Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association’s American craft beer ambassador for Europe, looks ahead to three exciting occasions for American craft beer this month
Photograph: Brewers Association
There’s plenty for beer lovers to celebrate this month with Oktoberfest in full swing, followed by National Curry Week and Hallowe’en at the end. Each occasion provides a good reason to explore a different American craft beer style.
Oktoberfest
The historic Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, is the world’s largest beer festival, attracting around 6.5 to 7 million visitors. They make their way through approximately 6.5 to 7 million litres of beer over the two-week period!
Originating in 1810 with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, what began as a royal wedding celebration has since inspired similar festivals around the world, And here in the UK, Oktoberfest celebrations are well under way.
German-style Festbier is traditionally associated with Oktoberfest and is a smooth, clean lager, combining a malty sweetness with a light hop character and a crisp, refreshing finish. Typically around 5.8 to 6.3% ABV, it’s stronger than a Helles but less intense and toasty than a Marzen.
Try: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest, a collaboration with Bavarian brewery Hoppebräeu, has a lightly dry-hopped floral character, balanced by biscuity malt flavours.
National Curry Week
Photograph: Brewers Association
National Curry Week takes place from 5th-11th October, and what could be a better partner for one of the nation’s favourite cuisines than American craft beer? Rather than automatically reaching for a standard lager, why not choose a beer that complements the flavour and intensity of the dish? A hot, fiery curry, such as Madras or vindaloo, needs an equally bold, flavoursome beer to stand up to it, such as an American IPA.
Try: Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, a hop-forward example of the style, bursting with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from Citra and Mosaic hops that will complement the heat and spice of the curry without overpowering it. For milder curries, such as a korma or tikka masala, a lighter, more aromatic beer can work beautifully such as Allagash White, a classic award-winning Belgian-style witbier, brewed with oats and malted wheat for a hazy appearance and smooth mouthfeel. A special blend of coriander and Curaçao orange peel gives hints of orange, lemon, black pepper and coriander that balance the gentle spice of a milder curry.
Hallowe’en
And at the end of the month, don’t miss Hallowe’en. Now a huge celebration in the States, Hallowe’en traces its roots back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Over time it has evolved from a pagan tradition to the largely non-religious celebration we know today, involving parties, scary costumes, spooky house decorations, trick or treating, pumpkin carving and much more.
It took off in the States around the mid-19th century when large numbers of immigrants, particularly from Ireland, came to the USA, bringing their Hallowe’en customs with them. Since then it has become one of the holiday highlights of the year, and American craft brewers have embraced the Hallowe’en theme by releasing seasonal pumpkin beers. These new-to-the-UK examples are ideal for scary celebrations!
Try: Nightshift Pumpkin Piescraper, a 7% ABV pumpkin pie ale brewed with real pumpkin, warming spices and a touch of sweetness. Or Wormtown Fresh Patch, a 4.6% ABV pumpkin ale using hundreds of pounds of local pumpkins blended with a secret spice recipe, giving flavours of pumpkin and spice in every sip.
And finally…
If none of the above appeals to you, as the nights draw in and temperatures drop, kick back with a rich and roasty stout.
Try: Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro is a 6% ABV, smooth, creamy nitro stout, with flavours of roasted coffee, milk chocolate, brown sugar, and vanilla cream. Dark and delicious!
The above American craft beers are available from Sierra Nevada UK, Waitrose, Beer Merchants.com, Brew Export, and Beers of Europe, but be quick, seasonal beers don’t hang around!
Calling All Brewers
Registration for the World Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer and cider competition in the world, opens in November. Developed in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing, this global competition continues to create greater consumer awareness about different beer and cider styles and flavour profiles, while promoting international brewing excellence. Winners are announced at the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, 7th April, 2027. See worldbeercup.org for further details.
The UK remains an important market for American craft beer exports and the third largest in the world, accounting for 8.2% of all global exports. Free downloadable resources to help you enjoy and understand American craft beer are available at brewersassociation.org and craftbeer.com.
About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 5,600-plus US breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organises events including the World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Festival, Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, and American Craft Beer Week. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
About the author
Lotte Peplow is the American craft beer ambassador for Europe for the Brewers Association and is based in London. She is a certified cicerone, BDI-accredited beer sommelier, beer writer, author, beer communicator, international beer judge, homebrewer, and beer lover.
