There are numerous Oktoberfest events and special beer releases happening around town, but here are a couple for your radar.
Through October 16th, SCHMIDT’S is offering a full lineup of Oktoberfest specials: 10 seasonal Märzen beers only available for a short time in the fall, two beer flights served with a Bavarian soft pretzel, and their own local/seasonal renditions of traditional German dishes to pair with the beers. The two beer flights will include a combination of bottle and draft selections like Weihenstephaner Festbier (from the oldest brewery in the world, dated 1040, whoa), Paulaner (first brewed by monks in 1634), Hacker Pschor (established 1417), and Spaten Ur-Märzen (considered “the original Märzen” made with Munich hops), and more.
As for the food, choose from smaller plates like a traditional German cheese or cured meat plate, or larger plates like housemade herbed cheese spätzle, smoked pork chop with curried apricot chutney, and cauliflower “schnitzel.” You can’t go wrong with 20 varieties of sausages to choose from, including a local Berliner currywurst, fresh duck sausage, and Märzenbier bratwurst. (Yup, a total sausage fest.) Order the Oktoberfest wurstteller special and get your choice of three sausages on a bed of sauerkraut with potato salad. Also on the the menu are fresh pea pancakes served with house cured salmon and chive sour cream; and for brunch, fischplatte with herring, smoked trout, and house-cured gravlax; and leberkase—pork and veal terrine with a fried egg and roasted onions. Specials this week include purée of celeriac and apple soup; baby red beet salad with mint, quark, and lamb’s lettuce; heirloom cucumber salad; herbed cheese spätzle with roasted king trumpet mushrooms; and strawberry and pluot tartlet with honey, lime, and whipped cream. 2400 Folsom St. at 20th St., 415-401-0200.
~EPIC ROASTHOUSE~ is joining in the Oktoberfest fun with a celebration on Saturday October 1st from noon-4pm. $50 buys you admission and unlimited German-inspired dishes from chef Jan Birnbaum, unlimited local beer tastings (first beer will be served in a special Oktoberfest mug), and live music from Deutscher Musikverein. The fun fare includes pretzels with beer mustard, red beer soup with spicy cabbage kraut, EPIC homemade bratwurst sausages with housemade sauerkraut, roasted porchetta with jalapeño apple relish, pork and beans “our way,” potato dumplings braised in Guinness stout, pork schnitzel with warm potato salad, and ginger and vanilla ice cream floats with stout beer. Get tix online in advance ‘cause they won’t be sold at the door. Valet parking available.