Warm Up for Nashville’s Oktoberfest at These Bavarian-Inspired Throwdowns

Dust off those steins — the Nashville Oktoberfest is getting ready to take over Germantown October 11–14. One of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations in the country, this year’s celebration of all things Bavarian will span 10 city blocks and feature live German music, a pup parade, a dachshund derby, and a 5K run (presumably to make room for all the brats). Four days packed full of pretzels, sausages, and beer might require a bit of a warm up. Fortunately, there are are several events around town that are up to the task.

Von Elrod’s Beer Garden and Sausage House is planning to celebrate their first year in Music City with a three-day festival starting Friday, October 5. The Germantown eatery—known for its hand-cranked sausages, spacious outdoor patio and one-liter steins filled with mimosas — will be serving up their signature brats, frankfurters, pretzels, and barbecue during the festival alongside six different bars and a beer trailer. Accompanying the Bavarian foodstuffs: performances from over a dozen artists including the Nappy Roots, the Ying Yang Twins and Sparkle City Disco.

Over in Midtown, Blackstone Brewing is teaming up with Nashville Brewing Co. on October 6 for an Oktoberfest Celebration in their taphouse. Nashville Brewing’s Festbier and Helles Lager will be making an appearance alongside Blackstone’s award-winning brews. Soaking up all that hoppy goodness: an array of traditional German dishes. The brewery also promises live music, games and an appearance by their master brewer—who just might comp the crowd’s first round.

Down in Thompson’s Station, Homestead Manor is getting into the stein-lifting spirit with their first-ever Oktoberfest shindig on October 6. Over 30 breweries will fill the venue’s event barn along with German-style eats (think: pork sausage meatballs, sauerkraut and pretzel bites) prepared by the Manor’s executive chefs, Puckett’s Grocery, Puckett’s Boat House, and Scout’s Pub. Hattie Jane’s Creamery will also be channeling their inner Bavarian at the event with beer-infused ice cream to cap off the night.