Pumpkin beers from MadTree (The Great PumpCan) and Oktoberfest beers from Tap & Screw (Schraube) and Rhinegeist (Franz) have already made their way to the market, unseasonably early. Just around the corner are several Oktoberfests, though, and late-summer outdoor beer fests to look forward to.
New Local Beers
• At the end of July, Taft’s Ale House released Bosmo, an imperial cream ale, and Citrus Paradise, an American IPA brewed with grapefruit. They plan on releasing their Cherrywood amber in cans soon — its smokiness pairs well with a campfire.
• MadTree’s latest release breathes life into summer: Lemon Basil Blonde, made with, you guessed it, basil and lemon peel. At 4.7-percent ABV, it goes down easy.
• Fifty West released One Way Street: Saaz with “a mild, earthy, herbal and spicy flavor and aroma.”
• Urban Artifact has a new beer called Sundial Specialty Wit, a Belgian wit.
• Quaff Bros., owned and operated by Party Source, released SS Kentucky, made with spices and aged in bourbon barrels; it can be found at Party Source, of course.
• Recently, Mt. Carmel brought back their Vanilla Bean Berries N Cream Ale — so delicious.
• Beer and donuts: Karina Rice of Gadabout Doughnuts made donuts with Braxton Brewing Company’s Dead Blow Tropical Stout and named the concoction Dead Blow Doughnuts. At her pop-up shops, she also sells a Brew-Nut, created with MadTree’s Boysen the Hood beer.
Brewery Renovation
• Bad Tom Brewing tweaked their taproom (new lighting, new TVs and an overall facelift) and brought in a new head brewer, Eric Napier. Bad Tom will reportedly reopen by the end of the month, and once they do, Tuesdays will become Double Barrel Tuesdays: two pints for $6.
Beer Events
• On Aug. 27, Taft’s Ale House celebrates the inaugural Masskrugstemmen Oktoberfest, aka a stein-hoisting competition to see who can hold a full liter stein at arm’s length for as long as possible. The entry fee is $5 and the winner receives a shiny trophy and bragging rights. (facebook.com/taftsalehouse)
• Celebrate Oktoberfest with real Germans at the Germania Society of Cincinnati’s 45th annual party Aug. 28-30. Guzzle schnapps, Jägermiester and German beers while chowing down on homemade spätzle and cream puffs. (germaniasociety.com/oktoberfest)
• Every winter, MadTree throws their Winter Bonanza, but Aug. 29-30 they’re putting on Summer Bonanza. Bands like DAAP Girls and Cereal Killers play as people quaff MadTree beers and binge from different food trucks. (madtreebrewing.com)
• Metropole bartender extraordinaire Catherine Manabat leads the monthly series Sunday School at the Metropole. During the Aug. 30 session, she’ll explore classic beer and wine cocktails. The best part is, you get to sample all the drinks she makes. The cost is $35 per person, and the class starts at 4 p.m. To reserve a spot, call 513-578-6686.
• Taft’s is on a roll: On Sept. 9, they’re doing an OTR church walking tour. Take a 90-minute tour of five stately OTR churches, including the protestant church Taft’s inhabits. Tickets are $30 and include a free beer. Proceeds benefit the Over-the-Rhine Foundation. Beer, exercise and charity, all in one night. (americanlegacytours.com.)
• Consider it practice: MainStrasse kicks off their Oktoberfest festivities Sept. 11-13, which is the weekend before downtown’s. Try not to choke on a Bavarian pretzel.
• If you don’t go to Cincy Beerfest Sept. 11-12, you’ll have to wait until June 2016 for the next edition. Enjoy more than 250 brews from around the country with food trucks and bands on Fountain Square. (beerfesttickets.com.)
• On Sept. 19, Fifty West hosts the daylong Fifty Fest. For $10, you get to see 10 local bands and drink beer from Fifty West, Fat Head, Seventh Son, Moerlein, MadTree and Zanesville’s Weasel Boy. Buy a Penny Pilsner and/or The Rainbow Road in a can prior to the event and peel a sticker to reveal free admission to the fest. (fiftywestbrew.com)
• It’s hard to believe yet another chicken dance is on the horizon, but Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, presented by Sam Adams, hits downtown Sept. 18-20. Again, please don’t choke on a Bavarian pretzel. (oktoberfestzinzinnati.com)
