It may not quite be sweater weather, but this fall Floridians will definitely be putting on their beer coats.
The state offers a variety of beer-oriented festivals now through November in the same style of the world renowned Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, happening this year from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.
A trip across the Atlantic may not be in the books for some, but if you’ve got a spare weekend in the upcoming months you’ll be sure to find a festival where you can get your fill of beers and bratwurst.
For one of the most authentic German experiences, consider Fritz and Franz Bierhaus Oktoberfest in Coral Gables. While most stateside Oktoberfest festivals last three days tops, this one spans 11 full days.
“We’ve been doing it for 21 years now and every year it gets bigger and bigger… it’s just a really fun, exciting time for Coral Gables,” Fritz and Franz Bierhaus manager James Neuweg said.
Neuweg said they try to make their Oktoberfest as authentic as possible, even flying in entertainment from Austria and Germany. The event is free and generally attracts about 10,000 visitors annually.
Oktoberfest happenings plus other festivals are spread from the Keys to the Panhandle throughout the month, so grab your stein and your lederhosen and check out what the state has to offer:
German American Society of Pinellas Oktoberfest: Sept 25-26, Oct. 2-3, Oct. 9-10. Doors open at 5 p.m. 8098 66th St. N., Pinellas Park. germantampa.com/oktoberfest-2015
Epcot Food and Wine Festival: Sept. 25-Nov. 16. Tickets start at $97. 200 Epcot Center Drive, Orlando. disneyworld.disney.go.com
Orlando Oktoberfest: Sept. 26, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. 2300 Pembroke Drive, Orlando. www.oktoberfestorlando.org
German American Club Hollywood Oktoberfest: Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24. Begins at 5:30 p.m. each day. 6401 Washington St., Hollywood. www.germanamericanclubhollywood.org
Pinellas Oktoberfest: Sept. 25-26, Oct. 2-3, Oct. 9-10. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $6 per person. 8098 66th St. N., Pinellas Park. germantampa.com/oktoberfest-2015
Taptoberfest: Sept. 26-27. 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. $15 general admission. 699 W. Gaines St., Tallahassee. www.visittallahassee.com
Samuel Adams Octoberfest: Oct. 1-4. Thursday 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free. 2250 NW 2nd Ave., Miami. thisisoctoberfest.com
Fritz and Franz Bierhaus Oktoberfest: Oct. 1-11. Daily noon to midnight, Sundays noon to 8 p.m. Free admission. 60 Merrick Way, Coral Gables. www.bierhaus.cc/oktoberfest-index.php
Oakland Park Oktoberfest: Oct. 2-3. Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $5, children under 12 are free. 4000 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park. oaklandparkfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=19
Blocktoberfest: Oct. 3. Starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free, 21 and up only. Wall Street, Orlando. wallstplaza.net
Ruckus Oktoberfest: Oct. 3. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation required. In lot 11 of the Citrus Bowl. 1610 W. Church St., Orlando. www.facebook.com/events/831276816917986
Casselberry Oktoberfest: Oct. 3, 24. 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. 381 Orange Lane, Casselberry. www.orlandogermanclub.com
Florida Keys Oktoberfest: Oct. 3. Begins at 4 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner is $12 per person, RSVP at 305-852-1872. 92600 Overseas Highway, Tavernier. www.keylargochamber.org/events/Oktoberfest-838/details
Flora-Bama Oktoberfest: Oct. 3. All day and all night, with a cover for adults after 6 p.m. Taking place at the Flora-Bama, the Flora-Bama Yacht Club and the Flora-Bama Ole River Bar in Perdido Key. www.florabama.com/events/oktoberfest
Octoberfest Miami: Oct. 4. General admission is $28. 501 Marlins Way, Miami. www.octoberfestmiami.com
Jaxtoberfest: Oct. 9-10. 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. One-day tickets are $8 each, children 12 and under are free. 663 River City Drive, Jacksonville. jaxtoberfest.com
Avalon Park Oktoberfest: Oct. 9-10. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. both days. Free. 3680 Avalon Park E. Blvd., Orlando. www.eventsatavalonpark.com/festivals
42nd annual Oktoberfest: Oct. 9-11, 16-18. Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 8 p.m. 5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth. www.americangermanclub.org/oktoberfest/index.html
Port St. Lucie Oktoberfest: Oct. 9-11. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 9221 SE Civic Center Place, Port St Lucie. www.psloktoberfest.blogspot.com
Oktoberfest Tampa: Oct. 9-11. Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. www.oktoberfesttampa.com
The Original Beerfest: Oct. 10. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25-$65. 400 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. www.browardpalmbeach.com
Beer, Bacon, & BBQ Festival: Oct. 10. 2 p.m. to 7 pm. $25 in advance, $35 at the gates. 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. www.BeerAndBaconFestival.com
Oktoberfest on the Beach: Oct. 10. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free admission. Bay Palm Boulevard, Indian Rocks Beach. www.oktoberfestonthebeach.com
GIPA Oktoberfest: Oct. 10. Noon to 7 p.m. Free. 11919 SW 56th St., Miami. www.gipa.org/v3/oktoberfest.shtml
The Festival: Oct. 16-17. International celebration of beer and cider. 535 4th Ave N., St Petersburg. www.sheltonbrothers.com/festival
Panama City Oktoberfest: Oct. 16-17. Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 413 Harrison Ave., Panama City. www.pcdib.com
Celebrate Beer: Oct. 16-17. Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight. 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. www.ohpark.com
Oktoberfest in Cape Coral: Oct. 16-18, 23-25. Runs from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $6 at the gate, $5 in advance. 2101 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. www.capecoraloktoberfest.com
Oktoberfest Miami: Oct. 16-18, 23-25. Tickets for anyone 21 and older are $10. 11919 SW 56th St., Miami. gascmiami.org/oktoberfestmiami
Octoberfest Las Olas: Oct. 17. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets required. 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. www.octoberfestlasolas.com
Grovetoberfest: Oct. 17. Begins at 4 p.m. General admission is $40. 2820 McFarlane Road, Cocounut Grove. www.grovetoberfest.com
Rocky Water Brewfest: Oct. 17. $35 at the gate. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. www.rockywaterbrewfest.com
Oktoberfest at Mission San Luis: Oct. 23. Begins at 7 p.m. $55 per general admission ticket. 2100 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee. www.ecsbigbend.org/index.php/events/oktoberfest
Celebration Oktoberfest: Oct. 23-24. From 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Free. 701 Front St., Celebration. celebrationtowncenter.com/events/oktoberfest-2015
Upper Tampa Bay Oktoberfest: Oct. 23-25. 5 p.m to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. $5 admission. 11225 Race Track Road, Tampa. www.utbchamber.com/event/oktoberfest
Vero Beach Oktoberfest and Music Jam: Oct. 24. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $3. 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. www.vboktoberfest.com
