October is always a great time for seasonal Craft Beers. The cooler weather brings about a host of spices and flavors that are not available in many year around brews. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Lakewood Punkel

This is a German style Lager that is designed to "compliment a slice of pie, rather than drinking a slice of pie." It's enhanced with some great fall like spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and it's lower alcohol content means you don't have to limit dessert to just 3 beers. Available in draft and bottles.  ABV: 5.5%

Community Brewing Ascension Coffee Porter

This is a Baltic Porter (dark lager style) that is infused with cold brewed coffee. If you like craft beer and coffee, you will LOVE this offering. Skip dinner, as this beer is a meal in a cup. ABV: 6.9%

Peticolas Wintervention 

This is a high alcohol content dark ale spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger. This was is the choice for those cool winter evenings around the fire. ABV: 10%

Real Ale Brewing Oktoberfest

One of my favorite Oktoberfest beers comes from one of my favorite Texas Breweries, Real Ale in Blanco, Texas. This lager style beer is well balanced and highly drinkable. ABV: 5.7%

Deep Ellum Oak Cliff Coffee Ale

Another coffee beer makes my list. This one from Deep Ellum Brewery. They paired Oak Cliff Coffee with a brown ale, and the result is a super smooth beer with a robust flavor profile. ABV: 7.5%

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

This is an Ale that uses biscuit and caramel malts and Willamette hops. They then add roasted pecans to give the beer a subtle nutty flavor. ABV: 5.1%

Most of these beers are available at Central Market, Whole Foods, or your local bar serving high quality craft beer. 

Enjoy!

Last week I headed over to the Deep Ellum Brewing Company for the Thursday night beer tour. I’ve been a fan of their beers since the company first started selling beer at some of the local establishments in Deep Ellum, but this was my first trip to the brewery.

The event starts at 6:00pm and ends around 8:30pm. (They also host a Saturday tour from 12pm – 3pm) For the low, low price of 10 bucks, each person gets a Deep Ellum pint glass, 3 beers, and live music.  Bartenders were serving up the IPA, Rye Pils (my favorite), Dallas Blonde, and the Double Brown Stout. People can congregate in the Brewery area, or take a seat at one of the many tables in the beer garden near the music stage.  If you get hungry, rotating food trucks park on-site and serve up a variety of foods.

I’ve attended quite a few tours and events at craft breweries all over the state, and this is definitely one to check out. Great vibe, great beer, and great people!

Be on the look out for their new beer – Oak Cliff Coffee Ale.

More info and to get a schedule of events, check out their site.

http://www.deepellumbrewing.com/

  RTR BEER CLASS - UNLEADED

Official Description - Kellerweis is one of the only American Hefeweizens made using the traditional Bavarian style of open fermentation. This difficult and labor-intensive technique adds uncommon depth and flavor complexity. Our hazy-golden hefeweizen is deeply flavorful, refreshing and perfect for a sunny day. To serve, pour two-thirds into a glass, swirl and pour the rest. (Sierra Nevada Brewing Company)

RTR Notes - There really is nothing like great summer BBQ paired up with a fine malted beverage. Hefenweizens were actually created for this exact reason. The first draw of a Kellerweis is an initial malt sweetness which transitions into mellow, fresh banana flavors. Nothing overpowering or too sweet, it’s just right. As the guests are arriving, roll this one out to complement the first course of Pedal to the Metal wings.