Know of a great local fall beer or another Oktoberfest celebration? Post in the comments section below!
October is that sad time of year when we stop throwin' shrimp on the barbie and start throwing on the wool sweaters instead. Oktoberfest is the world’s uppity rebellion to this change of seasons.
Oktoberfest began in Munich in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration and gradually became the world’s biggest beer festival, hosting over 6 million people every year. Since not everyone can set aside the time to go get schlitzed in Germany every year however, the event has spawned countless numbers of satellite festivals in the states, Canada, and globally.
Though the hard-and-fast rule is that these festivals celebrate dark German beers, it’s safe to say that Oktoberfests generally have a “last hoorah” feel to them as well and often incorporate elements of local harvests… and of course, Bratwursts.
In Boston, all of these hold true—but the “last hoorah” atmosphere might end up feeling a little like Bill Murray's Groundhog Day when you’re all said and done, since the city boasts several different Oktoberfest celebrations annually.
The events kick of the weekend of October 2 and go through November:
Harpoon 20th Annual Oktoberfest Friday Oct 2 – Saturday Oct 3
Harvard Square Oktoberfest Sunday Oct 11
Social Boston Sports Oktoberfest Wednesday Oct 14
Beer Summit Harvest Fest Saturday Nov 7
If you can’t make it out to one of these fine festivals to indulge in some traditional German beers, take some time to try out any of these locally brewed Fall Masterpieces:
Wachusett Octoberfest Westminster, MA (Voted Top 10 in North America, Draft Magazine)
Sam Adams Octoberfest Boston, MA
Saranac Octoberfest Utica, NY
Shipyard Pumpkinhead Portland, ME
Cambridge Brewing Co’s Great Pumpkin Ale Cambridge, MA
Boston Beer Works – October Varieties Boston, MA
Sam Adams Octoberfest Boston, MA
Saranac Octoberfest Utica, NY
Shipyard Pumpkinhead Portland, ME
Cambridge Brewing Co’s Great Pumpkin Ale Cambridge, MA
Boston Beer Works – October Varieties Boston, MA
Know of another Oktoberfest celebration or great local fall beer? Post in the comments section below!
For more information on Munich, Germany Oktoberfest, click here.
Comments
What's your favorite local Fall beer? Answer in the comments below. Mine might be Saranac's Pumpkinhead, or Wachusett Brewery's Octoberfest... can't decide though.
Well Kim, my favorite autumnal ales would be Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, and Harpoon Octoberfest. Smuttynose has a bit more spice and pumpkin bread-ish flavor, but not sweet. Harpoon is more of a brown caramel ale, but again not sweet. Love your writing by the way, keep up the good work!
My new favorite is definitely the Allagash fluxus....brewed with sweet potato! Also...just found out that $1 from each bottle sold goes to the Allagash Pediatric Nurses Scholarship at the Maine Med Center....just drinking my part to help :) check it out....
It's hard to choose, as the Boston area is known for good beer choices. Just so it isn't weak and insipid and has some color and flavor to it. I haven't got a favorite yet, so I'll keep your list of suggestions in mind.
There is nothing like a bud light on a crisp autumn day. I know-- lame, but oh so true
The closest I will ever come to having a favorite "fall beer" is admitting that I like to lick the spiced sugar off the rim of any pumpkin-flavored brew. But drinking the stuff? No thanks. I'll take a CiderJack please.
I'm partial to Shipyard Pumpkinhead with a little bit of cinnamon on the rim of the glass...
Shipyard Pumpkin. Mmmm, pumpkin.
i like natural light. when i finish the can, i like to carve out two eyes, a triangular nose, and a mouth. Finally, i cut off the top, place a small tea light inside, and voila....i have a jack-0-lantern. Plus, it is much cheaper then buying a pumpkin and you don't have to deal with the messy pumpkin innards. Then again, I do enjoy baked pumpkin seeds. But i think i like the beer flavor even more. There are certainly pluses and minuses to each. In conclusion, fall is the best season.
The end.
Klugie
I love a Leffe Blond (although there's nothing autumal about it). Or a good oatmeal stout (preferably with chocolate or espresso flavor). That will warm your tummy on a cold fall day.
just like i dont switch my closet for the seasons, i dont switch my beer - yuengling, 365...
you can take the girl out of philly....
All the pumpkin/Oktoberfest beers you listed are great. I would like to add Berkshire Brewing Company Coffeehouse Porter, Harpoon Winter Warmer, Gardner Ale House Naked Stout, Long Trail Harvest Ale, Long Trail Imperial Porter and Honest Town IPA to the list of delicious beers for these crisp fall months
Im a fan of the Warsteiner Dunkel. Its a good import that matches well with octoberfest. Nice, dark, and Germanyish. Dont see it that much in Boston but look for it.
Wachusett Brewery's Octoberfest is tha best.
Sorry folks, the best Oktoberfests come from where they originated. I'll take a Paulaner, Spaten or Hofbrau before any domestic festbier any day. :)
Best pumpkin ale? Big fan of Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin. Otter Creek makes a dynamite brew as well.
A Loose Cannon IPA from Clipper City Heavy Seas is by far the best beer for any season!!
Bud Light is perfect for any season.
Shipyard Pumpkinhead and Cambridge Brewing Co. Pumpkin are the best Fall beers, period.
Anyone ever try Weihenstephaner Oktoberfest? Awesome!
Long Trail Harvest.. but also anything pumpkin... yum I want one.
My favorite beer is Bud Light. I don't like fall beer. I like summer beer. Fall is cold. Its raining, and I had some Bud Lights last night, so I'm feeling a bit under the weather.
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