Top Spots To Celebrate Oktoberfest In South Florida

South Florida loves its drink festivals, so it's no surprise that there would be several Oktoberfest celebrations to choose from. Fritz & Franz Bierhaus has you covered with two Oktoberfest celebrations while Coconut Grove hosts its annual Oktoberfest blowout. Find out which events are family friendly and which are strictly for the partiers. It's a beer lover's dream and best of all, it's relatively inexpensive.

20th Annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest
Fritz & Franz Bierhaus
60 Merrick Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 776-4048
www.bierhaus.com

Date: Oct. 2-12, 2014

One day was not enough for the Coral Gables Oktoberfest. This event is 11 days full of beer, brats and Bavarian beats. It begins on October 2 with an opening keg tap by Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason. Then the fun starts with contests like the Celebrity Bier Stein Holding contest, the Bratwurst Eating contest and a charity raffle for the Woody Foundation with big prizes like a Viking Cruise and an acoustic guitar. Music will be provided by four Austrian bands including Alpenland Gaui and Gruppe Gastein and the party lasts until midnight most nights. The event is totally free and the family is welcome to come, so pack up your little schnitzels and head down to the best time in Coral Gables before Christmas.

10th Annual Oktoberfest 2014
Jaco Pastorius Park
4000 N. Dixie Highway
Oakland Park, FL 33334
(954) 630-4502
www.oaklandparkfl.org

Date: Oct. 3-4, 2014

The City of Oakland Park is hosting its own schnitzel shebang. The 10th Annual Oktoberfest celebration is held at Jaco Pastorius Park and features the Ambry Biergarten. For only $5, revelers can sample German delights like strudel, black forest cake, German drinks and, of course, the best of the wurst. Then they can watch another type of hot dog participate in the Daschund Dash and laugh as inebriated humans roll around in the Beer Barrel Races. Just make sure you eat after the carnival rides so that everyone can have a good time.

Grovetoberfest
Peacock Park
2820 McFarlane Road
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
(305) 461-2700
www.grovetoberfest.com

Date: Oct. 18, 2014

If you are looking for the best German beer by the bay, then look no further than Coconut Grove's annual Grovetoberfest. A $45 ticket can get you unlimited samples of over 200 beers. Plus, you can watch local chefs educate foodies on the finest in beer cuisine and watch amateur beer makers duel it out in the Home Brew Contest. Arriving safely is easy with two parking garages available for parking and a regular shuttle transporting beer guzzlers from the park to the metrorail station. It's an annual event that you just can't miss.

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Octoberfest Miami 2014
German American Social Club
11919 S.W. 56th St.
Miami, FL 33175
(305) 552-5123
www.gascmiami.org/oktoberfestmiami

Date: Oct. 17-19, 24-26, 2014

For 57 years, the German American Social Club of Greater Miami has been hosting Oktoberfest Miami. It's one of the longest running Oktoberfest celebrations in Miami and the United States. Adults and children 12 and up pay $10 to experience a bit of German culture with Austrian and German bands, authentic German dancing and German food. The alcohol selection is great with German beer, wine and liquor available. Just buy your drink tickets at the ticket booth and get ready to party.

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Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.