A seasonal celebration of craft beer and oyster shucking in Shirlington has been canceled for the second year in a row.
For logistical reasons related to a change in ownership last December, Copperwood Tavern’s Shucktoberfest won’t be returning in October, General Manager Jody Hessler told ARLnow.
“It takes a while to transfer all of the legal business information over and actually get all that done and squared away with the transfer of ownership,” he said. “There just wasn’t enough time to plan for an event that size.”
Fans of the festival last held in 2022 should take heart, however. Hessler confirmed that next year, the oyster and beer fest — which used to feature dozens of local breweries and food vendors around the tavern at 4021 Campbell Avenue — will return.
“It’ll be back, it’ll be strong, it’ll be full, it’ll be fun. We’ll be back to normal, ready to rock and roll,” Hessler said.
Shirlington’s Oktoberfest tradition originated at former neighborhood watering hole Capitol City Brewing in 1999. Following the brewpub’s closure in 2018, Copperwood Tavern stepped up to host similar festivities — with an oyster twist.
Another Oktoberfest celebration is still scheduled to happen in Crystal City this coming Saturday, Sept. 28.
In Shirlington, Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub also hosted its annual Celtic Festival last weekend, marking the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day with beer, food and live music.
