu of German fare (including an impressive wurst sampler plate). They’ll be tons of live music and entertainment this weekend for the (supposedly) family-friendly event.

Church Brew Works: the holiest of settings

September 11-October 5, 11:30am-9:30pm (11pm on weekends)
3525 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15201
412-688-8200

Nothing in Pittsburgh is quite like Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville. Converted from St. John the Baptist Church to the current bar and restaurant, the building was officially added to the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation‘s List of Historic Landmarks in 2001. Many original features of the church were renovated for its current use, like restored stained glass, pews as seating, and the former altar now housing beer tanks.

Courtesy of the Church Brew Works website.

Church Brew Works makes their own hand crafted beer and taps their Oktoberfest for the festivities. A special menu of German treats is featured and live music is provided on the weekends by the the Grkmans.

Dogtoberfest: celebrate with your favorite pooch

October 4, 11am-4pm
Under the Bridge at the Waterfront
Homestead, PA

Are you an animal lover looking for a unique way to commemorate Oktoberfest? Dogtoberfest, sponsored by the Coalition to Adopt, Rehome, and Match Abandoned Animals, highlights the multitude of resources available for adopting pets in the Pittsburgh area, with hundreds of adoptable animals on premise.

The outdoor festival features a Pooch Pride Costume Parade (with a $5 entry fee and $500 in prizes), live music, ask-a-trainer and ask-a-vet booths, and specialty vendors. While Dogtoberfest focuses on educating people on the perks of adopting a pet instead of buying one, your own pets are welcome to attend and socialize too!