Back to the BeerLOG

Yeah I know everyone who used to actually read this blog thought it was probably dead by now, but you're wrong. I will admit I have neglected it as of late but the important thing is that that's behind us now and let's focus on the future. Or I guess focus on the recent past and near future.

I'm sure you are all aware that September and October are probably the two most beer-centric months of the year. Oktoberfest is one reason and the other is just because fall is coming and there is no better way to celebrate it by warming up with a Pumpkin spice late beer or Octoberfest.

If you still don't believe me then look online, in the paper or where ever you find out about events in your town or city. I guarantee there has been or is a beer festival this month. I have been lucky enough to attend one the past two weekends.

The first was Harpoon Brewery's 23rd Annual Octoberfest. It was a lot of fun I managed to score some free passes, which I promptly gave to friends so I could drag them along. Once inside I stocked up on beer tickets and got a Harpoon Octoberfest for my first beer (duh). While I am all for being in the spirit and celebrating I have to say my favorite beer I had at the festival was the Harpoon Dark (formerly known as Munich Dark) a dunkel which is just a fancy German word for dark. But despite its appearance as a heavy porter or stout it is actually a lager and is quite light and refreshing while still having some roasted malt and bready characteristics of a darker beer. Here are some photos from the  festival!

The second festival was smaller in scale but still pretty fun and full of great beer, food and of course oompah bands. This was the Davis Square Octoberfest. When my friends and I rolled up on Davis Square this past Sunday we were in the midst of a bizarre hipster parade, but it was awesome! Once the parade passed we sought out the small side street where Red Bones BBQ resides and found the party. The side street was closed off and there was delicious food from Red Bones and beer lining it as well as an oompah band down at the end of the street near the tap trailer (see below). I went for the Pretty Things Babayaga because I was in the mood for a stout and it had just been released the week prior so it was fresh. A delicious full bodied export stout that has a subtle smoked flavor to it (because they smoke the grains over rosemary branches before brewing). If you are a stout/porter drinker, SEEK THIS BEER OUT it is worth the try.

Finally, I wanted to just give everyone in the Boston area a heads up of the next beer festival I am probably attending on October 27th. It is the 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival at Cambridge Brewing Company. Hope to see you there.