Late September spells sadness for summer lovers, but for autumn enthusiasts, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. It isn’t all pumpkin flavored treats, loose-fitting sweaters and apple cider donuts, though. In fact, in Germany, mid-September to early October is one of the most festive periods of celebration: Oktoberfest.
The sixteen-day folk festival, dating well back into the 1800s, elicits euphoria from beer drinkers worldwide. In Germany, the commencement of the festival means weeks of music, drinking and merriment.
Even if Munich folkgrounds are Oktoberfest’s homeland, America has long joined in on the act, and few local restaurants do so better than Little Barn.
Starting this weekend, and running for the next month, look for Little Barn drink and food menu specials such as: a giant pretzel with stout mustard; German potato salad and potato pancakes; crispy beer bratwurst on a pretzel bun; butternut squash risotto and more. Last year’s mini pumpkin creamy Parmesan and toasted pine nut risotto was a home run with patrons.
However, Dave Studwell, general manager of Little Barn, speaks more to the treats come in frosty mugs. “During Oktoberfest, we get Founders All-Day IPAs. They’re all very limited and most places can’t even get them if they wanted to.”
Fear not…Little Barn can and does. Even the famed Founders Backwoods Bastard will be available, as well Founders’ Harvest Ale, Breakfast Stout and Redankulous.
Outside of Founders beer, there’s the German beer Radeberger, as well as Goose Island and Thimble Island coffee stouts. Studwell also hints at the possibility of pumpkin mojitos and promises that the universally lauded maple Old Fashioned will be making its annual return.
“I try not to hop on the pumpkin beer bandwagon, but that’s a possibility as well,” Studwell admits.
Either way, undoubtedly, if your appetite for fall is at an all-time high, Little Barn is the place to be.