Apparently Boerne has decided one Oktoberfest this fall isn’t enough.
Starting in late September and continuing throughout October, breweries, restaurants, and even Joshua Creek Ranch are breaking out the Märzens, bratwurst, steins, German dinners, and a few competitions that may or may not require some serious forearm strength.
Some are one-day events. Some take over an entire weekend. And a couple of local spots are stretching the celebration through most of October.
So, in chronological order, here’s where you can get your Oktoberfest fix around Boerne this year.
28 Songs Brewhouse + Kitchen – Sept. 26
First up is 28 Songs, which is celebrating from noon to 5 p.m. with its own Oktoberfest beer and a special food menu.
The brewery will be pouring a Märzen lager, while the kitchen serves choices including chicken schnitzel with jäger sauce, a Reuben, and a brat topped with currywurst sausage.
Limited-edition Oktoberfest steins will also be available for purchase and come with a pour of the Oktoberfest beer. Lederhosen and dirndls are encouraged.
Tusculum Brewing Co. – Oct. 3
Next up is Tusculum Brewing Co., where the Oktoberfest menu will feature bratwurst, pretzels, and a seasonal Märzen-style lager.
It’s a simple formula, but we’re not sure Oktoberfest really needs to be more complicated than beer, brats, and pretzels. Learn more.
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. – Oct. 10
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. joins the fun on Oct. 10 with German-inspired food specials and live music.
The full Boerne Jazz Band will perform that day, adding a decidedly Boerne twist to the festivities.
Free Roam Brewing Co. – Oct. 10-11
Free Roam is going bigger with an entire Oktoberfest weekend.
Along with beer, food trucks, vendors, and live music, the two-day event will include an official stein-holding contest, a watermelon-eating contest, games, and other activities.
It’s family-friendly, and dogs are welcome, too.
Joshua Creek Ranch Oktoberfest Dinner – Oct. 17
Joshua Creek Ranch is taking a different approach with a sit-down Oktoberfest dinner on Oct. 17.
Chef Robert Kennon and his team will prepare a full German menu, with German-inspired bar specials also available. Guests who make a bar purchase will receive a complimentary Joshua Creek Ranch beer stein while supplies last.
Dinner begins at 6:45 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets are $115 for non-members and $92 for members.
Barktoberfest – Oct. 17
Boerne Main Plaza is going to the dogs for the 6th Annual Barktoberfest from 10 AM–4 PM. The Hill Country Animal League fundraiser features doggy dash races, the always-entertaining dachshund races, a dog costume contest, pet adoptions, an adopted pets parade, a petting zoo, local vendors, food trucks, beer, and a silent auction.
Even better, every dollar raised supports Hill Country Animal League’s mission of providing affordable spay/neuter and wellness services for pets in the Hill Country. Learn more.
Richter Tavern & Richter Cork & Keg – Throughout October
If you miss the scheduled events, you’ve still got options.
Richter Tavern and Richter Cork & Keg plan to feature special German selections throughout October alongside their regular beer offerings.
That means you don’t necessarily need to coordinate your calendar with an Oktoberfest event to get in on the seasonal fun.
Ducktoberfest at The Dodging Duck – Throughout October
And then there’s The Dodging Duck, which has been at this for a while.
The Dodging Duck Brewhaus will celebrate its 25th annual Ducktoberfest throughout October with its seasonal Ducktoberfest Lager, sausage plate specials, and live music.
The October music schedule includes the Native Texans on Oct. 10, the Sonic Waves on Oct. 17, and two jazz bands performing every Sunday.
Make a Month of It
At this point, Oktoberfest in Boerne is less of a single event and more of an entire season.
You could start with a Märzen at 28 Songs in September, work your way through brewery celebrations in October, sit down for a German dinner at Joshua Creek Ranch, and finish with a Ducktoberfest Lager before the month is over.
So dust off that stein. You’ve got some work to do.