Events

--- The Big Kahuna, Baltimore Beer Week, October 10th-18th, 300+ events

--- Flying Dog beer dinner at Ellicott City's The Diamondback Tavern Tuesday October 13th at 7 PM. Five courses all created specifically to pair with five different Flying Dog beers and the chef will uses Flying Dog in his preparations. Price is $45/person plus tax/gratuity.

--- Saturday October 3rd and Sunday October 4th, Frederick Octoberfest at the Frederick Fairgrounds. Cost is $5/person, free with authentic dirndl or lederhosen. German food, oompah bands, and specially brewed Oktoberfest beers from Barley & hops, Brewers Alley, DuClaw, Flying Dog and Wild Goose.

Oktoberfest

If he weren't my brother I'd be insanely jealous ... my brother and some friends hopped off to Europe to experience several destinations this week including Oktoberfest in Germany.

Needless to say I've received a few brief --if excited -- emails the last few days.

Dang.

He's a little bit later to great beer than myself, but at every opportunity to experience the good stuff he dives right in, visiting here in Baltimore and making treks to D.C. when in town and enjoying every minute of it. He also went out of his way on our summer road trip into the American Southwest to help me find some superb beer destinations where we didn't expect many. Some of it was just being supportive but his passion is clearly there and its cool to share that with him, I really didn't expect that since he has so many other interests although he's always indulged my whimsies, being a better brother than myself.

It doesn't hurt he lives in the beer nirvana that is San Diego County but he's been a fun convert and shares with me interesting stuff he finds along the way. So now its fun to sit back and see him experience all that and have a great time, and hear about how things were once he returns.

Prosit!

Red Beer!

Freaktoberfest, an Oktoberfest style beer that is red in color but tastes, well, normal.

Be on the lookout.

Philly's Oktoberfest

Almost belated on this, but Philadelphia is celebrating Oktoberfest, all kinds of good beer (Philadelphia, duh).

Saturday September 19th, two sessions 1 PM and 6 PM at 23rd Street Armory in Center City

$50 at the door includes unlimited samples + 1 LG cup of Spaten

Designated drivers $15

Music, beer, biergarten, dancing, food, you know the drill.

Brewer's Alley Oktoberfest Beer Dinner

Frederick's Brewer's Alley is hosting an Oktoberfest beer dinner Tuesday October 6th. The first seating is at 530 PM, the second at 730 PM.

$45/person plus tax and gratuity, reservations required (301)631-0089

Dorsey's German bratwurst and knackwurst fresh from Dorsey's meats in Woodsboro MD served w/sauerkraut, warm fingerling potato salad and Dusseldorf mustard (Kolsch)

Bavarian lentil soup w/braised rabbit, German rye and pumpernickel breads (Dunkleweizen)

Sweet and sour beets, smoked bacon, D'anjou pears and red oak leaves topped with a crispy potato cake drizzled with chive sour cream dressing (21 Cherries)

Idaho rainbow trout schnitzel, kaese spaetzel, braised red cabbage and hazelnut brown butter (Pilsner)

Braised beef sauerbraten, Kartoffel Kloesse potato dumplings, roasted carrots in Nut Brown Ale and caramelized brussel sprouts (Wedding Alt)

Oma's apple-walnut strudel, Quark cheese creme anglaise (Oktoberfest)

Pumpkin, Oktoberfest and Fest Beers (Bier) In Maryland

Recently someone googled into Baltimore Beer Guy searching for where to find these seasonal beers in Maryland. I try to be a resource, so here's what I know

1)I'm not a huge fan of these beers, so my interest/knowledge is a bit limited

2)As far as in bottles, I can guarantee almost any respectable bottle shop and beer/wine store will have several. They're particularly loaded at The Perfect Pour and I definitely recommend heading down their way to see what they have. Locally, Clipper City's MarzHon seasonal is widely available in bottles and occasionally on tap.

Also, be sure to check out my "Stock Up" listing of shops and custom-made map of places to find good beer in Maryland. I'm trying to build it so it's not the most comprehensive just yet. Both are on the menu at right.

3)More importantly, here's where I recommend finding them on tap.

Max's in Fell's Point is guaranteed to have some. They recently hosted a German beer fest and there are still a few leftover German beers and I'm fairly certain they've added more than a few seasonal taps.

Frisco Grille in Columbia had a ton on recently although the supply has dwindled a bit as they transition to their less seasonal selections.

Ellicott Mills Brewing Company in downtown Ellicott City should be a good option. The last time I was there (just a few days ago) they didn't have any "fest" beers, but they brew in the traditional German Alpenhof style and was told several seasonals were coming on board just as soon as a few of the other beers kicked. Everything is made in-house there and goes great with the fall season in general.

Also, you can find custom beers at various breweries. Flying Dog makes a Dogtoberfest Marzen and is likely on tap at their Frederick brewery (open on Saturdays from 1:30-4, they have a really fun tasting room). Dogfish Head's Alehouse in Gaithersburg also has their seasonal "Punkin" beer on tap right now. Ram's Head Tavern in Savage (and maybe other locations) should also have I think either an Oktoberfest or pumpkin or other "fest" styled beer on tap.

4)Other than that, I'd check with respected watering holes with at least 6-7 tap handles (Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia and especially The Judge's Bench in downtown Ellicott City come to mind) to inquire what they have available.

5)Finally, I'd check with the handful of German restaurants in Maryland. I only know Eichenkranz (who I doubt carries any seasonals but you can ask) in downtown and Schmankerl Stube in Hagerstown which might, and if nothing else will have terrific German beers on tap.

Feel free to chime in with other suggestions or comments!

Update: Some updates ... Brewers Alley in Frederick has an Oktoberfest beer on tap right now. So too, does Dog Pub in Columbia. I've also stumbled across a third German dining establishment in Maryland that does have authentic German beers and should have some kind of seasonal on tap -- The Old Stein Inn in Edgewater near Annapolis.

Dogfish Head Oktoberfest Beer Dinner

This is being held at the Gaithersburg, Md. Dogfish Head Alehouse (as well as the Falls Church Virginia location).

Details: October 27th (VA) & 28th (MD), starting at 7 p.m.for $50 (tax and tip included)

The Food:

Perogies w/Shelter Pale Ale

Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing w/Midas Touch

German sauerkraut soup with German dark bread w/Theobroma

Sauerbraten with spaetzle, red cabbage and green beans w/Indian Brown Ale

Apple strudel and ice cream w/Punkin Ale