“He was a wise man who invented beer” -Plato

Beer.

Ah, just the thought of that amazing beverage brings back a flood of magnificent memories. I can’t remember exactly when I had my first beer, but some of my fondest moments have been surrounded by it. Beer was there on college game days and at most family celebrations. Countless times, that exceptional beverage has been there for me. Since fall is here, I have picked some seasonal beers brewed fresh by local brewers. This season, go find and drink beers that are here today and gone tomorrow.

Seasonal
The first and most obvious choices for fall are the Oktoberfest beers. Although Oktoberfest originated in Munich, Germany, this festival of beer and sausage is celebrated in various locations throughout the world and in our own backyards. These beers often have a bronze, amber color and are accented with a sweet, malty flavor. They’re easy to drink. Both Columbus Brewing Company and Elevator Brewing Company plan on making Oktoberfest beers this year, so check out their styles.

Pumpkin Pie/Pumpkin Ale
I love pumpkin pie, so it’s only logical I love pumpkin beer. For those of you who turn your nose to such an idea—expand your mind, explore new horizons and go for it! Pumpkin Ales fill the senses with wonderful aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon, and these beers are balanced. They have a great body and lovely finish. You’ll find some pumpkin ales to satisfy your craving from breweries such as Blue Moon, Buffalo Bill, and Dogfish Head. But why wait for the bottle when you can drink it straight from the tap? The Elevator Brewing Company and BJ’s Brewhouse are making them fresh.

All Year Round
Finally, if you didn’t already know, Columbus has more than just one brewery. Look inside Interstate 270 and you’ll be pleasantly surprised that we have a plethora of wonderful local brew pubs brewing different styles of beer monthly – all brewed fresh for your palate. Each month is a different style with a different taste, so make it a point to visit your local brewpubs at least once a month. Also, all are planning on brewing some kind of Winter Welcome in November and December, so visit them twice a month, then.

David McMahon is a Certified Sommelier and manages Jason’s in Dublin. He is a contributing writer for Luxury Living Magazine.