september

 Get ready to don your Lederhosen or Dirndl; our annual Oktoberfest Weekend is back at DESTIHL Beer Hall! We’re celebrating another Oktoberfest season with live music, German-inspired eats, vendors, activities, and exclusive beer releases. Enjoy DESTIHL brews, wine, cocktails, and beertails all weekend long. The celebration kicks off Friday the 11th at 4:00 pm!

To view our full Oktoberfest Weekend Calendar, use the link below or visit the Events Oktoberfest tab above. 

Stretch it out before you stein it up! Spend your Oktoberfest Weekend Saturday morning with an hour of mat Pilates on the front lawn led by instructor Nancy Nork, then reward the effort with DESTIHL's famous Bavarian pretzels with cheese (included with your ticket).

Full weekend brunch menu available in the Beer Hall after class. Tickets are $12. Don't forget to bring your mat.

The 2nd Annual Dachshund Races are back for Oktoberfest Weekend at DESTIHL Beer Hall!

Race registration is required in advance and is $10 per dog. Spots are limited, so reserve your spot early!

Schedule:
2:45 pm — Best Dressed Dachshund Costume Contest (no registration required — just bring your pup in their best Oktoberfest look!)
3:00 pm — Dachshund Race Preliminaries
4:30 pm — Dachshund Race Finals

Handler Requirements:
Each dog needs one handler to release and one handler to receive. Receivers may use toys, treats, or verbal encouragement to call their dog. Throwing objects is not allowed. If you’re bringing multiple dogs, please bring enough people to safely manage them while you’re participating in the races.

Not racing? Grab a stein and cheer from the sidelines as the dogs take over Oktoberfest Weekend!

Join us on the lawn for a local shopping experience on Sunday, September 13th, during our Annual Oktoberfest Weekend. Explore a diverse selection of handcrafted items from local artisans and craftspeople, perfect for finding a distinctive personal treasure or a thoughtful gift. Enjoy free live music while you shop 12- 2 p.m. from Erin Connolly. 

CONFIRMED VENDORS:
Redbud & Oak
Lindsey the Ladysmith
Expressions Body Art & Design
Ware House Pottery

Heartland Charms

Holbrook Handcrafts

VENDOR SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE
If you'd like to apply to be a vendor at our markets, please submit an application form HERE.

FEATURING: ZOOFUNKYOU

Zoofunkyou is a genre-bending blues-funk phenomenon that has brought their quick-witted sonic expressionism and meaningful melodic lyrics to audiences all around the country. Based in Chicago, Zoofunkyou’s gumbo of finely crafted musical elements is a recipe they’ve been perfecting since 2013, with different ingredients and instrumentalists interspersed along the way. Zoofunkyou (or “Zoofü”) is dedicated to spreading love through music and creating inclusive events where people from all walks of life can feel safe and bring the emotional gratitude the band exudes from the stage home with them. In the current iteration, founder Derek Dare, Matthew Coglianese, and Jake Hennessy lead an epic ensemble consisting of a total of 5-9 members depending on the performance. As of late, they are typically joined by James Kries or Brenden Cabrera on Keys, and Nathan Reider on Alto Saxophone; and when they go for the “full band sound,” they are joined by Connor Bernhard on Trumpet, Matt Kowalski on trombone, and Alex Santilli on Percussion. With a wide repertoire of both gripping original music and tasteful covers, their live shows have proven time and time again to enthrall, grow and inspire a vibrant fan base affectionately known as the Zoofü Crew. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ZomJMYxu_OU 

Website: http://www.zoofunkyou.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoofunkyou 

Our free, live shows take place on the front lawn of DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged at all shows. No outside food, drinks, or coolers are permitted. Any weather-related cancellations will be posted here and on our social media channels. Black Dirt Management presents live music at DESTIHL.

FEATURING: CHECK BACK SOON!

