Oktoberfestin - South Florida Style...

"We don't need no, education.." was played 

I was thrilled to find a real Oktoberfest in South Florida! The German American Society of Greater Hollywood, is housed in a cute replica of a real German building, sitting in a random residential neighborhood, off of 69th Ave. and Pembroke Rd. My mom and I went, unsure what to expect. We thought we may have a German beer, then be on our way. Boy, were we wrong. We arrived soon after the doors opened, and almost closed the place down. I'll preface the details with me mentioning to my mom, I was going to blog about it. She shot me a look like, "Not all of it right?" Right. It was one of those nights where we checked our phones the next morning, piecing some of the night back together... 

I'm going back for more

As we were greeted with temporary membership cards by warm members in German attire, the smell of authentic German food wafted through the air. We made a beeline to the full service bar, and I purchased a German beer mug for $15, with refills for only $5 all night long. We both had the Hofbrau Oktoberfest. It's a Marzen style, Oktoberfest, with a 6.3% ABV. It's a beautiful straw color, malty and crisp. 

Beads were involved

A one man accordion band got people on the dance floor immediately. He played German songs, and even belted out Pink Floyd at one point! We watched German dancers perform, while we ate savory sausages, German potato salad, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. We happened to sit at the table with the star of a local car show. All I'll say, is there were pitchers of beer involved, and shots of Jäger brought over by the gracious, accommodating and friendly President of the Club. We all felt like family, the vibe was positive and welcoming; it was just a fun night, with people wanting to have fun! I met some new friends, including one who looked like Adam Levine. We ended up dancing to a bunch of stuff, not limited to: German songs, the Chicken Dance, and the Tootsie Roll.. So random, yet such a great time. 

 

Craft beer, no. However, Germany has been making beer a lot longer than we have, and it's good quality beer. With me being part German, and this in my backyard, going was a no brainer. They have two more: Saturday, 10/11/14 and Saturday, 10/25/14. I think it would be more fun with a large group. The more the merrier! Maybe I'll see you there.

 

While we're talking Oktoberfest, can we chat about Left Hand Brewing's Oktoberfest Marzen Lager? Wow, this is a good one. It tastes clean, fresh, and malty - coming in at 6.6%. There are bready undertones, slightly creamy and toasty. If you're an Oktoberfest beer fan, I'd recommend this one.

Prost!

Out and About in South Florida (Including Trips to my Beer Fridge)

If you haven't checked out Brass Tap Coral Springs, you should go. Especially when they have 'School of Rock' child students performing for the craft beer loving patrons! I hear you - why are kids at Brass Tap? Well, it's because they're bad ass! If you didn't see them, you'd swear a bunch of grown folk were up there strumming, banging and belting out "Roxanne"! 

The band was amazing, and so were our flights:

Pyramid Weiss Cream Wheat Ale
Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout
Stone Sprocket Bier
Shiner Ruby Redbird
Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Stout
Southern Tier Choklat Stout
Delirium Tremens
Ommegang Abbey Ale

I loved all of them except the Shiner Ruby Redbird. There was grapefruit prominent on the first sip, and ginger thereafter. It's a good quality beer, but not my thing. 



Have you poured hard? If you haven't, you should try. All you need is a Left Hand Brewing bottled Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Nitro, or in my case, a Wake Up Dead Nitro. It is so deliciously good: hints of molasses, and fruit cake whisked into a creamy stout. Your supposed to open the bottle, and pour hard into a glass. It won't overflow, and anything new to try with beer, is fun to me! Google it! You'll see. There are videos of hard core pourers, especially one of my favorite Instagrammers: Morganannezamora. She sets the standard on pouring hard. You should check her out, then go try it!

 

Smooth beer. New vocab word. Bonus creepy Guinness statue

Good ol' Riverside Market never disappoints. Especially when they have Founder's Curmudgean: (Ale brewed with molasses and oak aged), Crabbie's Ginger Beer, and Lagunitas Cappucino Stout on tap! Their fish tacos and Rueben were scrumptious compliments to the beers. The vibe in this place is the best. After living in Key West for 12 years, I appreciate anywhere that takes me back to that casual, cool and laid back atmosphere. You can tell how "known" it's become because it's always packed, but they always take great care of everyone, and it's one of my favorite places in South Florida. 







The last two memorable beers I'll mention are Founders KBS (courtesy of a wonderful trade), and Courage Imperial Russian Stout. KBS was savored down to the last sip. I literally didn't want the chocolate, coffee, bourbon barrel aged goodness to end. 

Courage, was originally brewed for Catherine the Great of Russia in 1795. OK! Anything suitable for her, shall be suitable for me. It was smooth, lightly boozy and just enough sweetness. You can age it up to 13 years! I will be going back for more!