South Street beer hall Brauhaus Schmitz is back for a fifth year with a week of festivities in celebration of that storied German fall beer fest, Oktoberfest, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The main event is an all-day block party on Saturday, September 21, which features tented areas outside, a pig roast where chef Jeremy Nolen will serve over a ton of pork, live oompah music and plenty, we mean plenty, of great beer. The Oktoberfest Street Festival runs from noon–8 PM, and food and drink are pay as you go.

You don’t have to wait until September 21 to get your Bavarian partying on, though. Each night from Monday–Friday, September 16–20, you’ll have a chance to qualify to compete for free beer for a whole year in the Liter Lift qualifiers. Each evening at 8 PM, 15 pre-registered drinkers will vie to hold a full liter mug at arm’s length for the longest amount of time. Top two finishers each night will get a prize pack and will advance to the finals on Saturday at 2 PM. Register here.

Monday, September 16, is also a special DiBruno’s Beer and CheesePairing Night, with Oktoberfest beer flights and matched cheese plates available. Tuesday brings “Big in Munich” industry night, and at 8 PM you’ll have a chance to catch chef Jeremy Nolen’s band rocking out Oktoberfest style.

Warsteiner Wednesday begins at 7 PM on September 18, with giveaways and specials from Warsteiner and Konig Ludwig. Thursday is “hers” day, thanks to Hofbrau, who will offer beer specials and giveaways to those of the female persuasion. Plus, there’s a special women’s edition of the Liter Lift competition.

Friday, September 20, brings a kick the keg lottery — gotta make room for all the beer for the big Saturday festival — along with specials from Traunstein. If your beer kicks the keg, it’s free, plus you get a special “Oktoberfest Survival Kit.”

After the big bash on Saturday, there’s a secondary Oktoberfest party on Sunday, September 22, over at the Wursthaus Schmitz stand at Reading Terminal Market. From noon – 6 PM, head over for more live music, brats and German brew.

There’s even a special Hung Over Happy Hour at Brauhaus on Monday, September 23. Starting at 3 PM, you can use up leftover tickets from the Sunday block party and help finish up those special Oktoberfest brews. Prosit!

Event Date: 09/21
Event Time: noon-8 PM
Location: Brauhaus Schmitz
Price: Free, VIP sold out
Type: Beer,Food
Website: brauhausschmitz.com/2012/02/24/oktoberfest-2013/