Backyard Beer Garden
Autumn is a perfect time to host a party outside. Create a cozy setting by transforming your backyard or patio into a Bavarian-themed beer garden. Seat your guests at long communal tables with outdoor chairs or benches to encourage conversation and create a family-style atmosphere. A blue and white diamond pattern is the traditional color scheme, and you can also accent with the colors of the German flag—red, yellow and black. Drape your tables in linens for a classic and casual table setting. Set up a canopy to shield from the sun during the day, and to hang string lights and garlands from to keep the mood friendly and festive into the evening. Invite your guests to dress in the traditional Lederhosen, for men, and Dirndl for women. Play some German folk music over your speakers—after a few beers you may even feel up to the challenge of singing a traditional German drinking song.
Prost like a pro
With so many varieties of beer and other beverages to choose from, we think it’s perfectly acceptable to select from what you know and what you think your guests will enjoy. Hefeweizens, pilsners and specially-brewed märzen lagers are the most common beers offered during Oktoberfest, but don’t be afraid to stick to your favorites or try something new and exotic. Set up a display of beers in an ice bucket or cooler with various options to choose from. A good way to go is to mix and match imported German, craft and microbrew bottles. Dress up your pours in the correct style of beer glasses for a proper touch. For a gluten-free option, offer a crisp apple or pear cider, or a schnaps, a distilled brandy or herbal liqueur, such as Jägermeister. Or try a radler—half beer and half lemonade or flavored soda—for a refreshing sip. Find the right beer glass with our beer glass guide.
Fill your plate
There’s no need to break out fancy place settings. Serve family-style dishes and appetizers that can be prepped ahead of time, and stack up melamine dinnerware, cocktail napkins and forks so guests can eat whenever they feel like it. Serve up German-style charcuterie boards with any number of cheeses, cured meats, pickles, veggies and pretzels for easy snacking. Wood serving platters add a rustic touch. Grill up bratwursts, hot dogs and other sausages for quick and easy finger foods. Be sure to accompany them with a soft pretzel, some spicy mustard and sauerkraut for a classic Oktoberfest meal.
For the kids
Kids (and non-drinkers) won’t feel left out with a root beer in a frosty mug or a traditional German Apfelschorle—apple juice and soda. For a fun activity, make up some pretzel dough ahead of time and have kids twist it into fun shapes before baking. With pumpkins and gourds in season, it’s a perfect time to do some fall decorating. Set a table with washable paints and brushes and give each kid a pumpkin.
Oktoberfest glossary
Prost German for cheers
Bierzelt Beer tent
Lederhosen Leather trousers, usually worn with a white shirt and knee-length socks
Dirndl Traditional German and Austrian women’s dress
Märzen Medium to full bodied lager brewed specially for the Oktoberfest season
Hefeweizen Top-fermented beer brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley
Radler A 50/50 combination of beer, typically a pilsner, and lemonade or flavored soda
Apfelschorle Apple juice and soda
Schnaps A distilled alcoholic beverage or liqueur typically served in a shot glass
Brezel Pretzel, a favorite Oktoberfest snack
Share your favorite Oktoberfest party ideas with us using the hashtag #Cratestyle.