It is Oktoberfest

Ah October, when a young man's fancy turns to beer. Or something like that.
Anyway October is here. Leaves are turning, if you live in northeast, the weather is getting a bit nippier, football is in full swing, and Oktoberfest brews are upon us.
I plan on drinking as many different kind of Oktoberfest offerings as possible this month.
First up, the best, at least according to my beer people. That would be the Oktoberfest from Ayinger, a fine German brewery. And of course one would assume the Germans would make a fine Oktoberfest, having invented the style. I think. Hell it sounds good, so let's say they did.
This is a fine 'Toberfest: Crisp, airy, just the right amount of bitterness, it tastes like a fall day. I can sense fresh grains, toasted malt, clean, Teutonic air. I highly recommend it.

Time of the Season

Ah friends, the calendar turns to the fall months, the temperature dips a few degrees or so, and it is time for crisp fall brews. I shall review many such brews over the following wonderful month known as October, so I shan't take up too much of your time, dear reader, on a Saturday night.
But may I recommend to you a fine golden, crisp, perfectly fall brew by Penn Brewery, a might fine pilsner that can be enjoyed by all.
Sop it up lads, and appreciate the wonder.

A Long Goodbye

Hello, dear readers, greetings and much apologies for the lengthy time between missives. I was in Bavaria for the fall hop season, picking out the finest hops for my soon-to-be-announced brewing endeavor. But that is a story for a time in the not too distant future.
For now, I am back in great America, doing what I do best; drinking during the afternoon. I am sitting in Teneleven lounge on Avenue C in New York, enjoying my return to the eastern time zone. Tis a fine place for drinking, writing, and pondering, with amenable owners whom have good taste in beer and music. I am drinking a Radeberger Royal Pilsner. It's a noble beer for a fall afternoon; light, crisp, golden and goes down smooth.
I would say more but for now, dear reader, ah much planning is being discussed. We shall talk again soon...

Workers of the Nation Unite

Today is Labor Day in America, when the laborers of the country, those who labor hard and not-so-hard, take a day to relax, eat barbecue, and most importantly drink beer.
I, of course, am no different, and am relaxing with a Belgian-style Farmhouse ale, the wonderful Saison Dupont by Brasserie Dupont.
Now at first, I felt a tad guilty drinking a Belgian-made style of ale created in the French countryside. After all, I am no pinko-socialist; no, my blood does not run pure red like so many commie swine, but rather with tinges of blue and white like the True American that I am.
And this country makes many fine brews, some of which I have already reviewed and many more that will be.
But friends, in this humble man's opinion, the Belgians do brew the best beer of all the lands, and Saison's are particularly yummy.
I believe it is a good style of beer to try out for the beginner beer-lover. they are usually low alcohol, well balanced with hints of citrus and a bitter finish that will really give the more unrefined palate an idea of what well made beer should taste like.
Saison Dupont has become particularly famous in recent years, having won several "best beer" type awards from magazines, and I'm glad because it's led to a renewed interest in the Saison style. Brewed on an actual working farm, the Sasion Dupont uses fresh spring water and is stuffed to the brim with spices and fruit; you can almost taste the farm in every sip (and I mean that in a positive way)
So, if you've ever passed by a Saison Dupont, or any Saison, and thought "I don't know if that's the beer for me", do yourself a favor and give it a whirl. I think you shan't be dissapointed.

Time of Harvest

I don't know when fall technically starts, but for me it begins as soon as the calendar turns September. That's when the air starts to feel a little brisk, the tykes go back to school, and football starts anew.
It's also when many fine seasonal fall brews start being released, several of which we will be discussing over the coming weeks. Also, we will begin seeing the ubiquitous pumpkin ales out and about. Some folks have differing opinions on pumpkin ales, but I tend to enjoy them.
But there'll be time for that later. Let's start by recommending a fine fall brew from a fine brewery in a fine fall location.
Most beer folk know the Captain Lawrence Brewery in Pleastanville, a Westchester County suburb of New York City. What you may not know is that Westchester is a wonderful place for a Saturday fall afternoon travel. Stop by the bucolic river towns, walk in quaint downtowns, and stop by the Captian Lawrence Brewery for a craft brew to pair with a brisk fall day.
The Smoke from the Oak, aged in a bourbon barrel, is always one of the finest smoke porters around. For a more traditional offering, why not try the Captain's smoked Porter, which is offered all year round by tastes best in colder climes. The brewery uses imported German smoked malt among its many ingredients, and it all adds up to a full, complex, wonderful tasting beer. Bring a growler or two with you when you go.

Redemption

The great French writer Andrea Maurois once said of Kansas City, ""Who in Europe, or in America, for that matter, knows that Kansas City is one of the loveliest cities on earth?"
It is true, and I was wrong on my initial appraisal of KC. Last night, me and the missus traveled to the Westport nabe to sample some local culture and see one of my personal favorites, Lee "Scratch" Perry. During my formative years, my friends and I would oft smoke "funny cigarettes" and listen to Scratch, his hardcore dub is second to none.
Well, Westport was everything you'd want in a city neighborhoood; walkable, fun, filled with character, and populated by beer bars.
I have already mentioned the fine KC brewery Boulevard. Down in Westport, we stopped at McCoy's public house, a local beeratarium that brews its own fine brew.
Unfortunately, we didn't have too much time to sample all of their many beers, but the commendable Unfiltered Wheat is recommended. It's loaded with raw and malted wheat, and goes great on a crisp fall afternoon with some fried tilapia.
So thanks KC for a fine weekend. I will think fondly about you.
And Scratch was great.

Power & Light

I am an afficionado of cities. Large or small, coastal or inland, I love cities. I am excited at the prospect of visiting new cities and discovering their unique character. I would rather go on vacation to Des Moines or Anchorage than some Caribbean island.
Much like a wine connoisseur, I like to take a deep waft of a city, sip it and swirl it around my mouth and then spit. Usually I am able to do that, but I am having a hard time finding the soul of Kansas City.
The 18th and Vine jazz district was nice, which featured the Negro Leagues baseball museum and the wonderful Mutual Musician's Foundation, but other than that I have not found any real neighborhood vibe here. The streets are empty; walking around downtown and midtown KC Saturday and Sunday with the missus was like walking around Schenectady at 3 a.m. We were the only people walking, and there wasn't even that many cars driving by.
I suspect part of that is due to KC not really being a college town. St. Louis, which is smaller, has a much more lively vibe, I suspect in part due to the many universities in that town.
But whatever the reason, right now I am having a hard time getting hold of Kansas City. A few years ago, the city redeveloped an area near downtown and turned it into a massive shopping, dining, and entertainment district, dubbed the Power and Light District. We dined there yesterday afternoon, and there wasn't much going on. We were told the P&L district is really happening at night.
But that's not for me. I am seeking an experience with more character. Tonight, dear readers, I will be seeing dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry at an out of the way KC club. Things are looking up.
As far as beer goes, I have still yet to find a local brewery other than the last-blog mentioned Boulevard Brewery. But damn, is it good. I've mentioned the IPA, but also try the Belgian-style Wittbier. They do good work.