Local brewery toasts Oktoberfest this Saturday

Oktoberfest at T.F. Brewing

September 30th

While Snowbird’s season long cries of prost might be the most locally well known hat tip to the mega-Munich fest – several others always join in the fun each Fall. The cream of the alternate crop this year looks to be the big bash at Templin Family Brewing, happening this year. This years event – their fifth annual recurrence – should be even easier to attend this year, seeing as the 300W construction project is now but a distant memory.

VIP entry starts at noon, while general admission begins an hour later. Either way the event runs all day until 9.00 p.m. The brewery writes that, “For our 5th annual Oktoberfest, we’re going big. We’re going to have more space than ever! More serving stations pouring beer, more food options, including Beltex, Vosen’s, and Weller’s Doner truck, and more bathrooms. Check out the merch tent for limited-edition tees and socks or round out your outfit with a felt hat or silk flower crown. We’ll have steinholding competitions, a beer puppet, and a photographer. More info and tickets available online.”

VIPs get the opportunity to snag a table on a first come first served basis while also witnessing a tapping of the keg ceremony; more than that they’ll receive a special TF tankard with an engraved steel TF topper, a first pour of any draught beer, and a meal token for Beltex. VIP tickets are priced $125. GA is priced at $40 for 1.00 p.m. entry and includes a ceramic mug and a first pour of any draught beer. Tickets can be purchased online.

Here’s what else is coming up on the food and drink calendar…

Scion Cider

October 4th

Partnering with Liberty Heights Fresh, Scion Cider will be hosting an extra special pairing and tasting event. The 21+ only bar will close to the public to highlight five American craft ciders from around the country.

Each cider will be paired with an artisan domestic cheese and charcuterie bite picked by LHF. As part of the event, guests will be able to learn about the agricultural operations and urban producers, many setting a new bar for cheese, charcuterie, and cider.

If you’re looking to up your holiday hosting game this year (charcuterie is the king of an easy party folks), or learn a little more about the burgeoning US cider scene – this one should prove invaluable. Price is $70 per person, or $35 without cider pairings. Tickets available online here.

Craftoberfest

October 7th

Running noon through 5.00 p.m. in the heart of South Salt Lake – this free to attend event. Now in its fifth year, the event gets bigger and better each year. I say that as attending myself for the past several years. Held in heart of the city’s Creative Industries Zone (Oakland Ave between Main and West Temple) the celebration of the city’s best features local beer, food trucks, live music, not least a collection of artists, makers and producers.

The event always stars a collection of custom barrels and kegs hand-painted by local artists in collaboration with community breweries and distilleries (all up for auction). And remember there’s a free fun bus roaming the SoSL streets at weekends right now – read more here.

La Caille harvest dinner

October 8th, 15th, 22nd

Held over a trio of October Sundays, this Sandy fine dining spot will be hosting a series of seasonal garden parties. Noon through 5.00 p.m. the restaurant plans to celebrate the harvest season in a number of ways. The restaurant explains guests will enjoy, “live music, food stations, lawn games, axe throwing, featured breweries, and of course, award-winning Chateau La Caille Wines. Enjoy the canyon patio and take in La Caille’s unmatched canyon and vineyard views.”

On the food side, guests can expect to sample:

• Soft baked pretzels & smoked beer cheese
• Farmer’s vegetable salad
• Hickory smoked pork ribs
• Beef sliders, gruyere, dijon
• German chocolate cake

Tickets (excluding alcohol) are priced $58 per person and can be purchased online.

Finca Pintxos Bar wine dinner

October 22nd

Presented by Pago Group founder and sommelier Scott Evans alongside Brad Jensen and Bryan Hinschberger of Bon Vivant Imports – rigs multi course wine paired dinner. Starting at 6.00 p.m. cost is $40 for food and $40 for wine. Menu as follows:

• Welcome of L’Origan ‘Aire’ Brut Nature Rosado 2019, PINOT NOIR/XAREL-LO, Penedes
• Ensaladatomate (GF)(V) | marinated tomatoes, cucumber, blue cheese aioli, fried shallot
  • Ca N’Estruc ‘Blanc’ ‘21, XAREL-LO/MUSCAT/MACABEU/GARNATXA BLANCA
• Pintxo, tortilla española, Spanish potato, onion and egg “omelet”, aioli, paprika
  • Ca N’Estruc ‘L’Equilibrista Blanc’ ‘19, XAREL-LO
• Paella Valenciana, classic Spanish rice, chicken, rabbit, chorizo, beans, herbs
  • Ca N’Estruc ‘Negre’ ‘22, GARNATXA/CARINYENA/SYRAH
• Bistec, reverse seared zabutan, romesco sauce, piquillo peppers
  • Ca N’Estruc ‘L’Equilibrista Negre’ ‘16, GARNATXA/SAMSO/SYRAH
• Flourless chocolate torte, Spanish olive oil, sea salt, whipped cream

Other useful links

• Free newsletter – signup and receive our weekly newsletter for free
• Food talk group – chew the fat with other like-minded Utah foodies over on Facebook.
• Best of SLC 2024 – what you can’t miss in the Beehive right now.

Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.