Oktoberfest Band for Breweries and Taprooms
You run a brewery or a taproom. You want an Oktoberfest that brings people in and gives them a reason to stay for another round. Appalachian Freunde Polka Band is a German polka trio from Asheville, NC, and breweries and taprooms fill a big part of our calendar each fall.
Which breweries book us again?
A repeat booking tells you how the last show went. These venues have booked us more than once:
- Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce, SC: October 2024, October 2025 and September 2026
- Southern Appalachian Brewery, Hendersonville, NC: November 2024, September 2025 and September 2026
- FireForge Crafted Beer, Greenville, SC: September 2025 and September 2026
- Uwharrie Brewing, Albemarle, NC: October 2025 and October 2026
- Gilde Brewery, Charlotte, NC: Founder's Day in 2024 and 2026, and a three-day Oktoberfest in September 2025
- Bull McCabe's Irish Pub, Durham, NC: a Saturday each September from 2024 to 2026, with an afternoon set and an evening set
We have also played The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (Ballantyne) in Charlotte, Hi-Wire Brewery in Durham, Lost Worlds Brewing in Cornelius, Diatribe Brewing Company in Asheville, Newgrass Brewing in Shelby, Schulz Bräu Brewing Company in Knoxville, and Mustang Taproom at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
What keeps people in the taproom?
People stay when they get to join in. Our show has the Chicken Dance, a stein hoist, cowbells, sign cards, a conga line and sing-alongs like Country Roads, Sweet Caroline and Fliegerlied. Ein Prosit, the German toast song, comes around in every set.
Günther von Cluckenstein, our 8-foot inflatable chicken, joins some shows. Read about him on our Chicken Dance page.
Will a trio fit our space?
Yes. Three players need less room than a large brass band. We fit a taproom corner, a beer garden tent or a small stage. We bring our own sound system, and Mike runs it. We add lighting when the event needs it. We need two outlets on one 20-amp circuit. We arrive about 2 hours before the start to load in, and load-out takes about 45 minutes.
Can the band play a multi-day Oktoberfest?
Yes. Gilde Brewery booked us for three days in September 2025, from Friday to Sunday. Oktoberfest Columbia in South Carolina has booked us three years in a row. In 2026 we played it from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 11.
How do you book the band?
We play Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and our peak season runs August to October. Check open weekends on our calendar, then send us your date and city. Our guide to booking an Oktoberfest band walks through the steps, and our booking FAQ answers the common questions.
Questions taproom managers ask
How much space does the band need?
A taproom corner, a tent or a small stage. Three players need less room than a large brass band.
Does the band bring its own sound?
Yes. We bring our own sound system, and Mike runs it. We add lighting when the event needs it.
What power does the band need?
Two outlets on one 20-amp circuit. We arrive about 2 hours before the start to load in. Load-out takes about 45 minutes.
How long does the band play?
Bookings run 3 hours or more. Each hour has at least 45 minutes of music and a 15-minute break.
Can the band play outdoors?
Yes. For an outdoor show, plan a covered or indoor backup spot in case of rain.
More about the band
Ready to book?
Tell us your date, your city and your event. Adam Bennett, our manager, handles bookings.