Our free, live shows take place on the front lawn of DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged at all shows. No outside food, drinks, or coolers are permitted. Any weather-related cancellations will be posted here and on our social media channels. Black Dirt Management presents live music at DESTIHL.

Suit up for Superhero Trivia Night! From the worlds of Marvel and DC to legendary heroes, villains, movies, comics, and TV shows, this night will test your knowledge of the greatest superheroes ever created. Whether you're a fan of the Avengers, the Justice League, or the multiverse beyond, gather your team and prove you have the super-powered knowledge to save the day.

Advance reservations are required. Use the email link below to email Twin City Trivia.

Tickets are $ 5 per person, up to 6 people per table.

FEATURING: MERRY TRAVELERS

Merry Travelers are a sonic vessel for storytelling, connection, and good vibrations. The ensemble weaves a lush tapestry of soul, pop, jazz, and psychedelic folk into a sound that is velvety and vibrant. Their music bridges the gap between vintage nostalgia and something built specifically for our time. The heart of the group is fueled by the poetic songwriting of Holly Monet and the groove-heavy intuition of multi-instrumentalist Charlie Harris. Together, they lead a group of top-notch musicians who balance sophisticated composition with fluid improvisation. They have spent years honing a live experience that provokes shared wonder, joy, self-empowerment, and perhaps even an urge to dance.

Instagram and Facebook: @merrytravelersband

Website: www.merrytravelers.com 

Our free, live shows take place on the front lawn of DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged at all shows. No outside food, drinks, or coolers are permitted. Any weather-related cancellations will be posted here and on our social media channels. Black Dirt Management presents live music at DESTIHL.

FEATURING: ETTORE BUZZINI TRIO

When you think about bluegrass music, you don’t think about grand emotional and spiritual journeys that pierce your soul; yet that is exactly what Swiss-American songwriting and banjo prodigy Ettore Buzzini is creating with his innovative, classical-infused but deeply traditional bluegrass music. Imagine Earl Scruggs had been influenced by Led Zeppelin and Chopin and you’ll get an idea of Ettore’s sound. Winner of the 2024 Freshgrass Competition!

Website: https://ettorebuzzini.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddieraythebuzz/

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnDs4qMZkUM&t=5s

Our free, live shows take place on the front lawn of DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged at all shows. No outside food, drinks, or coolers are permitted. We will post any weather-related cancellations here and on our social media channels. Black Dirt Management presents live music at DESTIHL.

An hour of candlelight yoga in the Barrel Room. Join instructor Nancy Nork for an energizing flow followed by restorative poses, surrounded by soothing candlelight and good company. 

After class, stick around for a complimentary beverage. Every participant also takes home a hand-poured candle from Cedar & Scotch.

Tickets are just $15. Bring your mat.

Shop local Sunday, October 4th, from 10 am-2 pm at our outdoor market featuring goods from artisans, craftspeople, and local businesses! Vendors will be set up on the lawn with a diverse selection of items, so you can find something unique for yourself or as a gift! Enjoy live music while you shop, 12-2 pm, featuring Thee Unsubs.

CONFIRMED VENDORS
Curved Leaf
Heartland Charms
Lindsey the Ladysmith
One Knotty Maker
Dainty Duo Creations
Fairy Tree Studios
Al's 3D Pals
Ken + Co
Heirloom Candle Company
Sparrow and The Finch

VENDOR SPOTS AVAILABLE
If you'd like to apply to be a vendor at our markets, please submit an application form here.

FEATURING: TheeUnsubs

Thee Unsubs’ original tunes bridge multiple genres to create a unique but familiar musical experience. From barn-burnin’ power pop to gentle ballads to foot-stomping R&B, Thee Unsubs musicianship and experience shine through in each song!

David Davenport (keys/vocals/songwriter) - Heard on over 250 radio stations, David’s music ranges from rock, Americana and blues to piano driven melodies wrapped around his warm, soulful voice. An original member of San Diego punk legends, Claude Coma & the IVs, David is in the Legends of Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an original member of The Burdons.

