Experience Hermann’s German Heritage This Fall
Experience Hermann’s German Heritage This Fall
Hermann was founded in the 1830s by German settlers who brought some of the best of Germany along with them. Break out your lederhosen and dirndls and get ready for a celebration of German festival culture in Hermann.
Where do we begin? At the beginning, of course! The first Oktoberfest was a week-long celebration in Munich in 1810 to honor the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Today, around six million visitors and some local Bavarians carry on the celebration each year in early October in Munich. While our celebration is smaller in scale, Hermann’s festivities are just as special and capture the authentic spirit and charm of this tradition.
Hermann has it all: Bavarian-style pretzels, German beers, oom-pah music, and more. With an impressive variety of beer, wine, and spirits, Hermann’s Oktoberfest rivals even the famous Bavarian celebration, and you don’t need a passport to join in on the fun. Here are some of our favorite flavors to savor during October in Hermann.
Fall in Love with German Traditions, Food, and Fun
Try the best German sausages in the Midwest at local spots like Swiss Meats & Sausage Co. and the Hermann Wurst Haus, or explore the German specialties at local restaurants and wineries.
Our Wurst is the Best!
German sausage is one of the greatest foods in the Midwest, and Hermann has some of the best:
- Visit Swiss Meats & Sausage Co. and try their champion sausage and smoked meats, including their three-time “Grand Champion” & “Best of Midwest” Weisswurst.
- The Hermann Wurst Haus’ deli-style restaurant has a variety of German specialty meats and dozens of flavors of award-winning bratwurst, including their own “Best in Show” brats!
Delicious Food Goes Beyond the Wurst
There’s more to German cuisine than sausages and bratwurst. Discover seafood spaetzle and other German delights at the Tin Mill Restaurant, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Sauerbraten at Vintage Restaurant, or unique offerings like the Reuben Quesadilla at Willie’s Phillys. Enjoy a Germantown Burger or other German specialties at Concert Hall and Barrel Bar or Pork Schnitzel, German Potato Salad, & Bavarian Apple Cake at Fernweh Distilling Co.
On October weekends, Hermannhof Winery will be offering potato pancakes and roasted peanuts, in addition to locally-made German sausages. For dessert, check out Sugar Momma’s German Chocolate Pie and other German sweets.
Pretzels
Pretzels have been around since the Middle Ages and are believed to have been created by European monks. Bavarian-style pretzels are a versatile treat that pairs perfectly with beer or an ideal accompaniment to a delicious Rhine-style wine. The contrast between the crunchy outer crust and the soft, fluffy interior is heavenly, and delicious on its own or with mustard, cheese sauce, or authentic German-style sausages.
Try some of the tastiest pretzel dishes at the following local eateries:
| Ainsley’s Place | Pretzels w/ Cheese | 1855 Cellar Bistro at Adam Puchta Winery | Bavarian Pretzel w/ Queso |
| Concert Hall & Barrel Tavern | Barrel Pretzel Sticks w/ Queso or Monterey Jack | Downtown Deli | Mini Pretzel Sticks w/ Cheddar Cheese Sauce |
| Fernweh Distilling Co. | Bavarian Pretzel Sticks w/ House Made Beer Cheese | Hermann 1837 Cellar Bar | Bavarian Pretzel Sticks |
| Hermannhof Deli | Pretzels w/ Bier Cheese | Hermann Wurst Haus | Pretzel w/ Beer Cheese |
| Showboat Community Theatre | Warm Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel | The Piano Bar | Pretzel Bites w/ Dipping Cheese |
| Tin Mill Restaurant | Pretzel Sticks w/ Beer Cheese | Tin Mill Brewery | Pretzel Sticks w/ Beer Cheese or Cinnamon Sugar |
| Vintage 1847 Restaurant | Bavarian Pretzel Charcuterie or Pretzel Sticks w/ Pepperjack Cheese | Willie’s Philly’s | Kid’s Hot Dog w/ Pretzel Bun or Pretzels with 2 dips |
Prost!
