A guide to Oktoberfests in the Twin Cities

Gasthof's annually raucous weekend tent parties start Friday night. BYO beer mug or buy one for $6. Expect the usual beer, brats and polka bands.

5-11 p.m. Fri. & Sat. through Oct. 11. 2300 University Av. NE., Mpls., 612-781-3860, www.gasthofzg.com

The seventh annual SurlyFest returns to the brewery Saturday with food trucks galore and music from Alpensterne aka the Bratwurst Boys, Shannon Blowtorch, Umbrella Bed and the Pistol Whippin Party Penguins. $40 tickets include four beers and a commemorative stein.

2-6:17 p.m. Sat., $40 ($10 designated driver). 4811 Du­sharme Dr., Brooklyn Center, 763-535-3330, www.surly brewing.com

Eat Street staple Black Forest Inn does 10 nights of Oktoberfest with live music and themed events (Eurotrash night, Angela Merkel night, etc.) culminating with a drain-the-keg party Oct. 5.

Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 1 E. 26th St, Mpls., 612-872-0812, www.blackforestinnmpls.com

Northeast Minneapolis beer bar New Bohemia throws its alpine hat in the Oktoberfest ring again with its 12-brewery mini beer fest. Plus, keg bowling, beer pong, a wiener dog keg pull and more.

612Brew starts the Germanic party with food trucks, hammerschlagen and live music from Kingsview, Center Coast, Lee Rude, Pennyroyal, Mississippi Hot Club and the Federales.

Noon-7 p.m. Sept. 27, 945 NE. Broadway, Mpls., 612-217-0437, www.612brew.com

Belgian- and German-inspired Harriet Brewing hosts its fourth annual Rauchfest party with 10 bands playing on two stages, a food-truck trinity, live painters and the release of the event's namesake smoked Oktoberfest lager.

Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 27, 3036 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., 612-315-4633, www.harrietbrewing.com

Twin Cities Oktoberfest takes over the Progress Building at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds with Summit brews, Bavarian eats, dancing and live music from Alpensterne, the Jolly Huntsmen Band, the Squires Band and S.G. Edelweiss.