September means cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes and Oktoberfest. From Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, the renowned beer festival brings thousands of beer lovers to Munich — it will be especially welcome after being canceled the last two years because of the pandemic. 

You don’t have to travel to Germany to celebrate. There’s the iconic Oktoberfest at Penn Brewery, and this year there is a newcomer.

The first-ever Rocktoberfest will be hosted by Beers of the Burgh on Saturday, Sept. 17, from noon to 10 p.m. at SouthSide Works, featuring local craft beer from Pittsburgh Brewing Company, Mindful Brewing, Cinderlands, Dancing Gnome Beer, Golden Age Beer, Old Thunder Brewing and Arsenal Cider. Food vendors include Black Dog Wood Fired Pizza, Veggies n’ At, Brisketburgh, and everyone’s favorite mall staple, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.

Rocktoberfest is about beer and food, but there will also be live music across two stages. Byron Nash, Stone Throwers, The Moat Rats, The Roof, The Living Street, and Right Turn Clyde will perform. 

Beers of the Burgh is building on the success of its Traveling Beer Market , which kicked off this summer in Lawrenceville. The group plans to visit Collier Township on Sept. 2, Homestead on Oct. 14, and Cranberry on Nov. 4. The rotating lineup of local breweries also features live music and food trucks.

“We’re always looking for new ways to showcase Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene and bring more people into this awesome community,” says Beers of the Burgh co-founder Mark Turic. “We wanted to take the concept of the Traveling Beer Market and crank it up a bit. Something with a bigger emphasis on music and maybe a slightly different take on the usual [Beers of the Burgh] fest.”  Byron Nash will be one of the performers at Rockoberfest, which will feature live music on two stages. Photo courtesy of Byron Nash.

Byron Nash will be one of the performers at Rockoberfest, which will feature live music on two stages. Photo courtesy of Byron Nash.

Beers of the Burgh works to connect the craft beer community with brewers, bar owners and ale fanatics of every kind. 

“[Local breweries] bring unique robustness to the neighborhoods they’re in, driving business and enriching our culture by supporting other local businesses and a ton of local artists,” says Turic. “For the most part, local breweries are incredibly welcoming, family-friendly places that are super community-driven and committed to bettering Pittsburgh.” 

Rocktoberfest tickets will be $12 until Sept. 6. Then pre-sale tickets will increase to $15 each, with day-of tickets priced at $20. Children 13 and under get in free. Grab an official Rocktoberfest stein for extra four ounces of beer per pour. beeroktoberfestSouthSide WorksAbout The AuthorJason Phox Jason Phox is a journalist in the Pittsburgh area working towards sharing important information with the people of the Steel City. I enjoy writing, photography, and mostly comic books.Related Posts Pittsburgh is the first stop for ‘Next Exit,’ Untappd’s new beer travel show Feelin’ lucky: Four Points Brewing taproom opens in the old Shamrock Inn

Jason Phox is a journalist in the Pittsburgh area working towards sharing important information with the people of the Steel City. I enjoy writing, photography, and mostly comic books.