Firestone-Walker’s Oaktoberfest takes place in October at the Avila Beach Golf Resort (6450 Ana Bay Dr., AvilaBeachResort.com), a 45-minute drive from the brewery and near Pismo Beach. Note that it’s 21 and over only. Event Manager Tim Miller says that like all Oktoberfests, it includes great music, but expect the polka band to work in some modern tunes. The Beer Olympics includes favorites such as a keg toss, stein race and a less breathless stein-hold competition. There are some German beers such as Spaten Oktoberfest in addition to Firestone-Walker’s Oaktoberfest, Hefeweizen, and others. Food-wise, one twist is a whole pig smoked using staves from barrels previously used to age Parabola imperial stout.
Brian Yaeger
Brian Yaeger is the author of Red, White, and Brew: An American Beer Odyssey.