PITTSBURGH BREWERY FIELD GUIDE
Under the Fledermaushöhle: Penn Brewery’s Munich‑Style Firkin Tapping Kicks Off Pittsburgh’s Oktoberfest
A compact, five‑hour kickoff celebration at Penn Brewery featuring a Munich‑style firkin‑keg tapping, live Polkamaniacs music, and curated pours—this guide orients you to what to expect.
Under the Fledermaushöhle: Penn Brewery’s Munich‑Style Firkin Tapping Kicks Off Pittsburgh’s Oktoberfest.
Penn Brewery throws open the doors for Pittsburgh’s Oktoberfest kickoff with a Munich‑style firkin‑keg tapping under the Fledermaushöhle tent. For five hours you can expect food, live music from the Polkamaniacs, and celebratory pours—including a complimentary stein and a specialty maple‑bourbon cave beer—set against a festive Northside atmosphere.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Munich‑Style Firkin Tapping on the Band Stage
The event’s centerpiece is the traditional firkin‑keg tapping beneath the Fledermaushöhle tent, a ceremonial pour that launches the festival’s energy and draws the crowd to the band stage.
Polkamaniacs Live — Prime Evening Set
Live music shapes the rhythm of the night: the Polkamaniacs play the main set, providing Polka and festival fare from evening into night that keeps the celebration moving.
Complimentary Stein plus a Specialty Cave Beer
Attendees receive a glass stein with a stein fill and a 5‑ounce pilsner glass pour of the specialty maple‑bourbon cave beer, plus $15 in Ofest Bucks for the food line—small ceremonial touches that shape the VIP experience.
What the day feels like
What the Night Feels Like
Arrive as the doors open and step into a tented band stage where a Munich‑style firkin tapping sets the tone. Over five hours the space fills with the clang of steins, the Polkamaniacs’ live set, food service lines fueled by Ofest Bucks, and specialty pours that mark the evening as Pittsburgh’s official Oktoberfest kickoff.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this evening is best for—and who should skip it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
VIP package elements include a glass stein with one stein fill, a 5‑ounce pilsner glass with one fill of the specialty maple‑bourbon cave beer, and $15 in Ofest Bucks for the food line.
The programmed portion of the kickoff runs for five hours with doors opening at 5:00 PM.
The firkin‑keg tapping happens on the band stage beneath the Fledermaushöhle tent.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the event last?
The kickoff celebration runs for five hours.
What time do doors open?
Doors open at 5:00 PM.
Is there a minimum age to attend?
Yes—this event is for ages 21 and older.
Where does the firkin tapping take place?
The firkin‑keg tapping is held under the Fledermaushöhle tent on the band stage.
Who is performing and when?
The Polkamaniacs perform on the band stage from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
What does the VIP package include?
The package includes a glass stein with one stein fill, a 5‑ounce pilsner glass with one fill of the specialty maple‑bourbon cave beer, and $15 in Ofest Bucks for the food line.