Beer News

Prost! to the Dallas restaurants and bars celebrating Oktoberfest 2021

It may say "Oktoberfest" but the festivities begin in mid-September.

Photo courtesy of Trinity Vision Authority

People who've been to Munich know first-hand that the name Oktoberfest is misleading: This annual beer celebration begins in late September. (Although in 2021, there will be no Oktoberfest in Munich at all, because of the pandemic. They have more common sense than we do in Texas.)

We may not have the German smarts but Dallas is rich with German heritage, and that makes it our duty to go all in on Oktoberfest, to raise a glass and do the event proud. Besides, all Oktoberfest events in DFW are outdoors. Take that, Deutschland.

The majority of Oktoberfest events in DFW begin in mid-September, but a few early birds are beginning celebrating this week.

Here's a list of all the Oktoberfest events being held in DFW, from bar celebrations to city events, in chronological order:

September 10

Oktoberfest celebration at Watters Creek. Presented by The Lion & Crown Pub, this is the fourth annual occurrence of this craft beer festival, and they're getting an early jump. The event features live music, traditional German dancing, stein hoisting, and an artisan market, all part of the excitement. There are stein hoistings, an introductory keg tapping, and a craft area for kids. Where: Village Green. When: Friday September 10 from 5-11 pm, Saturday September 11 from 11 am-11 pm, Sunday September 12 from 12-5 pm. on Sunday, September 12. Admission: Free.

September 16-19

Addison Oktoberfest. The town of Addison's annual Oktoberfest celebration has been named one of the country's most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations by Forbes and USA Today. Four days of family-oriented entertainment draw more than 50,000 fans, with German food and the same Paulaner Bier served in Bavaria. Dozens of polka bands and other traditional entertainers from around the country perform on multiple stages, including one at the Partyhalle, a 30,000-square-foot open-air tent with seating for 1,500. Contests include bier barrel rolling, a German Idol yodeling contest, activities for kids, unique shopping, and an opportunity to wear your dirndl and lederhosen. Where: Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Cir. When: Thursday September 16, 6-11pm, Friday September 17 6 pm–midnight, Saturday September 18 12 pm–midnight, Sunday September 19 12-5 pm. Admission: $10 for single-day on Friday and Saturday; Thursday and Sunday are free. Tickets are online.

September 18-19

Trucktoberfest. Truck Yard Dallas and Truck Yard The Colony, known for their offbeat programming, will host their inaugural Trucktoberfest, featuring a lively lineup of adult, kid, and dog-friendly activities such as a Stein Holding Contest, Wiener Dog Race, Yodeling Competition, and Pretzel-Eating Contest. Revelers are encouraged to don the traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl. Brew Boss Dennis Wehrmann will tap his great grandfather's 200-year-old keg of Truck Yard's Trucktoberfest brew. Where: Truck Yard Dallas, 5624 Sears St. and Truck Yard The Colony. When: September 18-19 11 am-11:45 pm. Admission: Free.

September 18

Oktoberfest at Manhattan Project Beer Co. Dallas Farmers Market brewpub will serve its own brewed Oktoberfest beer plus Doppelbock, Altbier, Fallout, and Helles. Chef T. Ball will do a pig roast, pork sausage, and sides. Alex Lambert from American Idol will play the beer garden at 4 pm. Lucas Kelm will perform at 7 pm. They open at 10 am, the party kicks off at 3 pm, and the pig will be ready at 5 pm. Where: Dallas Farmers Market. When September 18. Admission: Free.

September 18-October 3

Oktoberfest at Meddlesome Moth. Design District pub celebrates Oktoberfest for two weeks, beginning September 18, with special Oktoberfest tappings by beer director Matt Quenette. Dozens of Oktoberfest beers make appearances for the annual celebration including offerings from Real Ale, Saint Arnold, Firestone Walker, Great Raft, and Ayinger. Chef Joshua Boneé complements the beer experience with Beef Bangers and Mash, smoked onion jus, potato aligot, and caramelized cipollini onions as well as a Cacio de Pepe Spaetzle with house guanciale, pink peppercorn, and parmesan. Where: Meddlesome Moth. When: September 18-October 3.

September 23-25

Oktoberfest Fort Worth. The city's event is a family-friendly affair featuring authentic German food, music, dancing, games, shopping, and biergartens. Have fun watching the fur fly at the Dachshund Dash; shop for clothing, treats, and souvenirs in the marktsraße; or catch a thrill ride in the midway. Bier lovers can look forward to Spaten and other delicious fall and Oktoberfest biers from all around the country. If you buy your ticket online by September 22 at 11:59 pm, you get a free 2021 stein; a limited number of free steins will be available to those who buy tickets at the gate. Where: Panther Island Pavilion. When: Thursday September 23 and Friday September 24 from 5-11 pm, Saturday September 25 from 11 am-midnight. Admission: $5 for Thursday, $10 for Friday, and $10 for Saturday, or get a 3-day pass for $15. 12 and under is free.

September 24-26

Oktoberfest Downtown McKinney. The German is strong in McKinney, which has been hosting an Oktoberfest event since 2008. Three-day weekend of German-themed fun includes authentic German food, domestic and imported beer, live music, and games. The full schedule is online. Where: 200 W. Virginia St. When: Friday September 24 from 4 pm-midnight, Saturday September 25 from 10 am-midnight, Sunday September 26 from 12-5 pm. Admission: Free.

September 26

"Lake-toberfest" at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium. The Saucer celebrates Oktoberfest with its annual Lake-toberfest celebration, featuring tastings from a bevy of traditional, local, and national Oktoberfest brews. Tasting cards can be purchased at the restaurant on Sunday for $25 and include 12 four-ounce pours. The annual stein hoisting competition begins at 2 pm. Lederhosen and dirndls are encouraged for a costume contest at 3 pm. German fare specials and commemorative Oktoberfest glassware is available for purchase. Where: 4821 Bass Pro Dr. on Lake Ray Hubbard. When: September 26 at 11 am.

