Prost! Celebrate Oktoberfest 2024 in Bloomington-Normal and beyond

By Eat Local / September 12, 2024

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Bloomington-Normal!

It’s that exciting time of year again! Get ready to embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest right here in Bloomington-Normal and beyond. Don your lederhosen and prepare for an unforgettable experience filled with beer, brats, and good times at these local favorites:

Raise a Stein at Analytical Brewing

Join Analytical Brewing on Saturday, September 14th at 2 PM for their thrilling Stein Holding Competition! For a $20 entry fee, you’ll receive an exclusive Analytical Brewing Oktoberfest stein. Competitions are open for both men and women, with winners earning an Analytical Brewing t-shirt and the chance to advance to the Illinois State Steinholding Championship at Destihl Beer Hall on October 12th. Sign up online or visit the brewery to participate!

Stick around on Sunday, September 15th when the A to Z Catering Food Truck stops by from 1 pm to 5 pm. They’ll be serving up:

Beer Brat & Onions – simmered in beer then grilled, topped with grilled onions on a bun. Whole-grain mustard and/or ketchup available
Bierock – a large German hand pie, delectable dough encasing ground beef and cabbage mixture baked to golden perfection
German Potato Salad – A warm potato side featuring bacon and vinegar-based sauce
Cabbage – our special recipe!
Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese – All from scratch made with Keg Grove Brewing Company’s Hefeweizen

Oktoberfest Weekend Extravaganza at Destihl Beer Hall

Destihl Beer Hall’s annual Oktoberfest weekend (September 13-15) promises an action-packed schedule featuring live music, engaging activities, and a delectable selection of German-themed food, exclusive beer releases, and so much more.

Menu items include:

Beer Brats with Apples and Kraut – kern beer brat, fingerling potatoes, whole grain mustard, caramelized onion, sauerkraut & fire roasted apples, brown butter, sage
Pretzel Nachos – bavarian-style pretzel bites, cheddar cheese sauce, crumbled beer brat, sauerkraut, smoked gouda, ipa mustard, caraway seed, chive
Schnitzel Sandwich – pickle beer-brined & breaded pork cutlet, chow chow relish, mustard greens, roasted garlic aioli, pretzel bun, lemon

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 13th

Ceremonial Keg Tapping: 4:45 PM
DeadHead Shed Open: 4 PM – 8 PM
Der Nagelspiel (Nail Game): 5 PM – 8 PM
German American Central Society: 4:30 PM – 8 PM
DESTIHL Oktoberfest Merch Table: 4:30 PM – 8 PM
Cotton Candy Station: 4:30 PM – 8 PM
Heidelberg German Band: 5 PM – 9 PM
U.S. Steinholding Association State Qualifying Competition: 6 PM & 8 PM (Men’s & Women’s)
Costume Contest for Kids & Adults: 6 PM

Saturday, September 14th

Pilates & Pretzels with Nancy Nork: 10 AM – 11 AM
Brasshaufen Band: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
DeadHead Shed Open: 11 AM
Der Nagelspiel (Nail Game): 3 PM – 7 PM
Brat Eating Contest: 3:30 PM
German American Central Society: 4 PM – 8 PM
DESTIHL Oktoberfest Merch Table: 4:30 PM – 8 PM
Cotton Candy Station: 4:30 PM – 8 PM
Axe Throwing: 4 PM – 9 PM
U.S. Steinholding Association State Qualifying Competition: 6 PM & 8 PM (Men’s & Women’s)
Costume Contest for Kids & Adults: 6 PM
Die Spitzbuam Band: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Sunday, September 15th

Oktoberfest Makers Market: 10 AM – 2:30 PM
DeadHead Shed Open: 10 AM – 2:30 PM
Live Music: 10 AM – 2 PM

Savor Bavarian Classics at Destihl Restaurant

From now until September 24th, visit Destihl Restaurant and Brew Works to indulge in German-inspired classics such as:

Grilled Leberkäse (German Meatloaf): Beef, pork, and jalapeño bacon, served with mashed potatoes, Weissenheimer Hefeweizen gravy, dill, caraway seed, sauerkraut, Oktoberfest mustard seeds, pickled carrot, and parsley.
Oktoberfest Pizza: Kern beer brat, spiced apple, Swiss cheese, caramelized fennel, Italian cheeses, roasted garlic aioli, IPA mustard, and chives.
Black Forest Sundae: Chocoholic ice cream, sea-salted brownie, sour cherry sauce, whipped cream, and dark chocolate shavings.
Pickle & Potato Soup with Beer Brats: Beer brats, potato, onion, carrot, house-made pickles, Old Bay, chicken stock, sour cream, cracked black pepper, and fresh dill.
Festival Flight: Four 4oz pours of DESTIHL Lager, Weissenheimer Hefeweizen, Märzen Oktoberfest, and Wild Sour Series: Here Gose Nothin’.
Schnitzel à la Holstein: Available on their everyday menu.

