Oktober in September

It’s no surprise that people might think Oktoberfest should take place in, well, October. But in Germany, where it all started, the two-week celebration actually begins in September and wraps up the first weekend of October.

This year, the festivities kick off on Saturday in Munich – which makes a pair of Spokane events this weekend particularly timely:

– Perry Street Brewing ’s Oktoberfest (pictured above) continues today from noon to 11 p.m. For $25, you can get a 32-ounce stein with the PSB logo and your first fill; whether you opt for that or not, there’s specialty pricing on pints (or more) of the light, crisp Kölsch (which has been alternating with the brewery’s Czech pilsner), or the brand-new Oktoberfest lager, moderately malty with a spicy finish from Willamette and Liberty hops. (And if you want to get into the spirit for cheap, pretzel necklaces are only a buck.)

The place was packed for the kickoff yesterday, from the west-facing patio to the large communal table set up in the east end of the taproom, beer hall-style. Hop vines graced that table and the rafters above the bar, and the Couple of Chefs food truck was serving up a German-inspired menu (also available today) featuring a trio of sausages – bratwurst, currywurst, and chicken and apple – with toppings including sauerkraut braised in Perry Street’s coffee porter, and beer cheese sauce made with the milk stout. The porter also shows up in a cupcake with German chocolate frosting.

– On Saturday, Manito Tap House observes Oktoberfest with a parking lot party from 3 to 10 p.m. (all ages welcome until 7 p.m., 21 and older after) with three Paulaner beers, three specialty taps (including Iron Goat’s triple IPA, a hit last year) plus One Tree’s new cranberry hard cider, the Big Pappa’s BBQ and Thai Lunch Box food trucks, three bands, cornhole courts for adults and game booths for kids (proceeds benefit 2nd Harvest and Children’s Miracle Network).

Through noon tomorrow, you can get advance tickets for $15, including a half-liter German Rastal stein and your first fill, here ; at the door, admission is $18, or $12 sans stein. Those under 21 get in for $5 or a donation of two cans of food.

The Oktoberfest fun continues the following weekend in North Idaho with the Downtown Coeur d’Alene Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, featuring food, music and assorted microbrews at various locations; and Hoptoberfest on Saturday afternoon at MickDuff’s Beer Hall in Sandpoint, with two fresh hop beers and a pumpkin ale, discount pours and souvenir glasses for sale.