October 2

10th Annual Oktoberfest Dallas. Profits from this popular annual charitable event go to the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands which returns the proceeds to the community in a variety of ways. They canceled 2020 but now it's back with all day entertainment for the entire family including outdoor fun for the kids, local food, ice cream, beverages, and an amazing lineup of live music including Americana band Son Volt, as well as Taylor Dunn, Vandoliers, the Lake Highlands School of Music, and DeeJay CeePee/Christopher Todd Penn. Where: Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake. When: October 2 from 10 am-10 pm. Admission: $15 per wristband, purchase tickets online.

October 2-3

Frisco Oktoberfest. The city of Frisco joins the Oktoberfest fun with a weekend event at Frisco Square with fun and festivities, delicious Bier, German cuisine, and two stages with live entertainment. The festivities kick off with the opening ceremony at 11am on Saturday with a traditional keg tapping. The first attendees to arrive will receive a free beer until the keg is tapped out. Where: Frisco Square. When: October 2 from 11 am-10 pm, October 3 from 12-5 pm. Admission: $20 per sheet of 20 tickets; all food and beverage at the festival requires tickets. $100 for VIP Biergarten includes access to VIP tent and exclusive food and beverages. Purchase tickets online.

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Game preview

Dallas World Cup opener will feature 'best team never to win the trophy'

Dutch Orange Bus

The Dutch Orange Bus will serve free burgers to fans at Hat Creek Burger Company.

RIVERSIDE, Mo. (AP) — The road leading into the practice facility that the Netherlands is using for its World Cup base camp was supposed to be welcoming, what with “welkom” signs in Dutch making one of the world's top teams feel right at home. Even the street name Teal Rising Way has been temporarily changed to “Oranje Rising Way” for the next six weeks in honor of the team's orange colors.

But perhaps someone should have reconsidered the white signs denoting important World Cup milestones for the Netherlands. Every one of them is a reminder that the country still has never won the tournament.

“How far can we go? Yeah, hopefully all the way,” said defender Virgil van Dijk, who will be appearing in his second World Cup, and who will once again captain the Dutch team.

The Netherlands begins group play against Japan at 3 pm Sunday, June 14 in Dallas. It will be the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington - dubbed "Dallas stadium" for the tournament - and the first one in front of DFW crowds.

A world-famous bright orange double-decker bus that serves as a symbol of Dutch soccer fandom follows the team and will make an appearance at a Dallas-area restaurant to help hype them up.

“We know how difficult it will be,” the Liverpool player acknowledged after a recent training session held under an unrelenting Midwestern sun, which pushed the heat index toward triple digits in Missouri, as it has in Dallas. "But our full focus will be on Japan, first and foremost. That will get all our attention. We won't look too far ahead. But we all have big dreams, and we'll give all we have.”

Three World Cup finals
The Dutch have long held the unwelcome moniker of best nation never to have won the World Cup trophy. In fact, they are the only nation to have reached three finals without a triumph.

In 1974, the Netherlands had returned to the World Cup after a nearly four-decade drought, and the dazzling play of Johan Cruyff had led it all the way to the final. There, the Dutch faced host West Germany and its star player, Franz Beckenbauer. The Netherlands scored quickly on a penalty kick, but West Germany answered with two goals before halftime, and the Dutch were unable to find the back of the net in the second half before a crowd of more than 78,000 at the Olympiastadion in Munich.

It was disappointing, to be sure, but ask any Dutch fan and they will say 1978 stung even more.

Once more facing the host nation in the final, Argentina led 1-0 at halftime before Dick Nanninga managed an equalizer in the 82nd minute. The game remained tied into extra time, when Mario Kempes scored his second goal of the game for host Argentines, and Daniel Bertoni added another for good measure before a boisterous crowd at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires.

The Dutch reached their third final in 2010, when it faced Spain for the title in Johannesburg, South Africa. That match also was decided in extra time after the teams had played to a stalemate, with Andrés Iniesta scoring in the 116th minute.

Reason to believe
The Netherlands reached the semifinals in 2014 before inexplicably failing to qualify in 2018. But it was back for 2022 in Qatar with van Dijk leading the way. The Dutch rolled through group play while conceding a single goal, then dominated the U.S. in the round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Argentina on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.

But take away penalty shootouts and the Dutch are unbeaten in their last 12 matches at the World Cup. The only nation with a longer such streak is Brazil, which went 13 consecutive matches behind the brilliant play of Pele between 1958 and 1966.

“I think we have a great group of players, especially human beings. We are getting along so well with each other,” van Dijk said. "But obviously it's all about the results. It's all about performing. All the players that are here, especially over the years — it's players that have played at the highest level, experiencing amazing things in their careers. Winning trophies. Playing for the biggest clubs.

“They're coming together here and trying to make their country proud. It's the biggest thing you can do.”

While the Dutch are favored to get out of their group, the path to the knockout rounds won't be easy. The trio of Japan, Sweden and Tunisia represent a tricky series of matches, and coach Ronald Koeman's team has struggled with injuries; defender Jurrien Timber has already left because of a groin injury and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is nursing a recent hip injury.

It's unclear whether Verbruggen will play in Dallas Sunday against Japan.

“We know Japan is strong. We've analyzed the team and the players,” Koeman said. “We spoke about their system, normally where they play out of, and the physical state of their players. It's difficult. But we believe in ourselves. We respect Japan, but we are Holland, and they will respect us. I think it will be an interesting match, and a difficult one.”

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