A Taste of Germany at Maggie Miley’s

Whether you’re craving a cold beer or some hearty German fare, Maggie Miley’s delivers Oktoberfest perfection. Enjoy a bottle of Ichabod Pumpkin Ale or a glass of Weihenstephaner Hofbrau alongside menu items like:

Jager Schnitzel: Tenderized pork, lightly breaded and fried, served with lemon herb mushroom sauce, red cabbage slaw, and traditional warm potato salad.
Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel: Soft, warm pretzels served with your choice of Dijon mustard, chef’s mustard, or house-made cheese sauce.
Guinness Bratwurst: Grilled bratwurst topped with sauerkraut and grilled onions, accompanied by red cabbage slaw and warm potato salad.

Oktoberfest Celebration at Kemp’s Upper Tap

Join Kemp’s Upper Tap on Saturday, September 14th from 11 AM to 8 PM in the City of Lexington Parking Lot (on Main St.) for an all-German menu featuring eight Oktoberfest-style beers on tap, live music, and more! Menu highlights include:

Appetizers: Bavarian Pretzel (regular and giant), Beer Cheese, Fried Cheese Balls, and Pomme Frites.
Sandwiches: White Oak Beer Bratwurst, Beecherbrau Smoked Sausage, Chicken Schnitzel, and Pork Schnitzel Sandwich.
Hot Sides: German Potato Salad, Braised Red Cabbage, and Muenster Mac N Cheese.

Medici Oktoberfest – A Festive Feast

On Saturday, September 21st from 4 PM to 10 PM, enjoy traditional German food offerings both inside the restaurant and outside on the street. Medici will feature both traditional German Oktoberfest beers and American craft Oktoberfests.

A $7 cash-only cover charge will benefit the Normal Rotary Club, which will also host a stein hoisting contest with prizes. Be sure to check out the Oktoberfest swag available at their tent!

Live music will include polka from the St. Louis Express and The Heidelberg German Band, along with live alphorns from the Lindenhof Echoes Alphorns! Must be 21 to consume alcohol; all ages are welcome.

Oktoberfest Fun at Rob Dob’s

Visit Rob Dob’s for an exciting Oktoberfest celebration running from the week of September 19th through the end of October! They’ll feature traditional German food, craft beers, and lively music. Menu highlights include:

Appetizers: Bavarian Pretzel (with garlic butter and cheese sauce) and German Potato Pancakes (served with sour cream and applesauce).
Wiener Schnitzel: Breaded veal cutlets with German-style potato salad, bacon, onion, and cabbage mix, served with sauerkraut and a special sauce.
Jagerschnitzel: Pork cutlets served with sauerkraut, braised red cabbage, herb spaetzle, German-style potato salad, and mushroom gravy.
Sauerbraten: Braised beef with braised red cabbage, sauerkraut, herb spaetzle, German-style potato salad, and brown gravy.
Knockwurst & Bratwurst: Served with braised red cabbage, sauerkraut, herb spaetzle, grain mustard sauce, and German-style potato salad.
Bratwurst Sandwich: Served with German-style potato salad, sauerkraut, grain mustard, and a pretzel bun.
Sides: Sauerkraut, red cabbage, German-style potato salad, applesauce, and herb spaetzle.

Start Your Day with an Oktoberfest Skillet at Fort Jesse Cafe

Indulge in a delicious Oktoberfest Skillet featuring pork schnitzel, sour cabbage, caraway, beer and mushroom gravy, onion, and two eggs over hash browns, garnished with parsley and lemon. Available at Fort Jesse Cafe through the end of September!

Run N’ Erin’s Oktoberfest Menu

Visit Run N’ Erin’s to enjoy a selection of Oktoberfest delights, including:

Bratwurst and Side: Served with grilled onions and spicy mustard.
Weiner Schnitzel: Accompanied by two sides (pork lightly breaded and covered in gravy).
Pretzel Bites
German Potato Salad
Sides: Red cabbage, mashed potatoes & gravy, and sauerkraut.

Oktoberfest at Casper Brewing Company

Join Casper Brewing Company on Saturday, October 12th from 4 PM to 11 PM for an authentic Oktoberfest experience featuring German cuisine and beer on draft. Family-friendly atmosphere! In the meantime, pop in and sip on their 6.1 ABV Oktoberfest – on tap now!

Funktoberfest Pizza at Pizza Payaa

Try the Funktoberfest Pizza from Pizza Payaa, featuring Funk Farms Beef Bratwurst braised in White Oak beer, caramelized onions, house sauerkraut, White Oak beer mustard, and creamy white garlic sauce. It pairs perfectly with one of their Oktoberfest beers on tap!

With so many fantastic ways to celebrate, be sure to join us for Oktoberfest this year in town. From beer to brats to live music, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience the rich culture of Germany right here in Blo-No!