Your Next Pint

Beers, Brats & Unicorns at the 40th Annual Big Bear Oktoberfest

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With October right around the corner, throw caution to the (hopefully forthcoming cooling) wind and take a weekender trip up to the 40th Annual Big Bear Oktoberfest for log sawing contests, guys in lederhosen, and even unicorn rides.

Grab a $20 book of Burgermeister Bucks to grub on Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Pickled delights, Strudel, even American Fare, and 11 Biers galore. As for admission, you can pre-purchase discounted tickets online or over the phone – Saturday Adult tickets cost $12, Children are $6; and Sunday Adult tix are half price, while children are FREE. If you get too tipsy, you can take the O'Douls Shuttle back to your place of lodging in the Big Bear Valley area, complimentary.

The Washdown:

- smooth, malty and not too hoppy Warsteiner Premium Oktoberfest 5.9% ABV

- i like to drink, drink, drink apples & bananas Konig Ludwig Weiss 5.5% ABV

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Of course I couldn't go to Oktoberfest without trying the sponsored beer. The Warsteiner Oktoberfest has a rich malty flavor, it's definitely not too bitter, and is smooth going down with a final little nip.

The Konig Ludwig Weiss kinda stole my heart, especially after a long day playing at the Hot Dawgz & Hand Railz event. I was pleasantly surprised by the big frothy head, fruity apple & banana nose, a touch of spice, and a sweet finish.

If you fall in love with one beer, you might wanna go with the Mini Keg that holds 8 beers for $48. Other beers include Jack's Pumpkin Spice, Landshark IPA, and Michelob Amber Bock.

The Grubdown:

- spicy, tangy, enough to split Bratwurst Dinner with Sauerkraut, Peppered German Potato Salad & Buttery Roll ($10)

- assorted Pickled foods, Pickle on a Stick, and ginormous Pretzels ($2-3)

- flaky, sticky 'n sweet Apple Strudel ($6)

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Unless you've spent the afternoon sawing logs all day, you might want to consider splitting the Bratwurst Dinner – especially if you plan on tackling the Pickled Vegetables & Strudel. The Brat is thick, steamy 'n spicy. The Sauerkraut is stringy, tangy, vinegary, and so good for you & your digestion. The German Potato Salad is peppery, spiced with Oregano, and you'll like it more than it looks. And I highly recommend breaking open the buttery Roll and stuffing it with all the fixins to make your own sandwich.

As for the Pickled things – Pig's Feet, Eggs, Large Germans (Cucumbers that is) – I wasn't so brave. So I stuck with what I imagine to be Snooki's favorite, Pickle on a Stick (it's pretty much what you expect). The Pretzel was bigger than my torso, so I decided to pass and save room for the Strudel.

The Apple Strudel has the same consistency of Entenmann's (the fat-free dessert that was all the rage in the 90's). However, this one's got loads more Butter & Sugar, and fantastic fat pieces of Cinnamon-spiced tart Apple slices.

After you're fed and bier-ed, dance to the Bavarian Mainfloesser band, buy some wrought-iron Peacocks from the vendors outside, go for a Unicorn pony ride, and take respite on the peaceful patio – the screaming ladies on stage will get to you, trust me.

Prost, Gaudi, and Zicke-Zicka Zicke-Zicka Hoi Hoi Hoi!

Big Bear Lake Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. 909-585-3000.

A Pirate's Life for You and Brews at Newport Storm Brewery, RI

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Fresh out the bottle Newport Storm beers from Coastal Brewing Co. might be hard to miss on the outside, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on their 4 creative beer styles and Thomas Tew Rum too.

Since their recent soft open in late May for $7 Beer & $9 Rum Tastings, the brewery still lacks signage and is unfinished on the inside, but their flagship Hurricane Amber Ale can be found all over bars and liquor stores in Rhode Island. And in between construction, they've managed to find the time to tweet regularly @NewportStorm and throw events like fundraisers & Beer Dinners too.

The Washdown:

- barley citrus nose, wheaty tangy taste, red amber colored Hurricane Amber Ale, 5.2% ABV

- you can smell the strong blueberry way across the brewery, mildly fruity, golden-orange colored Rhode Island Blueberry Fruit Beer, 4.8% ABV

- citrus honey nose, tangy malty sweet, copper amber colored Regenschauer Oktoberfest, 5% ABV

- super hoppy nose, pine & citrus flavors with strong carbonation, cloudy orange-amber colored Summer IPA, 6.1% ABV

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As a beer blogger vacationing in Rhode Island a few weeks ago, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about the state's own brand new craft brewery.

I'd already tasted the oh-so popular Hurricane Amber Ale at several pubs, including the Brick Alley, before my visit. But when I was there I tasted more of the Ale's touch of caramel and almost burnt bite.

The Rhode Island Blueberry Fruit beer turned out to be one of the best – especially since the berry is my all time favorite. What I liked most is that the beer wasn't sweet, but actually very mild, making it an all-around great beer for the girls AND boys. The blueberries used to flavor the beer come from Sharton Farms in Exeter, then are pressed and pasteurized at Newport Vineyard.

The Oktoberfest had a citrusy caramel nose, a frothy head that quickly dissipated, and tasted malty, slightly bitter and grassy.

Finally the Summer IPA was big and bold with a nose as hoppy as Racer5 and tasted like grapefruit and pine.

Unfortunately, after 4 hefty beer tastings at $7 (you get to keep the glass for free too) I didn't have enough room for the dark Tew Rum. But I did learn that it's slowly made to replicate rums produced in Newport a swashbucklin' long time arrrrgo.

Stay tuned for a Newport Storm Beer Dinner at The Smokhouse, Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 6:30pm for $42pp.

Your Next Pint:

- the best of the bunch that should be bottled and sold, Windward Weiss exclusively on tap at the Castle Hill Inn & Resort