Beer and bratwurst galore at festivals and events in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival and with events across Scotland celebrating beer, schnitzel and the mighty lederhosen you don’t need to travel to Bavaria to get hop happy.

Dundee
The local rotary host Dundee Rotary Oktoberfest (Thu 1–Sun 3 Oct) at the Discovery Quay. Throughout the long weekend they serve up real ale, craft ciders, stouts, lagers and products from microbreweries, all to a soundtrack of local live bands.

In the city square, Dundee Oktoberfest (Thu 4–Sun 8 Nov) invites drinkers into a 1,500 person tent, a bit larger than the usual campsite staple, for five hop-soaked days. Better still entry on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday is free.

Edinburgh
In the Capital West Princess Street Gardens gets a Bavarian makeover with Edinburgh Oktoberfest setting up in the Red Square (Wed 7–Sun 11 Oct). Over five days you can enjoy 5% beer that’s brewed in Germany according to the German purity law and listen to Schlager music.

Indigo Yard are getting into the spirit with a battle of the brewers. Brewdog go head to head with Harviestoun Brewery over four rounds with four beer styles including Amber Ale, Dark Ale, Barrel Aged Beer and a Wildcard. There’s Oktoberfest food platters to enjoy while you mull over the winner.

To help console you when October finishes Cafe Grande are hosting a Brewvember (see what they did there?) beer tasting with Oddbins (Sun 1 Nov).

Glasgow
Maryhill bar Crosslands, famed as the location chosen to film Trainspotting’s bar brawl scene where Frank Begbie throws a pint glass over a balcony, has undergone a £40,000 investment and emerges as So, What Comes Next. For the month of October the bar will honour Oktoberfest with oompa music, Bavaria beer courtesy of West Brewery and German snacks including bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels and even beer-braised pig knuckle.

West Brewery themselves host their own Oktoberfest events (Fri 2, Fri 9, Fri 16, and Fri 23 Oct). Guests can enjoy a two course German meal including Goulash soup and a choice of Jagerschnitzel, Currywurst or Bavarian Cheese Spatzle. There’s evening performances from the Brasswurst Bavarian Beer Band and brewery tour tickets for the best Oktoberfest costume.

On Glasgow Green Glasgow Oktoberfest (Thu 2–Sun 5 Oct) can welcome up to 2,500 people into their tent to squaff steins of beer. If you want to look the part you can rent an original Dirndl or Lederhosen.You know you want to.

Aberdeen
At Musa’s Oktoberfest celebration (Sun 4 Oct) they’re serving German tipples including Hefeweizen from south Germany and dark wheat ale Dunkelweizen as well as guest beers from local brewing newcomers Fierce Beer. You can soak up the booze with Schweinshaxe, Bohnensuppe, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut.

Oktoberfest Aberdeen (Wed 28 Oct–Sun 1 Nov) returns for a second year, this time at the new venue of Beach Links. Enjoy music courtesy of real Bavarian bands flown in from south Germany as you enjoy a beer or two. Sunday is a family friendly event with lunch options available for the kinder.