Top Spots To Celebrate Oktoberfest In Connecticut

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 9, 2014 7:00 am EST

For over two centuries now, Oktoberfest has been held in Munich, Germany. A 16-day celebration filled with cold refreshing beer, hot delicious food, music and dancing, Oktoberfest is so irresistible that many in the United States – including Connecticut – like to recreate a version of it here. You don't have to be of German descent to attend these upcoming festivals in the state.

Milford Oktoberfest
1 Shipyard Lane
Milford CT 06460
(203) 306-5172
www.facebook.com/milfordoktoberfest

Date: Sept. 27, 2014

Milford's annual Oktoberfest sponsored by the Devon Rotary takes place on September 27 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fowler Field. A traditional German bier garden will be set up providing a variety of brews. Live music will be provided by local bands like HitList and Rumrunners, and there will be performances by German dancers. If you'd like to win some money that will be donated to your favorite charity, get a team together and enter the festival's bratwurst eating contest.

Harvest Festival
New Canaan Nature Center
144 Oenoke Ridge
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-9577
www.newcanaannature.org

Date: Oct. 4, 2014

The New Canaan Nature Center will be holding its third annual Oktoberfest-style Harvest Festival on October 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Held outside under lit tents, the 21-and-older event costs $65, with the money going to the Nature Center. Local craft brewers and vintners will be there pouring samples of seasonal beers, wine and cocktails while representatives of nearby restaurants serve up their most delicious food (included in the ticket price). Indulge in great food and drink while enjoying live music and playing outdoor games.

Old Heidelberg Oktoberfest
55 Stony Hill Rd.
Bethel, CT 06801
(203) 797-1860
www.oldheidelbergct.com

Dates: Now through Sept. 28, 2014

Bethel's German restaurant Old Heidelberg will be again throwing its Oktoberfest celebration during the weekends of September 19-21 and September 26-28. The event is held outside in the Beergarten and will get started at noon each day. It's an all-ages affair with music, children's entertainment and a German store. Plenty of German beer will flow, and its Oktoberfest menu contains everything from sausages (weinerwurst and krainerwurst) to pork (kassler rippchen and schwineshaxe), with lots of sauerkraut to go with them.

New Haven Country Club Oktoberfest
160 Hartford Turnpike
Hamden, CT 06517
(203) 634-0947
www.apnh.org

Date: Oct. 11, 2014

Connecticut's longest-running AIDS/HIV service organization AIDS Project New Haven holds its fourth annual Oktoberfest charity fundraiser at the New Haven Country Club on October 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. La Cuisine will cater the event, providing tasty German and autumn-inspired food, and dozens of different beers will be available for tasting. Bid on great items during the silent auction or get something from the wine grab bag. Tickets cost $65.

Tapping Into Twain Oktoberfest
Mark Twain House and Museum
351 Farmington Ave.
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 247-0998
www.marktwainhouse.org

Date: Sept. 26, 2014

The Mark Twain House and Museum is one of Hartford's cultural treasures, and you can help it raise money while having a blast at the popular Tapping Into Twain Oktoberfest. Held at the Twain House on September 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the seventh annual event costs $45 in advance, $50 at the door. When you arrive, grab your souvenir pint glass and start sampling beers from over 20 local and regional craft breweries. Food prepared by the chefs of some of Hartford's best restaurants along with live music add up to a party Mark Twain would no doubt be proud of.

Joshua Palmes is a freelance writer covering all things Connecticut. His work can be found on Examiner.com.