Oktoberfest is upon us!

Anyone who loves beer knows that this weekend kicks off the beginning of Oktoberfest which for some, also marks the beginning of the fall season. Unfortunately not all of us get the opportunity to attend the festival in Munich where it all began, but lucky enough for us there are smaller events going on nearby. Although I'm sure not as big and spectacular as the original, these smaller festivals still offer up great beer, and if done right great food, great music and women dressed up in a beloved beer wench garment.

Towards the bottom of this post you'll find a list of events going on this weekend and next that I was able to find with a quick search on Beeradvocate.com. I myself will be heading up to New Glarus, WI this weekend to partake in their Oktoberfest events and check out the New Glarus Brewery (one of my favorites) where I'll hopefully be sampling some of their fresh Staghorn Oktoberfest beer.

If you're unable to make the journey to any of the below events, I recommend that you pick yourself up a 6-pack of an Oktoberfest style beer, light up the grill and while the meat is cooking give a nice toast to the beer gods. If you live in an area with a limited selection, I recommend Samual Adams Oktoberfest which is usually readily available. However, if you live near a liquor store which so happens to have a wide selection of both imports and micros, my good friend Kevin Gruber (and beer connoisseur) recommends the below Marzen style Oktoberfest from Paulaner. I myself haven't tried it, but I'm on the hunt for it so if anyone in the Chicago area locates it let me know where I can find it.

For those of you unfamiliar with a Marzen Oktoberfest style of beer, it's the style of beer that has been served at the original festival in Munich since 1818. Originally, they were brewed as a dark lager, but since 1872 a strong March brewed version of an amber-red Vienna lager (originally made by Josef Sedlmayr) has been the favorite Oktoberfestbier .(http://www.wikipedia.org/)

Whatever the case, take a moment this weekend or next to celebrate the drink you love...beer.

Cheers!

Illinois
Sept, 23
Great Lakes Oktoberfest Beer Dinner, Chicago, Illinois - Beer Dinner / Pairing

Sept, 26
Fall Oktoberfest Tasting, Lombard, Illinois - Beer Tasting
Oktoberfest Beer Tasting, Schaumburg, Illinois - Beer Tasting

Sept, 29
Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beer Festival, Chicago, Illinois - Beer Tasting

October, 02
3rd Annual Festiv-Ale: A Celebration of Beer, Chicago, Illinois - Charity Beer Event

October, 03
HOPS! Oktoberfest 2009, Chicago, Illinois - Beer Festival
Oktoberfest, Flossmoor, Illinois - Beer Festival

Indiana
Sept, 24
Octoberfest / Pumpkin Celebration, Fort Wayne, Indiana - Beer Tasting

Sept, 26
Oktoberfest, Crown Point, Indiana - Beer Festival

Wisconsin
Sept, 25
La Crosse Oktoberfest, La Crosse, Wisconsin - Beer Festival
Septembeerfest, Oak Creek, Wisconsin - Beer Tasting

October, 03
2nd Annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest, Merrill, Wisconsin - Beer Festival
Dallas Oktoberfest, Dallas, Wisconsin - Beer Festival