The best beers for fall in the Sierra Foothills

OKTOBERFEST IN MUNICH, Germany, attracts more than 6 million people annually who consume 1.5 million gallons of beer. Gastropubs, brewpubs and breweries in our region are all celebrating with seasonal brews and their own Octoberfest celebrations.

Loomis Basin Brewery is holding its 4th annual October-fest on October 17. The festivities include food by Ruffhaus of El Dorado Hills, whose hot dogs include The Wolfsburg Edition (beer-steamed bratwurst, sauerkraut and German mustard); and music by Alpen Band, specializing in German folk music.

Local breweries also are planning special releases for the fall and holidays. Loomis Basin is releasing a Wet Hop Harvest Ale, a beer brewed with fresh hops within hours of harvest. “Consider it the beer-world equivalent of Beaujolais nouveau,” Bon Appetit writes of wet-hop beers.

In December, Loomis Basin will be releasing its famous “Jack Series” Get Back Jack, a whiskey-barrel aged porter. Nevada City-based Three Forks brews Humbug Harvest, a German Oktoberfest lager style brewed with an ale yeast.

“An ale perfect for the river.”

Ol’ Republic Breweryis releasing its first canned beer, from Tahoe to the East Bay and points in between. It is a German-style Kölsch Ale. Ol’ Republic’s version is a bright, straw-colored ale with a refreshing balanced hoppiness. “It’s a light crisp ale, perfect for the river,” says co-owner Jim Harte.

Matteo’s Public in Nevada City offers Sierra Nevada’s Octoberfest as well as the usual rotating styles of ol’ Republic, Three Forks, Allagash Curieux, Auburn Ale House Golddigger IPA and Mammoth 395 IPA.

Jernigan’s Tap House & Grill has 19 beers on tap and Sprecher’s root beer. It has a flat-screen TV for watching the World Series and football games. In Grass Valley, Pete’s Pizza has 16 tap handles, including local craft brews. The beers are listed on a colorful chalkboard.

Casa Las Katarinas’ New Beer
Casa Las Katarinas in Alta Sierra is now offering Stella Artrois on tap. It also offers more than 10 kinds of Mexican bottled beer, from Bohemia to Victoria.

(Photo: Renee Byer, Sacramento Bee/Zuma Wire)