While summer technically goes until September 22nd, I really consider the end of the season to be Labor Day weekend. We have a big party every year to celebrate the end of the summer (check it out here) and honestly, after that, nothing feels the same to me. All of the sudden I notice the wind feels a bit brisker, leaves start to take on a touch of red amidst the sea of green and I no longer need to have the AC on to feel comfortable. I love the fall and all of the changes that it brings, but most of all I love the fabulous beer fests that pepper the season with good drink, great places and awesome people.

The awesome people I’m talking about? Beer lovers, of course! The great thing about beer festivals is that they’re usually outdoors in great parks or recreational areas under those über-iconic beerfest tents with a band playing some sort of oompah music and all kinds of gastronomic delights being served, from Bavarian pretzels and sausage and peppers to fried dough and bratwursts. It’s just a guaranteed good time for all, and if you just happen to be a beer geek, then this is pretty close to heaven on earth.

Of course, the most iconic beerfest of the fall is Germany’s Oktoberfest, which takes place this year from September 19th to October 4th (yes, it starts tomorrow, so start being jealous of attendees… NOW). Unfortunately, we all can’t get to Munich to take part in the fun, but fortunately, we have local options.

That’s right— our own domestic beer culture and homegrown appreciation for all things sudsy has lead to the development of more and more regional and local beer tastings and events. The granddaddy of US beer events would have to be the Great American Beer Festival, which is coming to Denver, CO on September 24th to 26th. With 2,100 beers served and 495 breweries attending, there’s a reason I dubbed the festival a beer lover’s paradise… And that was back in 2007 when the numbers were even less than they are today! I’m sad to not be able to attend this year, but have already marked the dates for next year down in my calendar as this is an event that any true beer lover should never miss.

However, I did get to attend a local beer festival this past weekend in Waterbury, CT called the Brass City Beer Festival. With more than 250 beers and a special Belgian beer tent (that was AWESOME and well worth the additional $10), I was more than satisfied with the experience. Local reps were on hand to answer questions about some of my domestic favorites, including Avery, Captain Lawrence, Dogfish, Southern Tier, Stone, and Weyerbacher, to name a few. The representatives pouring the Belgian selections were also helpful and informative, which certainly was appreciated when trying to pronounce some of the brewery names or understand exactly what style beer it was that you were tasting. Standouts in the Belgian tent included Scotch Silly, Troubadour Obscura Stout, Petrus Dubbel Brown and de Proefbrouwerij Lozen Abbey Style Ale. And the all-around standout of the event that blew my mind? BrewDog from Scotland. Go find some. Now. Trust me.

To find similar beer events, Octoberfests and tastings close to you, check out these great resources:

Beer Advocate’s Event Calendar
Realbeer.com’s Event Calendar
Draft Magazine’s Event Calendar

What’s coming up on your schedule: what fabulous event have you attended or will be attending this fall? Any resource recommendations or musts for people looking to experience the best there is to offer in the beer world?

Photo Credit: Dan Pearson (except Germany’s Octoberfest photo)

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