Fall brings that crisp turn in the air, and a sudden urge to swap out light summer pints for something with a bit more weight, warmth, and character. October is a unique month in the beer world, it bridges the gap between the deeply rooted, historic harvest celebrations of Bavaria and the eerie, cozy fun of Halloween season.
Before we dive into the dark and mysterious side of the tap list, it’s worth raising a glass to the granddaddy of all autumn beer traditions: Oktoberfest. The origin of Oktoberfest dates back to October 12, 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate the royal nuptials on the fields outside the city gates, featuring horse races, feast foods, and plenty of local brew. The party was such a success that it became an annual tradition. Over two centuries later, the spirit of that original Bavarian harvest celebration lives on in every rich, copper-hued lager poured during the season.
Now it’s time to lean into the darker, spookier side of October drinking. Here is what we have lined up for you this month on draft and in bottles.
To anchor our October lineup in true Bavarian heritage, we have to start with Ayinger Privatbrauerei and their classic Oktober Fest-Märzen. Historically, Märzen beers were brewed in March long before the summer heat made brewing risky without modern refrigeration, and kept in cold caves through the summer to be unbundled for fall festivities. Ayinger’s rendition is widely considered a gold standard of the style. Fest-Märzen opens with rich aromas of toasted malt, warm biscuit, and a subtle touch of spicy noble hops. It’s a liquid nod to Munich history and the ultimate classic lager for crisp autumn evenings.
Nothing says fall quite like the nostalgic sweetness of a caramel-dipped orchard apple, and Country Boy Brewing nails that exact flavor profile with their Caramel Apple Cider. Crafting a balanced fruit cider is all about preserving the natural tartness of the base fruit while seamlessly layering in cozy dessert notes. This seasonal pour from Country Boy Brewing opens with bright, freshly pressed crisp apple aromas up front, followed quickly by a rich, buttery wave of caramel sweetness. If you want all the autumn orchard vibes in a pint glass, this cider is your go-to harvest treat.
When the temperature drops and the night creeps in, it’s time to bring out the big guns from Founders Brewing Co. Their legendary Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout family needs no introduction, but the Founders KBS Hazelnut Fudge variant takes the dark, decadent experience to a whole new level. Brewed with massive amounts of coffee and chocolate, then aged to perfection in bourbon barrels, this imperial stout from Founders Brewing Co. gets infused with natural hazelnut and fudge flavor. The result is an elixir bursting with notes of roasted coffee beans, melted dark chocolate, oaky bourbon warmth, and toasted nutty sweetness. KBS Hazelnut Fudge is liquid comfort for anyone looking to embrace the dark side of craft brewing.
Indiana’s 3 Floyds Brewing has always embraced a chaotic, dark-fantasy aesthetic, making them a natural fit for our Halloween lineup. First up from 3 Floyds is Zombie Dust, an undisputed icon among American Pale Ales. Named after the undead, this intensely hopped single-hop pale ale from 3 Floyds Brewing is an absolute must-drink for the season.
While Zombie Dust pays homage to the classic undead, 3 Floyds Brewing has also brought something fierce and fresh to the party with War Mullet. This Double IPA from 3 Floyds is a heavy-hitting standout that lives up to the brewery’s “Not Normal” ethos. Pushing the boundaries of flavor intensity, 3 Floyds War Mullet unleashes an aggressive bouquet of dank pine, overripe grapefruit, and herbal hop oil. Grouping Zombie Dust and War Mullet together gives you the ultimate contrast between smooth, aromatic hop mastery and uninhibited, aggressive IPA power.
Whether you’re stopping in to pay homage to old-world Bavarian traditions with a crisp Fest-Märzen or diving headfirst into dark stouts and terrifyingly good IPAs, we’ve got your autumn cravings covered. Come take a seat at the Mellow Mushroom bar and let our team pour you something special. No tricks, only treats!
-by Maeve Black
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