Photo by Kevin Harber.
Drink of the week: Oktoberfest beer
Where to get it: Port City Brewery, DC Brau, Snallygaster festival, basically any good beer bar
Set aside for a moment the impending 90-degree heat wave and take a minute to appreciate that September is here. It’s supposed to be time to reset from summer, when you wake up to cool mornings that lead into refreshing, humidity-free evenings. While those temperatures might have to wait a week or two more, you can at least start drinking like the seasons have changed with a local Oktoberfest-style beer.
Don’t be fooled by the name—the German Oktoberfest festival actually begins in September, and area brewers have been working earnestly to get their fall recipes on shelves and into bars. Oktoberfest beers are dark-bodied, malty lagers low on bitterness and alcohol, making them super drinkable, especially on a patio or in a beer garden. One thing to make clear: Oktoberfest beers are not pumpkin beers! Those are a totally different subset of fall seasonal brews and a discussion for another day.
Much of D.C.’s homegrown craft beer scene is getting into the Oktoberfest spirit this year. Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Ave) is launching its Marzen-style lager this weekend with a parking lot party today and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be live music starting at 5 p.m. both days as well as food trucks from Rocklands BBQ and Ada’s Kitchen on Wheels. They’ll also be at Neal Place Tap + Garden on Sept. 11 for a $35 German picnic and beer party. DC Brau released its Oktoberfest cans this week, so keep an eye on it throughout the season. They’ll also be at Neal Place on Friday, Sept. 16 for a similar event.
For an opportunity to try a bunch of Oktoberfest beers in one place, head to the enormous Snallygaster beer festival on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. It’s not the primary focus, but there will be several seasonally-appropriate drafts from places like Sierra Nevada, Firestone Walker, Bells, and District Chophouse.
Anyone with the fortitude for a massive bar crawl may be interested in the District Oktoberfest event being held at bars in and around Chinatown on Sept. 17 and 18 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include six 12-ounce fest beers. Other events will pop up during the month too, including Oktoberfest at Wunder Garten (150 M St. NE) Sept 22 through the 25.
