Cincinnati’s German roots run deep. While only 5% of the population had ties to Deutschland in 1830, between 1840 and 1850, the number of German-born immigrants reached over 50%.
Considering the influence German immigrants have had in Cincinnati—from German-language newspapers, local politicians, Over-the-Rhine architecture, and local biergartens—and the civic pride our residents feel about their German heritage (and, well, everything else), it’s no wonder Zinzinnati is known for hosting the world’s second largest Oktoberfest celebration, attracting more than 500,000 visitors to the region every year.
Some Oktoberfest History
The first Oktoberfest took place in 1810. It began to celebrate the union of Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and lasted from October 12 through 18. Despite the name Oktoberfest, most of these events started being held in September beginning in the 20th century. It is widely believed the change was made to take advantage of the better weather and longer days in September.
So don your lederhosen and dirndl—for all things Gemütlichkeit for the stein-hoisting season, from smaller more authentic celebrations to the nation’s largest Oktoberfest, check out the list of Oktoberfest events around Greater Cincinnati below, as well as Oktoberfest-style beers brewed and available at area breweries, and apparel and accessories fit for a [sausage] queen.
August
5
Grainworks Oktoberfest
Grainworks Brewing, 11a
facebook.com
25–27
Oktoberfest 2023
Germania Society
germaniasociety.com
$5 per person at the gate
26
Oktoberfest Biergarten in the Taproom
Braxton Brewing Company, 11a
facebook.com
Oktoberfest
March First (Symmes Twp), 11:30a
Toast to the beginning of Oktoberfest season with their Oktoberfest beer and brat and mett specials.
facebook.com
September
1–3
Oktoberfest
Fibonacci Brewing Company
Food, beer, and music.
instagram.com
Oktoberfest 2023
Liberty Home Association
facebook.com
$5 admission (free for children under 14 and for people with military ID)
8–9
Springboro Oktoberfest
oktoberfestspringboro.org
$3 admission
8–9
Oktoberfest
West Side Brewing
Featuring Bavarian Band Concert Friday, 9/8
8–10
Covington Oktoberfest
Goebel Park
facebook.com
9
3rd Annual Zieglerfest
MadTree Taproom, 12–5p
facebook.com
9
Village Oktoberfest
HighGrain Brewing, 11a–11p
highgrainbrewing.com
14–17
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
5th Street Downtown
oktoberfestzinzinnati.com
15
2023 Oktoberfest
Hofbrauhaus*, 6–10p
Event Info
16
Barrel House Family Oktoberfest
Braxton Barrel House, 12p
facebook.com
16
Go Hop Your AlexandriaFest
Alexandria Brewing Company, 12p
facebook.com
22–23
Loveland Oktoberfest
Downtown Loveland and Nisbet Park
facebook.com
22–23
Octoberfest Celebration
Sam Adams Cincinnati Taproom*, 5p
Honor the centuries-long celebration of classic German beers with their own traditional brews, as well as live music, Octoberfest-infused brats, and stein hoisting contests all weekend long.
facebook.com
22–24
Newport Oktoberfest
Newport’s Festival Park
thingstodocincinnati.com
23
Sonder & Friends Oktoberfest
Sonder Brewing, 9a–midnight
facebook.com
23
Oktoberfest 2023
MPH Brewing, 12:30p
facebook.com
29–October 1
Donauschwaben Oktoberfest
Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society
facebook.com
$5 admission
October
13–14
Lebanon Oktoberfest
Downtown Lebanon
lebanonohio.gov
Local Oktoberfest Beer
Oktoberfest beer is the catch-all term for beer popular during Oktoberfest season, but it includes Märzen and Festbier, too. Oktoberfest-style beers are malty and bread-like in flavor, and copper in appearance. Märzen (German for March) is the base for Oktoberfest beer, which is traditionally brewed starting in March, “just before the weather became a little too warm to make beer without risking spoiling, bacterial infection, or risk of fire from boiling the wort.” (via Thrillist)
The biggest difference between Märzen and Festbier styles is that classic Märzen style beers should be a little darker, richer, heavier, and a little higher in alcohol than Festbier, which is more golden in color. Thanks to our proud German roots and heritage, there are several Oktoberfest-style beers in Greater Cincinnati for the season, including:
13 Below Brewery Sayler Park
Fall Ale (Oktoberfest style)
Bad Tom Smith Brewery and Spirits Madisonville
13 Preachers (Märzen lager)
Braxton Brewing Company Covington, Barrel House, Cincinnati, CVG
Oktober Fuel (Märzen)
Esoteric Brewing Company Walnut Hills
Oktoberfest Festbier
Fifty West Brewing Co Mariemont/Columbia Twp
Veinermobile (Festbier)
Fretboard Brewing Norwood
Rockin’ the Rhein (Märzen)
HighGrain Brewing Silverton
Meadow (Festbier)
Hi-Wire Brewing Norwood
Zirkusfest (Märzen)
Hobräuhaus* Newport
Jubiläum (Märzen)
Listermann Brewing Norwood/Evanston
Festbier (Festbier)
MadTree Brewing Oakley, OTR
Ziegler (Märzen)
Northern Row Brewery and Distillery* OTR
Brewery (Märzen)
Rhinegeist Brewery* OTR
Franz (Märzen)
Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom* OTR
Octoberfest (Märzen)
Taft’s Brewing Company OTR, Spring Grove Village
Oktubberfest (Festbier)
Voodoo Brewpub CBD
Schnitzengiggle (Festbier)
West Side Brewing Westwood
Oktoberfest (Märzen)
West Sixth Box Park Newport on the Levee
DankeChain (Märzen)
Check out Tour de Cincinnati’s Drink Local Guide for a list of taprooms, cideries, distilleries, and wineries within a 10-ish-mile radius of the city center.
Local Apparel and Accessories
Cincy Shirts Hyde Park, Fort Mitchell, online
Check out their entire lineup of Oktoberfest tees.
HOMAGE OTR
O’ Zapft Is! t-shirt
Pop Rocket Creations markets and online
Want some fun and unique pins for your alpine hat? Click here for some great local options.
Market schedule
Have questions or want a custom recommendation for your adventure in Greater Cincinnati? Just ask.
Prost!
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.
*Everything Cincy partner
