LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – Break out the pretzels and get ready to raise a stein. Lafayette has more than one place to celebrate Oktoberfest this year, with two local breweries bringing Bavarian flavors to Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
Western Flyer Brewing and Headlands Brewing both have celebrations planned for the first weekend in October. Between them, the offerings include limited-release beers, German imports, Bavarian food, and a stein-holding contest.
At Western Flyer Brewing, Oktoberfest spans two weekends: September 26-27 and October 3-4. That means anyone who missed the first round still has another weekend to join in.
The brewery is advertising four limited-release beers, traditional Bavarian food, and fun for the whole family. Its announcement doesn’t name the four special beers or spell out the Bavarian menu, so there’s still something to discover when you arrive.
Western Flyer is at 3660 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, diagonally across from Trader Joe’s. Its posted weekend hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
There’s a practical perk, too: the brewery advertises free underground parking. Drivers can enter at the stoplight on the west side of the building, with an elevator at the far end of the garage providing access to the brewery.
For readers who haven’t visited yet, Western Flyer is one of Lafayette’s newer beer destinations. As we covered in our Western Flyer dining guide, the brewery occupies space in The Brant development and combines a modern taproom with an indoor-outdoor setting.
Meanwhile, Headlands Brewing is holding its main Lafayette Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 3, from noon to 9 p.m., at 3420 Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
The brewery’s East Bay to Bavaria announcement lays out a lineup for its special Saturday celebrations that includes five Headlands beers, four German imports, and two guest taps from Wondrous and Danville Brewing.
Visitors can sample beers in curated flights or order one-liter mugs. Oktoberfest music, traditional “Ein Prosit” toasts, and a stein-holding contest are also on the agenda.
Headlands is advertising a $20 pairing of a one-liter pour of select beers and a Biergarten Pretzel. Admission is free, according to its organizer-submitted Funcheap listing; food and drinks cost extra.
The October 3 event is part of Headlands’ longer Oktoberfest run, which continues through October 4 with seasonal decorations, music, and special beer offerings across its beer gardens.
Its Lafayette location offers indoor seating and outdoor tables near the Lafayette-Moraga Trail, and welcomes dogs. The kitchen, wine, and cider options also give groups choices beyond the featured beer lineup.
For locals making weekend plans, Saturday, October 3 is the day both breweries’ celebrations overlap. Western Flyer’s festivities continue Sunday, October 4, giving Lafayette another day to enjoy a little taste of Bavaria close to home.
