Nothing marks the turn of the season like a good Oktoberfest beer. There’s just something about a rich, full-bodied Oktoberfest as the world begins to cool off and rest for the year that hits just right. It’s funny how something ice cold can warm the soul so much. It’s my favorite beer – give me something that has a tinge of “dead leaves” flavor to it, and I’m a happy, reflective man. Robert Louis Stevenson once penned that wine is “bottled poetry,” but to me, it’s a good Oktoberfest, complex and hearty, the feels like poetry in a bottle or glass.
Every year, I try to find some new ones to try. You can go with a good old fashioned Sam Adams Oktoberfest if you want to. It’s a reliable drinkin’ beer, but where’s the fun in that? Yuengling has a surprisingly sturdy Oktoberfest that’s a little easier on the wallet. But, c’mon – indulge in something more creative! Get out there and find some interesting brews. I’m east of Nashville, out here in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and there are a couple of really good beer stores that I’m lucky are right down the road from me. First and foremost, Mt. Juliet Beer Co. has the absolute deepest selection of seasonal beers in town. You can walk in that place and find stuff from breweries you’ve never even heard of. Then, there’s Providence Wine and Spirits, which has an extensive selection of stuff from local breweries as well.
When Brittany Fernandez (2020 SoBro of the Year and beer connoisseur) and I started planning this year’s fall beer tasting, the first stop I made was Mt. Juliet Beer Co.. There, I found a new Oktoberfest that I’ve yet to try that I really enjoyed. Brittany was coming back from a trip to Georgia, so she grabbed up all the beers she could from local Georgia breweries. Among them was Elsewhere’s Oktoberfest, which I enjoyed as well. So, I figured why not pass those recommendations along to the great beer-drinking readers of SoBros Network? Am I even doing my job here if I DON’T!?!?!
Almanac’s Rocktoberfest – more here – Almanac Beer Co. is a brewery out of Alameda, California, and this is the one that I found at Mt. Juliet Beer Co., so if you want to try it, head out there and see if they have any left. This is probably the deepest, richest Oktoberfest I’ve ever had. It had a nice nutty/woody/Earthy profile to it that I always enjoy in an Oktoberfest, but that shit was dialed up to 11. It was strong tasting, and out of the 13 “fall beers” we tried, it was my #3 overall and #1 among Oktoberfests.
Elsewhere Brewing Oktoberfest – more here – Elsewhere Brewing is down in Atlanta, and this is the Oktoberfest that Brittany brought to me. It’s an incredibly drink-able Oktoberfest. It’s a little on the lighter side – the can says “clean” and “crisp” and boy do they mean it. I found it to be a bit of a refreshing take on Oktoberfest, one that I could sit and pound an entire sixer of on a cool fall evening spent by a fire pit.
Also, while you’re here, be sure to go like the SoBros Network page on Facebook, follow @SoBrosNetwork on Twitter, or subscribe to our YouTube channel! We’re going to stream the annual SoBros Network Fall Beer Tasting live on Tuesday night at 8PM central. Brittany Fernandez joined me to try these two beers in addition to a myriad of pumpkin flavored beers as well. Don’t miss it!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.