Vista, prepare your stein arm.

Pure Project is kicking off its Oktoberfest & Stein Release on Friday, September 18, and the Vista Brewery & Taproom is in the mix.

That means limited-edition steins, discounted fills, German-style beer and, for one day only in Vista, a brat that appears to have taken the long scenic route through Greece and California before landing at Oktoberfest.

Which is extremely North County, honestly.

The celebration runs September 18 through October 4 at Pure Project taprooms, including the Vista location at 1305 Hot Spring Way.

Pure’s Vista, North Park, Miramar and Balboa Park taprooms open at 1 p.m. Friday for the kickoff. Carlsbad opens earlier at 11 a.m.

The Stein Is the Main Character

Starting September 18, Pure Project is selling its 2026 limited-edition, 0.5-liter German-made steins while supplies last.

The opening-day deal is straightforward: $25 gets a limited-edition stein plus a fill of any non-barrel-aged beer under 6% ABV.

After that, the stein keeps working.

Through October 4, Pure says guests can bring a Pure Project stein — past or present — for discounted fills of non-barrel-aged beers under 6% ABV.

The refill pricing listed on the event page is $6 for a 0.5-liter Pure Project stein and $12 for a 1-liter Pure Project stein.

In other words, this is one of those rare times when keeping branded glassware in your cabinet may qualify as planning ahead.

Your clutter has entered its redemption arc.

German Beer, Pure Project Style

The brewery is also using Oktoberfest to spotlight German-style beer.

Pure lists Harmony, a 4.1% Helles lager made with all-German ingredients, as available now.

Nomad, a 5.7% hefeweizen, is listed as available starting September 18.

Both are noted as available while supplies last, which is brewery language for “do not stroll in three weeks later and act shocked.”

This is Oktoberfest, not a storage unit.

Vista Gets the Spartan Brat

The Vista kickoff gets its own food-truck moment.

On Friday, September 18, Spinning Meats is scheduled at Pure Vista with a one-day Oktoberfest special called the Spartan Brat.

Pure describes it as traditional Greek pork sausage topped with lemon-feta aioli, pickled red onions and Fresno peppers.

German-inspired.

Greek-influenced.

California-born.

That sausage has a more interesting résumé than most of us.

Other Pure taprooms are getting a bratwurst empanada from Empanada Kitchen during Oktoberfest, but the Vista-specific food note is the Spinning Meats special on kickoff day.

About That Steinholding Contest

Pure’s event page also lists a steinholding competition at all five taprooms on Saturday, September 19.

The prize is a $25 Pure Project taproom gift card for whoever can hold two 0.5-liter steins the longest at each taproom.

One detail needs a quick caution flag: the same official page shows conflicting timing, with one heading saying 3 p.m. and the description saying the competition starts at 4 p.m.

So if your training plan involves forearm stretches and emotional preparation, check with the Vista taproom before showing up.

Nothing ruins competitive steinholding like arriving with perfectly warmed-up wrists at the wrong hour.

Questions You May Have

When does Pure Project’s Oktoberfest start?

It starts Friday, September 18, 2026, and runs through Sunday, October 4, according to Pure Project’s event page.

Where is the Vista taproom?

Pure Project Vista Brewery & Taproom is at 1305 Hot Spring Way in Vista.

What is the stein deal?

The opening-day deal is $25 for a limited-edition 0.5-liter German-made stein plus a fill of any non-barrel-aged beer under 6% ABV, while supplies last.

Is there food at the Vista kickoff?

Yes. Spinning Meats is scheduled September 18 with the Spartan Brat, a Greek-influenced Oktoberfest special.

Is the steinholding time confirmed?

Not cleanly. Pure’s event page lists Saturday, September 19, but shows conflicting times of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., so check with the taproom before going.