Spreading Oktoberfest cheer this September

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This article was published 13/09/2024 (709 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While it’s nice to enjoy the warm, lingering days of late summer, there’s also reason for excitement for craft beer fans — fall is arguably the best season for new brews.

As the pale pilsners, lagers and fruit-driven sours of summer fade into the rearview mirror, beer lovers are treated to deeper, more robust and hearty brews that come with autumn — brown ales, stouts, märzens and the like.

And, of course, there’s the world’s largest celebration of beer — Oktoberfest. The original Bavarian festival runs from Sept. 21-Oct. 6 in Munich, featuring massive steins of beer, traditional German fare and a whole lot of gemütlichkeit (there’s no direct translation of this German word, but think of it, roughly speaking, as good cheer and friendliness at a social event).

Closer to home, some local breweries are spreading Bavarian-styled good cheer, with festive Oktoberfest-themed events planned in the coming weeks. On Saturday, Sept. 21, Devil May Care Brewing Co. (155 Fort St.) is teaming up with neighbours at the Pyramid Cabaret to throw an Oktoberfest-themed street party starting at noon that will feature new German-style brews served up in a beer garden along with live and German music and food, plus games and contests. Admission is free and all ages are welcome (for the fun, not the beer-drinking, obviously).

Over at Little Brown Jug (336 William Ave.), meanwhile, they’re throwing their own Oktoberfest-style party — albeit a little later in the season — on Friday, Oct. 4. The event will feature a German-style sit-down dinner of bratwurst, soft pretzels and more, including seasonal brews and live Bavarian-themed tunes. Tickets are $50 plus fees and include a 34-ounce Oktoberfest stein, a beer, dinner and entry into the brewery; there are two sittings (5-7 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m.); guests are welcome to come early or stay late to keep the party going. For more info and to get tickets see wfp.to/Cfl.

The featured beer at Oktoberfest is typically a märzen, a fairly robust lager with up-front malty notes. Expect both Devil May Care and Little Brown Jug to have some of their own on hand — One Great City Brewing Co. (1596 Ness Ave.), has already released a märzen of their own (read on for tasting notes), and Half Pints Brewing Co. (550 Roseberry St.) has been teasing an Oktoberfest beer (which it has brewed in the past) on its social media feeds.

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Both Devil May Care and Little Brown Jug, along with Nonsuch Brewing Co. (125 Pacific Ave.), are also holding events in conjunction with Nuit Blanche, which takes place through the city’s core on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Little Brown Jug hosts Belong: The Power of Music, presented by Just Friends Collective and featuring an immersive light and sculpture exhibit and performances by Viva Non, Crab Skull and more. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is free.

Devil May Care, meanwhile, is hosting audio and visual artists featuring modular synthesizers and more by Freakingsnap and visual projections by Patrick Michalishyn starting at 7 p.m., with the taproom staying open late for the event (which is also free).

And at Nonsuch, they’re celebrating six years of beers with an event dubbed Off the Vine, which will feature music by Anthony OKS, dance courtesy of Phantom Dances and visuals by Joseph Fiola. On social media the brewery has also teased that some limited-release brews will be available for purchase. Admission is free.

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Nonsuch isn’t the only brewery celebrating a birthday — over at Torque Brewing Co. (830 King Edward St.), an eighth anniversary party on Saturday, Sept. 21, will also feature the introduction of the brewery’s new flatmate.

Expect a range of small-batch brews and all manner of festivities, which will also include tacos for sale all day courtesy of La Taqueria. Starting on Sept. 19, La Taqueria’s food truck will be set up at the brewery on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays before they move into the building in October, and will begin operating out of the taproom.

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On the new developments front, Winnipeg private wine store the Winehouse (1600 Kenaston Blvd.) has finished the conversion of a portion of the shop into a wine bar. The Wine Bar at the Winehouse is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and features a range of wines by the glass, as well as cocktails, with more events (and wine flights) slated to be introduced in the future.

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Drinks of the week

One Great City Migration Märzen Harvest Amber Lager (Winnipeg — $4.49/473ml cans, brewery, beer vendors, Liquor Marts)

One Great City’s latest collaboration with FortWhyte Alive is the first of the local Oktoberfest-style marzens to hit store shelves.

It’s deep copper-gold in colour and clear, with up-front malt, caramel and dried fruit notes on the nose.

It’s medium-bodied and just slightly sweet, with roasted malt flavours and secondary caramel/brown sugar notes, hints of dried fruit and modest bitterness before the medium-length finish (it’s 5.5 per cent alcohol).

Pour into a large stein and enjoy. 3.5/5

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Casa Silva 2023 Doña Dominga Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé (Colchagua Valley, Chile — around $13, private wine stores)

Pale pink in colour, this Chilean rosé made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes offers straightforward and pleasant raspberry, strawberry and cherry pie aromas, with a hint of peach in there as well.

It’s light-bodied and brings just a touch of sweetness, which ramps up the ripe red berry and cherry flavours that retain some zip thanks to modest acidity.

A simple but fun late-summer pink wine. Available at the Winehouse, Jones & Co., De Nardi Wines, the Pourium and Kenaston Wine Market. 3 /5

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Secreto Patagónico 2022 Rebel Pinot Noir (Patagonia, Argentina — $18.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

From this cool southern Argentine region comes the Rebel Pinot Noir, pale brickish-cherry in colour and offering plum, cherry, toffee, raspberry and spice aromas.

It’s light-bodied and dry, with decent ripeness to the red fruit flavours and some earthy, white pepper and cola notes, modest tannins and acidity and a relatively short finish (it’s 13 per cent alcohol).

Chill for 15 minutes and enjoy on the patio while you still can. 3.5/5

uncorked@mts.net

@bensigurdson