Joe Kennedy - When we asked Joe for a little bio he replied: “How’s this? “Hi, I’m Joe Kennedy. You might remember me from such local bands as The Full-Size Jimmy or Brother Jed. Or Chicken Shack, where I first met these two lugs about a dozen years ago. We’d kicked around the idea of getting our own thing going for a few years, and last year we did just that.”

Michael Carlson (drums) - Michael has been playing in various groups in Central Illinois for decades. You may have had occasion to see him with Lexicon, Disorganizer, Chicken Shack, Nønl!near Fi3ld, or supporting artists like Denise LaGrassa and Joe Zaklan. Michael reports he is very excited to get Thee Unsub’s original tunes out there for audiences to hear!

Our free, live shows take place on the front lawn of DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged at all shows. No outside food, drinks, or coolers are permitted. We will post any weather-related cancellations here and on our social media channels. Black Dirt Management presents live music at DESTIHL.

The cauldron is bubbling, the candles are lit; it's time to gather your coven. Bring your most enchanting companions and join us on the Beer Hall lawn, October 15th from 5-8 PM for a magical evening of witchy vendors, hands-on crafts, and drinks brewed with a little extra mystery.

Browse our carefully curated vendors, perfect for stocking up on spellbinding goods just in time for the season. And of course, no witches' night is complete without specialty drinks conjured by our bartenders for the occasion.

Whether you come as a coven or fly in solo, all witches and warlocks are welcome.

Come dressed as your most wicked witch, dust off your hat, find your best cape, and arrive ready to bewitch. This is your night to embrace the craft in full costume and strut your stuff on our catwalk at 7:00 pm. Brooms optional.

Prepare for a night of chills and thrills at Horror Movie Trivia Night! From classic slashers and supernatural scares to modern horror hits, we’ll test your knowledge of the most terrifying movies ever made. Whether you're a fan of masked killers, haunted houses, or psychological thrillers, gather your team and see if you can survive this fright-filled trivia challenge.

Advance reservations are required. Use the email link below to email Twin City Trivia.

Tickets are $ 5 per person, up to 6 people per table.

HOWL-O-WEEN is back for year three! Bring your pup, bring the costume, and let the tail wags begin.

Event Highlights:

Doggie Photo Opportunity: You know you're taking forty pictures. We're just giving you a good spot to do it.

Dog Costume Contest: 2:00 pm 

Categories:
• Best Dressed
• People's Choice
• Best DIY
• Best Duo (matching with owner or another dog)

The Deadhead Shed: PUP Cups for the dogs. Beer and cider for the humans.

Craft Station: Bandana Decorating - Stamp your dog's paw on a bandana and add your own design flair for a wearable masterpiece.

Local Vendors: From 10 am-3 pm

Coming Soon!

HOPS & HORRORS Presented by DESTIHL Beer Hall + Barrel Room and Bobzbay Books

This one is for the readers who like a little horror, where dark reads meet cold beers.

Join us in the Barrel Room for a morning of award-winning authors, independent vendors, and DESTIHL hops with a horror twist. Browse goods from some of the region's most interesting small businesses, catch live signings from featured authors, and swap a book at the Community Book Swap table.

Authors presented by Bobzbay Books:
Kyle Winkler
Rhonda Jackson (RJ) Joseph
Christopher Hawkins
Tatiana Schlote-Bonne
Lee Mandelo
Phrique
Mathilda Zeller
Heather Ann Larson

Vendors:
Kelly's Kreepies
The Misty Badger Candle Company
Deathmaster ArtWorks

Community Book Swap

Bring a book that haunts you, leave with one that will. Our horror-themed swap table lets guests trade their favorite spine-chillers, cult classics, or creepy reads for something new to keep them up at night.

Additional vendors and activities to be announced.