We first wrote The CBN Guide To: Oktoberfest back in 2018. Now seems like a good time to update things, as there are so many events in the North East that you won’t want to miss. Oh, and if you’re looking for some UK Oktoberfest-inspired beers to try, you’ll want to read this.
A brief introduction to Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest takes place in Munich and is a Volksfest (‘peoples’ festival’, combining a beer fest with a funfair). Millions of people flock to the German celebration every year, to enjoy the atmosphere, scoff traditional food, and sample Oktoberfest beers.
Generally, the festival runs for 16 days, up to the first Sunday in October (but it’s extended if the first Sunday falls on the 1st or 2nd of the month so that German Unity Day can be included on the 3rd of October).
The beer served must be brewed within the city limits of Munich, and conform to the German Purity Laws (Reinheitsgebot), so the six breweries allowed to make official Oktoberfest beer are:
As with everything historical, there are numerous tales as to how it all began, but the most accepted version is that in 1810 a prince married a princess and they had a big party and there was a horse race, then they decided to do it every year.
The 2022 event officially runs from Saturday 17th September to Monday 3rd October.
North East Oktoberfest Events
There are always venues looking to celebrate Oktoberfest; some are more authentic than others. Our pick of the best events happening here in the North East is below.
Axis
Axis will be hosting a Cloudwater tap takeover on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October, with all four of their German-style Oktoberfest releases alongside other fresh releases in the classic Cloudwater style. The street food up the road at The Central can be enjoyed at Axis, too (more about that below).
📍 Arch 16, Wellington Street, Gateshead, NE8 2AJ
🕰️ Friday 30th September (2pm – 11pm) + Saturday 1st October (12pm – 11pm)
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Facebook
Blackfriars
If you’d like a more hands-on Oktoberfest event you can celebrate in true Bavarian style with Blackfriars Cookery Club. Try your hand at creating popular Bavarian items such as savoury pretzels, sweet pretzels, and traditional German condiments. You’ll also get to sample three German beers with help from an expert taster.
📍 Friars Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4XN
🕰️ Thursday 6th October (6pm – 9pm)
🎟️ Tickets £65 • ℹ️ Facebook event
Caps Off
Celebrate Oktoberfest with Caps Off Brewery, who’ll have ten German beers on draught. There’s also German-themed food from the Caps Off Kitchen, with entertainment from a DJ and local band. The event is family-friendly, dog-friendly, and has free parking. Oh, and if you want to dig out your lederhosen for the occasion, there’s an optional fancy dress.
📍 Unit 4, Century Court, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6WA
🕰️ Saturday 22nd October (2pm – 10pm)
🎟️ Tickets £10 • ℹ️ Website
The Central Bar
The Central Bar shall be packed with a whole host of Oktoberfest beer, food and other events throughout the weekend. The beer list includes fest beers from Ayinger, Erdinger, Flensburger, Hacker Pschorr, Hofbraü, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten, plus special cask beers on the bar. German-style street food will be available from #PoshStreetFood – a pop-up by critically acclaimed chef Matei Baran.
📍 Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 2AN
🕰️ Friday 30th September – Sunday 2nd October
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Facebook event
Full Circle Brew Co.
Full Circle are rearranging their taproom to transform the space into more of an Oktoberfest beer hall to celebrate the release of a brand new Fest Bier, brewed in collaboration with Thornbridge Brewery.
Pouring alongside the collab. will be some traditional German Oktoberfest beers including Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, and Löwenbräu. You can also expect Oktoberfest-themed pizzas on Friday and Saturday, too.
📍 167 Walker Road, Hoults Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2BS
🕰️ Thursday 29th September – Sunday 2nd October
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Facebook event
McColl’s Brewery
Alongside a brand new look, McColl’s Brewery has brewed a brand new Fest Lager for Oktoberfest 2022, and they’re launching it at their taproom during Oktoberfest. Expect 2-pint steins, Oktoberfest-themed tunes, and bratwurst + pretzels from AC/CC Events. The event is family-friendly, and dogs are welcome.
📍 Unit 4, Randolph Industrial Estate, Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9SJ
🕰️ Friday 30th September (3pm – 9pm) – Saturday 1st October (3pm – 9pm)
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Facebook event
Microbus Gateshead
And now for something a little different – Dogtoberfest at Microbus in Gateshead. Alongside Oktoberfest beer from Munich for the humans, there’ll be dog beer and treats, plus pretzels and silly hats.
📍 Arch 2, Wellington Street, Gateshead, NE8 2AJ
🕰️ Wednesday 28th September
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Website
The Salt Market Social
A later-than-usual Oktoberfest event takes place at the Salt Market Social, with four sessions packed with a good selection of Bavarian-style beers, plus bratwurst and frankfurters to keep you going. There’s Bavarian and live music throughout the weekend, and you’re welcome to turn up in traditional or fancy dress.
German Bier Halle style set up with long benches and decor
📍 1 Liddell Street, North Shields, NE30 1HE
🕰️ Thursday 20th October – Saturday 22nd October
🎟️ Tickets £7-£9 +bf • ℹ️ Facebook event
Station East
Something a little different for Oktoberfest at Station East in Gateshead – they’ll be pouring some alternative German beers on draught, including Bitburger Premium Pils, Schneider’s Bayrisch Hell and Schneider Weisse Original, plus traditional bottles of Paulaner Münchner Hell will be on sale, too.
📍 Hill Street, Gateshead, NE8 2AS
🕰️ Wednesday 28th September
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Facebook
Tyne Bank Brewery
Join Tyne Bank to celebrate Oktoberfest a little later this October. Lederhosen optional. German beers will be flowing in steins alongside authentic German street food and an Oompah Band. The event is held in 3 sessions – Friday night, Saturday day, and Saturday night.
📍 375 Walker Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2AB
🕰️ Friday 7th October (6.30pm – 11.30pm) – Saturday 8th October (12pm – 5.30pm / 6.30pm – 11.30pm)
🎟️ Tickets £7.50 +bf • ℹ️ Facebook event
Vaux Brewery
Put on your lederhosen and join in the very first Vauxtoberfest at the Vaux Taproom. Alongside imported German fest beers from Hofbräu, Spaten, Erdinger, Ayinger and Paulaner, there’ll also be special Oktoberfest-inspired pizzas from Slice (served from 12pm – 8pm on both days).
📍 Unit 2, Monk Street, Sunderland, SR6 0DB
🕰️ Friday 23rd September – Saturday 24th September (12pm – 10pm)
🎟️ Free entry • ℹ️ Facebook event
Ye Olde Cross
Join the team at Ye Olde Cross for a real German feast accompanied by lots of German beer, wine & schnapps! Bavarian costume is encouraged (though not compulsory!). On Friday 23rd September, there’s also a special Oktoberfeast upstairs, with a traditional Bavarian cuisine menu.
📍 Barmoor Lane, Ryton Village, Ryton, NE40 3QP
🕰️ Saturday 17th September – Monday 3rd October
🎟️ Free entry (Tickets £35 for the Oktoberfeast) • ℹ️ Facebook
If you’re hosting an event and would like to be considered for inclusion in future blog posts, make sure you email us details!