McGillin’s Octoberfest celebration commemorates the German beer-inspired holiday marking King Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Theresa von Sachsen-Hildurghausen in 1810. Since then, the day has become an annual celebration with horse races, performances and beer. McGillin’s has taken the tradition and grown it to a month-long Octoberfest celebration complete with German fare like mussels steamed in Octoberfest Lager served over hay and straw noodles. The festival will culminate on Oct. 4 with the Midtown Village Fall Festival. With live entertainment, outdoor performers, face painting and vendors McGillin’s will transform Drury Street into a Beer Garden; sounds like a celebration so grand it will remind McGillin’s patrons why Octoberfest wasn’t worth waiting for.

The over 5,000 beer enthusiasts who attend the festival will get to sample more than 300 craft beers from 100 local, regional, national and international breweries. Guests will also enjoy authentic Spanky’s BBQ and a live music line-up of the Bagpipe Dudes, Los Blancos, Bernie Clarke & the Rhythm Sharks and Donna Jean & the Tricksters. The NY Brewfest is co-sponsored by Heartland Brewery and the New York State Brewers Association. Get your tickets today at www.nybrewfest.com or at any of Heartland Brewery’s five New York City locations.

“The can is actually a brilliant CAN-cept all around for craft beer,” employee Nico Freccia says. “Cans are simply better for the beer—they keep it fresher by protecting it from light, they are lined so they don’t affect the flavor of the beer and they fit the craft beer drinker’s lifestyle by going places where glass just doesn’t dare—like beaches, pools, boats, parks and golf courses.” 21st Amendment will host its Can Release Party at Toronado Pub to celebrate the new packaging. For more information about getting your hands on these cans, see www.21st-Amendment.com.

McMenamins plans to preserve the property’s past through original artwork and old photographs displayed in the hotel. Since its inception in 1911, the site has existed as a series of hotels, men’s bathhouses and nightclubs; the company aims to commemorate its historic evolution from a pioneer residence to a tire shop to a live jazz club to — most recently and significantly — part of Portland’s gay triangle.

The (yet unnamed) hotel will have 50 rooms on the second, third and fourth floors; and the first floor will host a full-service restaurant celebrating fresh seasonal ingredients of the Pacific Northwest. In the basement guests can enjoy a heated saltwater soaking pool and spalike massage rooms, as well as a Subterranean Cellar Bar that will connect with McMenamins Ringlers Annex Pub next door. The company also expects that the hotel’s one-block proximity to the legendary Crystal Ballroom (another of the McMenamins’ successes that has hosted a range of live acts from Rudolph Valentino to the Grateful Dead to Modest Mouse) will draw concert-goers, wedding parties and other visitors.

Reservations will be accepted prior to the opening of the hotel; see mcmenamins.com to find out how to plan your own historic getaway to the Northwest!