Oktoberfest means it’s time for beer celebrations around Fresno

It’s Oktoberfest, and that means lots of excuses to drink beer this month.

There are several beer-related events throughout the month, ranging from craft beer tasting at big festivals to events pairing beer with sausage, whole dinners, even cigars.

Tower Brewfest

First up is the seventh annual Tower Brewfest, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.

Giant tents are set up to provide lots of shade in the parking lot behind Tower Theatre. More than 60 beers, including some from home brewers, are available to sample along with live music. Organizers expect about 1,000 people to show up.

The $35 ticket cost includes a meal from one of four Tower restaurants that will have booths set up at the event.

Tickets can be purchased online or at several Tower businesses, including Tower Theatre.

Cigars and beer

Cigar Mas Fino, which just started carrying craft beer, is hosting a Steal the Glass cigars and beer event from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.

For $15, you get a Punch signature cigar and the first glass of beer from Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., including the glass itself. Raffles and giveaways are also part of the event.

Tioga-Sequoia will be serving its new Firefall Red Ale and its Rush Hour Breakfast Stout.

Cigar Mas Fino is at 1568 E. Nees Ave. Details: 559-322-8080.

Sausage Fest

Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen is holding a Sausage Fest Sunday, Oct. 11.

“It’s just us being funny about Oktoberfest,” says owner Ephiram Boss.

Around noon, the bar at 1279 N. Wishon Ave. will start serving Fresno State sausages. Beer served in boot-shaped beer mugs ranging from a half liter to 1.5 liters will also be available for sale, along with “lots of oompah music.”

Sudz in the City

One of the longest running beer-tasting festivals around, Sudz in the City, turns 21 this year.

It runs from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, near the clock tower on Mariposa Mall, which intersects with Fulton Mall in downtown Fresno.

More than 40 breweries serving only craft beer will participate. Five local bands will provide music. Tickets cost $50 and include a $10 voucher for a meal at 11 downtown restaurants.

This year the Downtown Fresno Partnership has handed over planning of the event to Croptown Creative, the marketing company headed by Peeve’s owner Craig Scharton.

The location and meal voucher – instead of food trucks – are designed to get people to explore more places downtown, says Angela Whitney, business manager of Croptown Creative.

“We actually want to bring business to the mall and not take business away from the mall,” she says. “It’s going to be open so people can walk around.”

More than 100 volunteers are getting educated on the beers that will be served, she says.

Tickets are available at https://fresnocraftbeer.showare.com.

Campagnia beer dinner

Restaurant Campagnia is hosting a Ballast Point beer dinner, four courses paired with a different beer from the San Diego brewery, Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The meal includes beers paired with ceviche with fried plantains, a jerk chicken bowl, broiled linguica and a mocha crème caramel dessert.

Tickets cost $50 in advance, $65 the day of the event.

The full menu and details are available at Campagnia.net. Reserve tickets by calling 559-433-3300.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Oktoberfest means it’s time for beer celebrations around Fresno."