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Right now the beer is flowing non-stop in Munich as Oktoberfest hits its midpoint and rages towards an early October finale. Millions of people are shaking the tents and downing crazy amounts of sudsy lagers and mountains of roast chickens, dumplings, and pretzels. But, not all of us are going to make it to Munich this year for what’s arguably the best beer festival in the world. That doesn’t mean we can’t partake in a little bit of Oktoberfest bacchanal right here at home.

The US Census Bureau pegs German heritage at 15 percent of our population. That equates to a lot of German culture bleeding into the American tapestry — especially if we’re talking beer. So we dug in to find some of the best Oktoberfest celebrations around the country. These are all worth a visit for a beer or three plus at least one of those giant pretzels.

LEAVENWORTH OKTOBERFEST, WA — Weekends of September 29th/30th, October 6th/7th, & October 13th/14th

Out in Washington state is a tourist town called Leavenworth. Years ago, the former mining town reinvented itself as a Bavarian tourist spot and hasn’t looked back. The town was almost entirely rebuilt in a postcard-perfect Alpine fashion and has a real feel of being in a small Bavarian village in Germany. Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest gets tens-of-thousands of visitors yearly. And it’s pretty idyllic. There are local breweries, German eateries — it’s a legit Bavarian town nestled high in the Cascade mountains that’ll transport you to an Oktoberfest without leaving America

REVOLUTION OKTOBERFEST CHICAGO, IL — Weekend of September 29th/30th

Revolution Brewing is a Chicago institution. This coming weekend, they’ll be taking their beer onto the streets along N. Milwaukee Avenue and Logan Square to celebrate their Revolution Oktoberfest brew and all things beer, Bavaria, and Chicago — and, assuredly, there’ll be some great sausages being grilled. There’s a suggested donation of $5 for entrance that’ll benefit the neighborhood school programs for Friends of Goethe School. Otherwise, it’s free to wander around the booths and beer taps at your leisure.

OKTOBERFEST DENVER, CO — Weekend of September 29th/30th

Denver’s Oktoberfest started last weekend and this coming weekend is the grand finale. Mugs of beer will be hoisted, sausages will be grilled, and the Polkanauts are playing live. There will be plenty of classic German Oktoberfest beers on tap with a wide selection of local brews from Denver and Colorado also making appearances.

Grab a ticket here to skip the lines.

OKTOBERFEST USA LA CROSSE, WI — September 28th to October 1st

Oktoberfest USA up in Wisconsin is one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich, with 150,000 people attending to party with polka. Wisconsin is also a mecca for craft beer lovers and the first night of the festivities is devoted to American craft brews. The fest combines the beer-soaked conviviality of a great Oktoberfest with the overblown nature of a great American state fair. Plus there’s a Dachshund race. It’s a blast.

NEW ULM’S OKTOBERFEST, MN — Weekends of October 6th/7th & 13th/14th

65 percent of New Ulm’s population has German ancestry, making the city a great place to celebrate an Oktoberfest in America. The city shuts down their main street and lines it with food stalls, beer taps, and plenty of picnic tables for two weekends worth of beer festivities. The local brew, Schell’s Brewery, even offers special Oktoberfest tours of their factory during the festival, so beer lovers can go all in on beer culture without having to take a break from partying.

BIG BEAR LAKE OKTOBERFEST, CA — Every weekend until October 28th

Out in California, the best bet for a great Oktoberfest is up in Big Bear. Big Bear Lake hosts eight weekends from September through October of Oktoberfest fun. Each weekend has various activities happening indoors and outdoors (log sawing anyone?) all centered around drinking a lot of great beer from California and Germany.

OKTOBERFEST HOFBRAUHAUS LAS VEGAS, NV — Every weekend until October 31st

Oktoberfest doesn’t have to be a street party in some town up by the Great Lakes. It can be a great party in a brauhaus in Vegas, where great parties are done best. Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas is running Oktoberfest parties until October 31st every single weekend. Siegfried and Roy kicked off the festivities this year by tapping a massive wooden keg and the beer has been flowing nonstop since. So, if you’re in Vegas, get some Oktoberfest in by dipping into the Hofbrauhaus to raise a Maß or two in between big plates of pork shanks and dumplings.

WURSTFEST NEW BRAUNFELS, TX — November 3rd-12th

Okay, okay, this one doesn’t technically qualify as an ‘Oktoberfest’ per se. It’s in November after all. Yet New Braunfels’ Wurstfest is as close as it gets in Texas to a real Oktoberfest. Scores of people descend on a huge fairgrounds for all things German and Texan with plenty of fun fair rides thrown in for good measure. There’s a massive beer garden that serves plenty of German and local beers right next to a huge sausage hall serving delicious sausages. Add in some Texan food trucks and a carnival and you have yourself a great time.