Beer

Mobile beer garden brings Bavaria to JP with Oktoberfest celebration

Hive Events rolls onto the lawn of the Loring Greenough House with beer, live music, and food pop-ups.

The Loring Greenough House in Jamaica Plain — shown here in a 1940 photograph by Leon H. Abdalian — hosts an Oktoberfest celebration in September. The Boston Public Library via Flickr/Creative Commons

By Jacqueline Cain

1 minute to read

The family that constructed the Loring Greenough House in Jamaica Plain was English, not German, but in the 262 years since the historic home was built, it has become a hub for the diverse community of today’s JP. Locals enjoy a year-round calendar of family-friendly events at the Loring Greenough House, including movie screenings, concerts, and cultural celebrations.

For the past few years, throughout the summer and fall, local mobile bar caterer Hive Events supplies a weekly beer garden during Thursdays on the Lawn at LGH. To conclude the 2022 season, Hive returns on Saturday, Sept. 24, for an Oktoberfest-themed bash.

The annual event (pending City of Boston licensing) will extend the usual beer garden footprint on the sprawling estate, according to Hive cofounder Lance Davis. The gardens around the Georgian Colonial will be transformed into picturesque Bavarian festival grounds, with decorative banners, string lights, and an oom-pah band. Festive attire like lederhosen is strongly encouraged for attendees of this jubilant evening celebration.

Steins are available for purchase during the event, and come filled with beer. Hive, which operates out of a vintage, silver Airstream and other antique trailers, will be pouring traditional German brews and local craft beer offerings inspired by those styles. Wine and a spritz option will also be available.

Cobble, a farm-to-table, family-style restaurant in Brookline, is bringing a special menu of German soft pretzels and skewered, grilled bratwurst. Stay tuned in September for the full food truck lineup and other details.