Beer and the Harvest
Fall Means Special Seasonal Beers
Leaves are turning colors as the sun slowly disappears from the skies in the northern tiers. Autumn is time for the harvest: hops, squash, barley, and wheat. All can be part of classic seasonal beers.
Oktoberfest - the German celebration of the marriage of a king to his queen - brings millions together for a Fall bacchanal. The style as developed through the ages can be sticky, sweet and full-bodied. Full of copper and ruby hues with an oaky nose it is a pretty and pretty tasty beer.
Regional Chicago offerings of the Oktoberfest/Marzen include: Metropolitan and their Iron Works Octoberfest, an awesome autumn treat if there ever was one; Shoreline Brewing in Michigan City, IN proffers their version, sweet and maltful; Munsterfest from Indiana'sThree Floyds is beyond the pal;. Rock Bottom Brewery -- in downtown Chicago and at Yorktown -- presents unique potent takes on the Oktoberfest style; Bell's Octoberfest is a regional, seasonal favorite available at your area quality liquor locale.
Other seasonal sensations use the fruit of the harvest in their creations. PumKing is a sweet nutgmeggy mash from Lakewood, NewYork's Southern Tier Brewing outside Fredonia; all hail Fredonia, land of the free! Hoptoberfest from New Belgian Brewing in Fort Collins, CO celebrates autumn's hop harvest. Bell's also brews a superb Pumpkin Ale.
Warm up to your favorite of the harvest.
Published by Kent Palmer
Kent Palmer is a veteran beer-geek, having spent time on both sides of the rail in Chicago, Il and Madison, WI. He enjoys pairing beer with food and experiences. View profile
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