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Where to celebrate Oktoberfest 2014 in Melbourne

As millions of beer lovers descend on Munich for the annual Oktoberfest, Melburnians charge their steins for their own celebrations. Here's what's on.

Cathryn Hill

Keg tapping at Munich Brauhaus for Oktoberfest.
Keg tapping at Munich Brauhaus for Oktoberfest.Supplied

European Bier Cafe

European Bier Cafe will host three ticketed "Beer Hall" events every Friday from October 3 to 17. The $35 ticket price includes a litre stein glass (beer included), a bretzel and entertainment by a live oompah band. Pair one of the seven German biers on tap with a Hahnchen schnitzel, Munich weisswurst, grilled kransky or bratwurst sausage, available in addition to the regular menu.

120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 9663 1222, europeanbiercafe.com.au

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Forester's Beer and Music Hall

On Wednesday, October 1, Collingwood newbie Forester's will dedicate eight taps to German-style biers – four brewed in Germany and four by Australian breweries. They are taking an educational rather than carousing approach to Oktoberfest, with resident beer expert Damian Lyons holding an information session on German beer purity laws and the history of Oktoberfest. Free samples will be offered.

64 Smith Street, Collingwood, 8415 1464, forestershall.com.au

Sausage purveyors Phat Brats are pairing with Red Hill Brewery.
Sausage purveyors Phat Brats are pairing with Red Hill Brewery.Bonnie Savage


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If you're looking for an authentic Oktoberfest experience, Club Tivoli is a go-to. Kicking off at 11am on Saturday, October 11 and continuing the following day Club Tivoli will serve be dishing up traditional German food, beers such as Schofferhofer and Hofbrauand plenty of schnapps (including specials on Jagermeister). You'll be entertained by German bands and dancers all day – and long into the night. Don your dirndl to join in the fun.

291 Dandenong Road, Windsor, 9529 5211, germanclubtivoli.com.au

Prost! Steins at Munich Brauhaus.
Prost! Steins at Munich Brauhaus.Supplied

Hofbrauhaus

Touting themselves as "das original un das beste", Hofbrauhaus has been celebrating Oktoberfest in Market Lane since 1968. Hofbrauhaus takes bier seriously with an ever-changing list that includes seven tap and eight bottled beers from some of Bavaria's best boutique producers. Call in before October 5 for traditional German fare and entertainment. Try to conquer the schnitzel challenge; it's BIG.

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18-20 Market Lane, Melbourne, 9663 3361 hofbrauhaus.com.au


Another new beer hall hosts its first festival, dubbed "Hoptoberfest" until October 5. Hophaus is flying in Erdinger Hefeweizen beer from Germany.There's face painting, best-dressed competitions and prizes for those decked out in their best lederhosen and dirndl costumes, live music and DJs and lots of frankfurters for the "Lord of the Sausage" sausage-eating competition. The regular menu will be available but executive chef Marc Brown is adding some specials during October, such as rotisserie suckling pig (including nose and tail delicacies); wurst windrad, a one-kilogram sausage pinwheel smothered in mustard and sauerkraut; Kassler pork cutlet; and giant bretzels.

Mid level, Southgate, Southbank, 9682 5900 hophaus.com.au

Munich Brauhaus

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This new 900-seat venue is celebrating with traditional games such as hammerschlagen (nail hammering), stein-carrying competitions, and drain-the-keg Sundays. "Bier flights" will showcase traditional and exclusives brews and four Oktoberfest-themed set menus from $48 a head will keep you well fed. Munich Brauhaus will host a Jagermeister party from October 3 to October 6, with another round of keg tapping on Friday and Saturday nights.

45 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf, 1300 686 424, munichbrauhaus.com

Oktoberfest in the Gardens

On Saturday, October 25 Birrarung Marr gets festive! Attempting to replicate the original Oktoberfest atmosphere, you'll be entertained by yodellers and accordion players. Pork knuckles, bratwurst with sauerkraut, pig spit roast, schnitzel rolls and laugenbrezel will keep the over-18 crowd well fed, and there's plenty of German beer for swilling. There will be prizes for Miss and Mr Oktoberfest, along with the stein-holding and bratwurst-eating champions. Tickets from $49.50.

Birrarung Marr, Batman Avenue, Melbourne oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au

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Red Hill Brewery

This year Red Hill is teaming up with sausage experts Phat Brats to celebrate Oktoberfest on October 11 and 12. The brewery's Kolsch, Hefeweizen, Pilsner, Weizenbock and Festbier beers are matched with the menu: cheesy smoked kransky with sauerkraut and mustard; the Phat Brat with pulled pork, apple slaw and barbecue sauce; the Oktoberfest Dog, made with a weisswurst, beer-braised onions, pickle relish and sweet Bavarian mustard and a side of pretzels; and the currywurst – sliced brat on a bed of beer-battered fries topped with curry ketchup. No booking is required but you should reserve a souvenir stein; it's $28 for 500ml or $45 for a one-litre glass including one fill.

88 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, 5989 2959 redhillbrewery.com.au

South Wharf Promenade

Dining precinct South Wharf Promenade hosts a family-friendly Oktoberfest Festival from 10am to 6pm on Saturday October 4, in and around the venues housed in restored cargo sheds. Activities include a traditional keg tapping and German slap dancers.

South Wharf, Melbourne, southwharfpromenade.com.au

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