Burlington's bash is kaput, but you can roll out the barrel at these Oktoberfest events

The cancelation of Oktoberfest Vermont , the largest celebration of German beer and culture in the Burlington area, is the cause for much Sturm und Drang. First it was COVID-19 wiping out all our parties, now it’s Eastern Equine Encephalitis ?

The closest thing we might have to a Munich-style Oktoberfest won’t be happening this year, but we can still get together to put a little oom in our pah-pah. Communities and breweries in northern Vermont are going ahead with plans for their own smaller but similarly celebratory Oktoberfests filled with the namesake brew and more polka music than you ever dreamed of. Consider these five possibilities, all with free admission unless otherwise indicated.

American Flatbread Burlington Hearth

5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, the brewery known for its wood-fired flatbreads is urging all attending to “break out the lederhosen (or dirndls) and save the date for biers, brats, the Inseldudler Bavarian brass band , and fun for all ages on our back patio.”

American Flatbread Burlington Hearth , 115 St. Paul St., Burlington. (802) 861-2999, www.americanflatbread.com

Trapp Brewing Bierhall

11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, the bierhall at Trapp Family Lodge offers lunchtime and dinner seatings for a menu including chicken schnitzel, bratwurst with sauerkraut, vegan Austrian goulash, pretzels and bratwurst; and entertainment ranging from Bavarian-style music to stein-holding competitions.

Trapp Brewing Bierhall , 1333 Luce Hill Road, Stowe. $27-$55; free for ages 3 and under. (802) 253-5750, www.vontrappbrewing.com

Simple Roots Brewing

3-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, this brewery in a New North End shopping plaza presents a German-themed day filled with Bavarian pretzels and bratwurst, plus games as well as beer served in steins with Simple Roots logos.

Simple Roots Brewing , 1127 North Ave., Burlington. (802) 399-2658, www.simplerootsbrewing.com

Lawson’s Finest Liquids

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, taproom festivities include locally made bratwurst from 5th Quarter Butcher Shop; pretzels from Patrick's Green Mountain Twisters; an outdoor Munich-style beer garden; and newly released Fest Bier in a special Lawson's Finest stein. Musical acts including Red Admiral will perform. The day will also feature a stein-hoisting competition, a keg toss and brewery tours.

Lawson’s Finest Liquids , 155 Carroll Road, Waitsfield. (802) 496-4677, www.lawsonsfinest.com

St. Albans Oktoberfest

Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, the second-annual St. Albans Oktoberfest – a collaboration between Nelly’s Pub & Grill, 14 ^th Star Brewing and Mill River Brewing – features barbecued food from Mill River, a variety of drinks and games including stein hoisting, keg rolling, keg bowling, stein racing, cornhole and lawn pong.

Hard’ack Recreation Area , 284 Hard’ack Drive, St. Albans. $5-$25. www.oktoberfestvt.com

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com .

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Burlington's bash is kaput, but you can roll out the barrel at these Oktoberfest events