Beer & Craft Brew Guide
Half-liter German pours in the Alpine village, a long tap list on Edelweiss Strasse and Oktoberfest through November 1
The short answer
Helen's beer runs on two tracks. Downtown, the pours are German: wheat beers, dunkels and festival lagers served by the half liter, the way the Alpine look promises. A few minutes away, the taps lean regional and craft. Here's where to find each, and what to expect at the Festhalle this month.
Where to drink beer in Helen
| Place | Where | Hours | What's pouring |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Heidelberg | 8660 N Main St, Helen | Dining room Sun-Thu 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM | German draft (Hofbrau Original, Hefe Weizen, Dunkel, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Weltenburger Kloster Asam Bock) at $8-$9 per 0.5 L; German, European and domestic bottles |
| Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & G.I. Germany Pub | 9001 N Main St, Helen | Call 706-878-2248 | A Helen landmark with a pub, recently renovated; ask what's on tap |
| Bigg Daddy's Restaurant & Tavern | 807 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen | Every day, 11 AM-midnight; kitchen until 10 PM | Over 100 bottled beers and 17 draft lines with a local craft focus; live music Friday and Saturday nights |
| Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria | 7275 S Main St, Helen | Sun-Thu noon-9 PM, Fri-Sat noon-10 PM | Rotating, regionally brewed craft beer alongside pizza |
| King Ludwig Biergarten | Downtown Helen (see our King Ludwig's guide) | Call before you go | German beer with hot pretzels and beer cheese dip |
Tap lists and hours change. Call ahead if one beer is the reason for the trip.
German beer: start at The Heidelberg
If you want the full German experience, The Heidelberg is the easiest place to build it. Its drink menu lists Hofbrau Original, Hefe Weizen and Dunkel on draft, plus Paulaner Oktoberfest and Weltenburger Kloster Asam Bock, all by the half liter. The restaurant is a three-floor German restaurant, pub and music hall, and the upstairs Bierhimmel Konzerthalle hosts live music.
For pretzels and beer cheese in a biergarten setting, the Helen visitors bureau points to King Ludwig Biergarten. The Hofbrauhaus on North Main calls itself one of Helen's landmark restaurants, and its G.I. Germany Pub has been refreshed after a recent renovation.
Local and craft beer
Helen's visitors bureau lists wineries and a distillery in its drink section but no downtown brewery, so craft drinkers work from taps. Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria rotates seasonal, regionally brewed beers alongside its pizza, and Bigg Daddy's keeps 17 beers on draft with a local craft focus. For the wider picture, read our craft beer scene guide.
If you'll be here October 24, plan a day around the Appalachian Brew and Music Festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, about 35 minutes from Helen. You get unlimited tastings from 70-plus breweries in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama, a souvenir glass, live Appalachian and Americana music, and shuttles to local campgrounds and hotels. Tickets are $55 in advance through October 23 and $60 at the gate; hours are 11 AM to 5 PM.
Oktoberfest at the Festhalle
The 56th annual Helen Oktoberfest runs nightly through Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. The Chamber calls it the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States. On Saturday, October 10, the third annual Stein Holding Competition runs from 6 to 8 PM, and there's a Halloween costume party on Saturday, October 31. Everyone entering is carded, and the hall is smoke-free. The Chamber's Oktoberfest page has the current food and drink details.
| Day | Hours | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Mon to Thu | 6-10 PM | $10 adults, $5 ages 6-12 |
| Friday | 6-11 PM | $15 adults, $7 ages 6-12 |
| Saturday | 1-11 PM | $15 adults, $7 ages 6-12 |
| Sunday | 1-7 PM | Free |
Under 6 free. Friday-and-Saturday pass: $25 adults, $12 ages 6-12. Prices are subject to change.
Drink smart in a walking town
Park once
Downtown is walkable, and the parking guide shows the free and pay lots.
Pick a driver for the valley
The Helen visitors bureau lists local transportation options if you're heading out of town.
Beer questions
Where can I drink German beer in Helen?
The Heidelberg lists German drafts by the half liter for $8 to $9, including Hofbrau Original, Hefe Weizen, Dunkel, Paulaner Oktoberfest and Weltenburger Kloster Asam Bock. The Hofbrauhaus and King Ludwig Biergarten are also on the Helen visitors bureau's list of German restaurants.
Is there a brewery in downtown Helen?
The Helen visitors bureau's list of wine, vineyard and brewery stops doesn't include a downtown brewery. For local craft beer, try Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria, which rotates regional brews, or Bigg Daddy's, which pours a long list of local craft options.
How much does it cost to get into Oktoberfest in Helen?
At the Festhalle, Monday to Thursday admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6 to 12. Friday and Saturday are $15 and $7, a Friday-and-Saturday pass is $25 and $12, and Sunday is free. Children under 6 are free, and every adult is carded at the door. Prices are subject to change.
When is Oktoberfest in Helen in 2026?
It runs Thursday to Sunday through September, then nightly from October 1 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. It's the 56th annual, and the Helen Chamber of Commerce bills it as the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States.
Is there a craft beer festival near Helen?
Yes: the Appalachian Brew and Music Festival is Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. It offers unlimited tastings from 70-plus breweries; tickets are $55 in advance through October 23 and $60 at the gate.
More to explore
Related Imagery from Around Helen
