For beer enthusiasts, one thing comes to mind when the weather cools down — Oktoberfest. Local pubs and breweries share in the world’s largest beer celebration, but for those looking to step outside of the German lager, there are other fall brews to try.
Gerst Haus
2100 W. Franklin St. // 812-424-1420
Want to go full German for the season? Grab an imported Oktoberfest Märzen (spring-brewed beer) from Munich, Germany brewers Hacker-Pschorr or Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu-Gruppe to go with your hearty sausages and pig knuckles. Sample a regional selection with a Munsterfest beer from Munster, Indiana, brewer 3 Floyds Brewing.
Knob Hill Tavern
1016 IN 662, Newburgh, IN // 812-853-9550
Pair your sauerbraten roast or fried kraut balls with a famous fishbowl draft of light Märzen courtesy of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Founders Brewing Co. Bottled suds like Ciderboys’ Peach County or Pom ‘n Cherry also offer a fruity fall kick.
Damsel Brew Pub
209 N. Wabash Ave. of Flags // 812-909-1956
Brewed onsite, the Munich Dunkel “Erika” is just the beer to put you in the fall spirit. The malty, dark lager is named after Erika Lehmann, the main character of Evansville author Mike Whicker’s “Evansville’s Finest Hour,” his latest novel about the German spy who infiltrated Evansville’s LST shipyard during World War II. How about that? A beer with a story!
Myriad Brewing Company
101 S.E. First St., Ste. 1 // 812-402-1515
Malty with mild hop bitterness, Myriad’s Märzen is a red-hued, slightly sweet brew common with American Oktoberfest beers. Virtue Cider’s Michigan Cherry and Myriad’s Own “This is Kevin” stout also are great fall-flavored selections.
Turoni’s
408 N. Main St. // 812-424-9871
Available at its North Main Street location beginning at the end of September, the Turoni’s version of Oktoberfest is brewed in-house with German hops and a healthy dose of Vienna malt. But be careful on the pizza brick road! This festbier has 7.1% ABV.
