Autumn abundance: Beer festivals to celebrate fall

Say goodbye to the summer shandys and step away from the wheat beers – fall beer festivals are about to take over your local event calendar. Grab a planner and take note these fun beer-themed events celebrating all things autumn.

Perch Pub Oktoberfest, Washington Square West - Sept. 20

You're not going to find Pumpkin brews at this Oktoberfest celebration. Victory Brewing Company takes over the taps at Perch Pub for an evening of signature ales like Victory Mad King's Weiss and Oktoberfest seasonal beers like Victory Festbier. Want some seasonal swag? Brewery reps will be handing out prizes as well as limited edition stein glasses.

Frankford Hall Oktoberfest, Fishtown - Sept. 20-25

Frankford Avenue gets festive from Girard Ave. all the way to Shackamaxon St. This neighborhood turns a little Germany for a huge Oktoberfest block party. Sponsored by Frankford Hall, guests can expect traditional pours, delicious sausages, and traditional music and games. Want to try a new brew from Yards? Yards' Frankford IPA will be available throughout the festival.

Brauhaus Schmitz's Oktoberfest, South Philadelphia - Sept. 20

Lederhosens and dirndls will reign over the 700 block of South St. as authentic German bar Brauhaus Schmitz throws their annual block party. Perform your funkiest chicken dance, munch on German food by Chef Jeremy Nolan, and cheers your stein with close buddies as you sip on a Brauhaus Oktoberfest brew by Traunstein Hofbrauhaus.

PHS Fall Festival, South Philadelphia - Sept. 20

Welcome autumn by enjoying a Yards at the beer garden, browse the vintage and craft goods at the popular Franklin Flea, pick up some new plants for your home, and keep the kiddies active with a family-friendly fun zone.

Morgan's Pier Oktoberfest, Delaware Waterfront - Sept. 20

Celebrate your Oktoberfest with autumn harvest brews, warm spiked beverages, sausages, and live music at this decorated beer garden next to the Delaware River.

Hop Angel Festivals, Fox Chase - Sept. 20 through Oct.

A Fox Chase bar favorite gets into the seasonal spirit with four festivals lined up for the upcoming weekends. From Saturday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 21, enjoy all things gourd at Pumpkin Fest. This event feature pumpkin picking and activities for the little guys, too.

On Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 28 Oktoberfest takes over the bar with festive liters and food. Whoever wears a dirndl or lederhosen to the party will receive a free sausage sandwich.

Apple seeds, ciders, and foods galore during Apple Fest on Saturday, Oct. 11 through Sunday Oct.12, followed by Harvest Fest, finishing the festival series on Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday Oct. 19.

Iron Abbey's Beer School with Joe Sixpack, Horsham - Sept. 25

Joe Sixpack, the man who writes about beer for a living, probably has the best job ever. He is hosting a class about food and beer pairings featuring Oktoberfest brews and artisan German sausage from the Hatboro Sausage Factory.

Alla Spina's Oktoberfest,  Fairmount - Sept. 26- Sept. 28

Marc Vetri's Italian gastro pub gets a Hungarian makeover as Victory Brewing takes over the taps at Alla Spina from Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28. Guests can enjoy festival dishes and beers all weekend long with special events such as a stein-holding competition on Friday and a street festival on Sunday.

Pour the Core Cider Fest, South Philadelphia - Sept. 27

Apple bobbing won't be happening here, but during the Pour the Core Cider Fest guests can indulge in over 70 ciders from Ace to Samuel Smith. As you taste your cider, soak in some interesting facts during seminars that will educate you on the process of ciders, workshops that will teach you how to, and more.

Xfinity Live! Oktoberfest, South Philadelphia - Sept. 27

200 beers to sample, live music to enjoy and giveaways throughout the day, Xfinity Live! will be quite spot for an Oktoberfest celebration.

Downingtown Fall Fest – Sept. 28

This suburban festival packs a punch when it comes to entertainment. Live rock bands will take stage, two extreme BMX riding shows will dazzle and local food and craft vendor tents will line the fest. Beer options? Victory Brewing is from Downingtown and is also the sponsor of the event, so you can expect a wide range of seasonal beers from this beloved hometown company.

Beerfest Royale, King of Prussia – Oct. 2 & 4

The largest outdoor beer festival in the suburbs welcomes autumn with two days of drinking fun featuring over 100 craft brews and international pours. There will also be delicious food to keep your tummies full.

Midtown Village Fall Fest, Center City – Oct. 4

Held every first Saturday in October (last year is an exception) the vendors of Midtown Village get together for a street festival featuring, live music, food vendors, family activities, and a large beer garden. Local bars Drury, McGillin's, and Bru all get together for some celebratory action and partying.

Grumblethorpe Oktoberfest, Germantown – Oct. 4

Oktoberfest isn't just about drinking and sausages, there's history behind it too. Guests can watch a reenactment of the Battle of Germantown and then wash down their history lesson with a cold one.

Ambler Main Street Oktoberfest, Ambler – Oct. 4

Little Germany takes over the streets of downtown Ambler for its 23rd Annual Oktoberfest. This event will entertain all ages with festive activities, music, food, and harvest beers.

Roxtoberfest, Roxbourough – Oct. 4

Steep hills don't stop this neighborhood from holding their Oktoberfest celebration. Vendors line up throughout the streets featuring seasonal food, Interactive games, festive ales such as Shock Becks Oktoberfest, musical performances by Brooke Dicaro, Laura Cheadle, Oiron Freeman, and Tymm Holland

6th Annual Charlie Brown Pumpkin Festival, Spring Garden – Oct. 4

Now in its sixth year, the Institute's pumpkin fest will feature 107 pumpkin-flavored beers, ciders, lambics and sours making them one of the biggest pumpkin beer festivals on the planet. Watch out, your skin might turn orange after this one.

Bloktoberfest, South Philadelphia – Oct. 11

South Street knows how to throw a block party and Bloktoberfest will entertain all ages – family-friendly events, live music, and the food flavors of Philadelphia. And for the adults, beer of course will be served.

Strangelove's Hop Harvest Fest, Washington Square West – Oct. 15

It's not so strange to see that this gastro pub is joining in on the fun. Guests can enjoy wet-hopped beers perfect for fall time drinking. Some drafts on the list include Anderson Valley Fall Hornin, Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela, Port High Tide, and tons more.

Dilworth Park Oktoberfest, Center City – Oct. 18, 23, 25

City Hall's recently opened park gets into the festive spirit for three days of interactive arts installations, live DJs and bands, vendors, and a social 21+ beer garden.

Thirstoberfest, Kensington - Oct. 18

With 25 flagship and limited release beers from regional craft breweries, who wouldn't want to enjoy a cold one at Memphis Taproom's beer garden for their Oktoberfest celebration? If you're hungry, there's special Thirstoberfest hot dogs that will be served from the food truck in the garden.

1st Annual Bloody Mary Festival at Howl at the Moon, Rittenhouse Square– Oct. 19

This isn't your typical Oktoberfest – it's a Bloody Mary Fest. Spike those tomato drinks and try out the best Bloody Mary concoctions created by local restaurants and bars in the city of Philadelphia.