Regina Heffington
You’d think they’d call it “Septemberfest.” The 2 ½ week festival held in Post to Post Links II error: No link found for term slug "Munich, Bavaria, Germany" gets beer lovers thoughtfully reflecting upon how and where they will celebrate their own Oktoberfest (officially being held there beginning Saturday, September 20 and running through the first Sunday in October (Oct 5). Visions of lederhosen and dirdl dresses, strudel and sauerkraut, decorative Bavarian beer steins and frothy Maßkrüge fill their imaginations anticipating this exciting beer-focused festival .
You’ll find that some local establishments choose to celebrate Oktoberfest in … well … October. Regardless, the month of September brings with it the advent of exciting fall beers! Be on the lookout for pumpkin-spiced beers, German styles like Marzen, and creations using cinnamon and ginger. Simply ask your favorite beer purveyor for a lineup of their fall and Oktoberfest beers. When you get out and about, make note of what our local brews and chews establishments have to offer this month.
WooHoo! – another local microbrewery has opened! Veterans United Craft Brewery (8999 Western Way #104 – (904)253-3326) opened its doors recently to great reviews! Satisfying the discriminating Jacksonvillian beer palates currently are:
Veterans United Craft Brewery Raging Blonde Ale
Raging Blonde is a malt-oriented golden blonde ale that pushes the boundaries of the style with generous late kettle additions of Cascade and Centennial hops. The result is a knockout beer featuring a riveting hop flavor without the associated bitterness. Quench your thirst by making this your go to blonde. Note: 5.2% ABV & 23 IBUs
Veterans United Craft Brewery HopBanshee IPA
HopBanshee’s screaming hop aroma and flavor mimic the powerful cry of the banshee. Experience the wrath of Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus hops. HopBanshee entices you to enjoy this mystical, hop-ladened West Coast style IPA with its sonic hop scream! Note: 6.5% ABV & 66 IBUs
Veterans United Craft Brewery Scout Dog 44 Amber Ale
Scout Dog 44 unleashes flavor with a rich biscuit and light caramel malt backbone perfectly balanced with noble hop bitterness. Stand above the pack and savor this easy-drinking amber. Note: 5.4% ABV & 30 IBUs
Bold City Brewery (2670 Rosselle St (904)379-6551) will again be opening on Sundays for Growler fills only during the football season beginning Sept 7. Sundays hours will be 10am – 12pm. Sensory Saturdays at Bold City begin Saturday, Sept 6. Firewater Tent Revival will be performing starting at 7pm. Enjoying great music, tasty food from Jolly Mon Catering and delicious Bold City beer is a fabulous way to spend Saturday evenings! Bold City Brewery will be tapping their popular pumpkin ale during September. For more information on what date that will occur, please visit www.jaxbrewbitch.com. Also, on Saturday Sept 13, the Run for the Arts Inaugural 5K run will have registration at Bold City Brewery beginning at 4:00pm. The race will begin at 5:30pm and each participant will receive a free t-shirt and their first beer compliments of Bold City Brewery!
Silver Cow (1506 King Street (904)379-6968) has Open Mic Night every Tuesday evening beginning at 8pm. Be one of at least 10 performers and have the chance to win a $25 bar tab! Drafts are $1 off from 8:00pm to close. Every Thursday at Silver Cow is Dames & Games Night – ladies receive special drink discounts and can have manicures and nail art applied by M.A.D. Nails. Plus, ladies will receive a 20% discount from Old Skool Junk Accessories and Poor Girl Vintage Clothing. Spend over $50 and receive a free can of locally brewed craft beer!
Beer: 30 (1271 King Street (904)388-0033) will soon be offering Growler fills! Known throughout the craft beer community as a go-to spot for an impressive array of canned and bottled craft beer, Warren and Justin are taking it to another level! Another impressive addition to the King Street Beer District!
Intuition Ale Works (720 King Street (904)683-7720) will be very busy this month! Look for them at The Local Palate Delicious Destinations event at Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, the Tampa Bay Beer Week Halfway There event in St. Petersburg, the Northeast Florida Beer Cup, Brew at the Zoo here in Jacksonville, Clean Water Music Fest at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, and the Dragonboat Festival at Jacksonville Landing (Sept 27).
Kickbacks Gastropub (910 King Street (904)388-9551) monster expansion – Goozlepipe and Guttyworks will begin seating in the newly constructed dining area early September on a limited basis. Kickbacks now has 84 beers back on tap!
Engine 15 Brewing Company (1500 Beach Boulevard Jax Beach (904)249-2337) has a lot going on in September!
Wednesdays – Brewery Spotlight
9/3 Humboldt Brewing Company
9/10 Sixpoint Brewery
9/17 La Chouffe Gnome Night
9/24 Belgian Night with Microman Distribution
Thursdays
9/4 Ladies Night
9/11 Randall: Straight 30 Weight Stout w/ Chipotle and Cocoa Nibs
9/18 Cask: Double Drop with whole leaf Citra Cask Hops
9/25 Food & Beer Pairing: Meatball Sliders with Double BattleAxe Imp. IPA
Engine 15 will be celebrating Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct 4th all day. The very popular Oompah band will be performing from 2-4:30pm and then Mark O’Quinn from 5:30-7. A tradition, there will be Feats of Strength and a King & Queen shall be crowned!
So “fall out” this month – get festive and enjoy what our fabulous local establishments have to offer you in the way of craft beer selections! Have a Happy October!…I mean, September!
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