While enjoying all that delicious German food in Hermann during October, you’ll want to try out some German beer and wines while you’re here.
Located in a historic grain processing plant, Tin Mill Brewery features authentic German brewing. Take a self-guided tour of the facility to see their copper brewing kettles imported from the Hallertau region of Germany. They brew most of their beers according to the German Purity Law of 1516. Tin Mill Brewery also offers tastings, a restaurant, a gift shop, and live music.
Their beers include the Munich Helles, a clean and malty golden lager; Hoppy Vienna Lager, featuring Vienna malt and Saphir hops; and a Grapefruit Radler—a refreshing blend of grapefruit juice and lager. While Radlers don’t meet the German purity law requirements, they exceed the refreshment factor making them ideal for a warm afternoon in the Biergarten. For those seeking something more conventional, sample their First Street Wheat, a traditional Hefeweizen, or their Skyscraper, which is a German-style Pilsner.
Visit Turbulence Brewery for their German-style specialty beers, like their You Are Here German Pilsner or Der Herbst Marzen. This nano-brewery located inside Wings-a-Blazin’ features an 18-tap selection of microbrews, and some of the most entertaining names for their beers – Flight Director, Lost Luggage, and Argonaut Blonde, just to name a few. How fun are those?!
Raise a Glass to Hermann’s Wines
Hermann’s wineries offer a taste of Missouri’s unique viticultural traditions. Sample local award-winning wines made from Missouri grapes, which often resemble German Rhine wines. Sweet whites like Vignoles are similar to German Riesling, and Chambourcin compares to German Pinot Noir. Norton, a native American grape, creates a bold, full-bodied red wine, and a tasting experience you are not likely to find in Munich! Visit these establishments and toast “Zum Wohl!” (To Your Health!).
- Hermannhof Winery is America’s only two-time winner of the Brown Forman Trophy and many other medals and honors. Try their Vignoles Petit Rocolte – the first two-time winner of the “Best New World White Wine” award, or their best-selling White Lady of Starkenburg, made in the style of a German Riesling.
- G. Husmann Wine Company – George Husmann is celebrated as the Father of the Missouri Grape and one of the most important historical figures in Hermann’s history. Try their namesake wine, which is a blend of Missouri Norton and California Cabernet Franc and Nebbiolo.
- Perched high on the hill, Stone Hill Winery offers great views of Hermann – what a wonderful way to relax and enjoy their award-winning wines. Choose from their Vignoles, Nortons, Chambourcins, and more. Their 2022 Cross J Estate Norton won the Governor’s Cup, awarded to the “best wine in the state” at the 2024 Missouri Wine Competition.
- The Adam Puchta Winery, founded in 1855, is the oldest, continuously owned family farm winery in the United States. Seven generations of the Puchta family have been creating wonderfully balanced wines, like their Estate Norton and Dry Vignoles. Their Dry Vignoles won the Husmann-Jaeger award, given to the best white varietal wine at the 2024 Missouri Wine Competition.
Shopping In Hermann
Hermann’s historic downtown is filled with unique shops, wineries, and museums to explore, providing a perfect balance between local culture, sightseeing, and October festivities. View exhibitions from national and local artists at Blank Canvas Gallery & Studio, or create your own masterpiece souvenir in their studio. Antique lovers will want to visit Antiques Unlimited, with 3 locations in town with everything from jewelry to fine furniture. You can also find truly one-of-a-kind, nature-inspired home décor and original artwork at Topiaries.
Plan Your Trip to Hermann
Getting to Hermann is easy, whether you drive, take the train, or bike the Katy Trail. Once here, you can explore on foot, arrange for transportation, call Lyft You Up Rides, ride the trolleys, or rent an electric bike. You could even take a horse-drawn carriage around town during Oktoberfest! Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center for maps, restaurant menus, hours of operation, and more. There are public restrooms and free luggage lockers located right outside the Visitor Center building, making it the ideal “meeting up” spot for groups coming in from different locations.
Visit Hermann and discover why it is one of Missouri’s favorite destinations this time of year.
