As summer turns to fall, people from every corner of the country flock to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountain air cools, and leaves turn from green to gold. This is a great time to take in the fall foliage with hiking, apple picking, or enjoying a cold beer at Asheville Oktoberfest. This autumn, celebrate our region’s craft beer scene with beer, food, and music in the heart of downtown. After getting a taste of fall at this special October event, fill in the rest of your day with recommendations from our free Vacation Guide! Inside, you’ll find all the season’s top attractions, like apple orchards, farms, hiking trails, and more.
Your Guide to Asheville Oktoberfest
National and Local Breweries
There’s no shortage of craft beer options at Asheville Oktoberfest. With more than 28 local breweries in attendance, you’ll definitely see some familiar breweries, like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Samuel Adams, and Lagunitas. You’ll also find some smaller local breweries, too, like Terrapin Beer Company, Foothills Brewing, and Pisgah Brewing. Many of Western North Carolina’s local breweries are proudly regional, so you won’t find beer like this anywhere else in the world!
Mouth-Watering Eats
It isn’t a proper Oktoberfest event without Bavarian-inspired cuisines. Asheville hosts an assortment of vendors serving German staples. Indulge in bratwursts, Reubens, specialty pretzels, and other delicious finger foods. You certainly won’t have to look far for something to snack on in-between beer tastings!
Remember, if Oktoberfest leaves you looking for more ways to get a taste of Western N.C., join us for dinner at The Esmeralda Restaurant. We create our menu with the seasons in mind so that we can provide you with the freshest produce, best meats, fish, and ingredients possible. From classic Southern cuisine like house-made crab cakes to savory favorites like cheese and charcuterie, our timeless dishes have something for every palate. We also are proud to offer a variety of local craft beer options on our beer and wine list!
Fantastic Fall Entertainment
In addition to beverages and food, Asheville Oktoberfest has live bands that play German-themed music all afternoon. This entices dancing, laughter, cheers, and an all-around good time! With folk tunes filling the air, drinks flow like water as games and competitions ensue. The crowd will cheer as teams compete in drinking relay races, bratwurst eating competitions, a traditional German costume contest, and much more. You might leave tired, but certainly not hungry or thirsty!
The Perfect Mountain Retreat
After a busy day at Asheville Oktobfest, many visitors love returning to the peacefulness of a mountainside cabin. If this sounds like your idea of the perfect fall getaway, then we’d love to host you at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant! Gather up your friends and family for a stay in one of our spacious cabins. Mountain views, gourmet breakfast, access to our heated outdoor spa, massage services, and our dinner restaurant are a few ways to make your stay special.
When you are ready to plan your fall getaway, remember your copy of our free Vacation Guide! We hope to host you soon at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant.