Germany canceling Oktoberfest had us shook. After all, the festival originated on October 12, 1810. We’ll say that again EIGHTEEN-TEN. And if a 200 year-old festival is taking a year off, then I guess that we can’t complain.
But, if 2020 has taught us nothing else, it’s how to pivot…and pivot we shall! Rather than lamenting over the lack of beer festivals, let’s lace up those boots and take a trek to the many great Downtown Lynchburg breweries and restaurants serving up seasonal selections. We followed a group of friends around downtown as they took part in our Downtown Lynchburg Oktoberfest walking tour. Now it’s your turn!
Whether you complete it in one fell-swoop (like we did - it CAN be done) or spread it out over all thirty-one days in October, these businesses will be happy to have you!
Start the journey in any order you like.
Three Roads Brewing Co
1300 COURT STREET
open Wed & Thurs 3-9pm; Fri 3-11pm; Sat 1-11pm; Sun 1-8pm
WHAT TO DRINK: DRIFTER’S APPLE ALE (APPLE GRAF)
Sweet with a complex side. No, we are not talking about our last significant other. Described to be “as close to cider as a beer can get”, Drifters Apple Ale is a half and half blend of unfermented beer and unfiltered apple cider fermented together. Come to think about it, if that relationship had been this well balanced, we might still be together.
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Starr Hill
1300 MAIN ST
open Mon-thurs 3-9pm; fri 3-10pm; sat 12-10pm; sun 1-8pm
WHAT TO DRINK: STARR HILL LAST LEAF (BROWN ALE)
You had me at “real Virginia maple syrup”. While some people go pumpkin-spice crazy this time of year, there’s no denying this delicious blend of nutty goodness layered with notes of maple and vanilla. Well rounded with a beautiful mahogany color, each sip of this English ale will make you want to close your eyes and and imagine crunching through the fallen leaves.
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{RA} Bistro
1344 Main Street
OPEN MON - THURS 12-9PM; FRI & SAT 12-10PM; SUN 11AM-8PM
WHAT TO DRINK: SAM ADAMS OKTOBERFEST
Don’t discount this Boston classic. The folks at Sam Adams know how to make a märzen that is meant to fill your stein. Smooth with a roasty sweetness and light hop character, this one pair well with pretzels and college football. So go ahead and order a salted caramel brownie topped with vanilla ice cream rolled in crushed pretzels while you are at it. You won’t regret it!
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Waterstone pizza
1309 Jefferson Street
OPEN sun - thurs 11:30am-9pm, fri & sat 11:30am-10pm
WHAT TO DRINK: ACE SPACE BLOODY ORANGE CIDER
Who’s ready for a palate cleanser? Unfiltered and vividly orange, you don’t have to be a vampire to enjoy the delightful tartness of spACE Bloody Orange Cider. Better yet, you can one-up Dracula and sit out in the sunshine of Waterstone’s massive beer garden and enjoy live music every weekend.
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The Water Dog
1016 Jefferson Street
OPEN TUES - Thurs 11:30AM-10PM; Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun 11am-10pm
WHAT TO DRINK: ANYTHING FROM THEIR ROTATING TAPS
It’s tough to peg down just one brew when you have 40 taps from which to choose. However, we hear that you can look forward to beers like München On Hops, a Bavarian IPA collaboration between Devil’s Backbone and Spaten (the granddaddy of all Oktoberfest breweries) and Starr Hill’s Festie. Whichever tickles your fancy, we recommend stopping in often to try something new - or ordering a crowler to-go! Click here to see the draft list.
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The Depot Grille
10 Ninth Street
OPEN MON - THURS 11AM-10PM; FRI & SAT 11AM-11PM; SUN 11AM-9PM
WHAT TO DRINK: BLUE MOUNTAIN BREWERY 13.FIVE OKTOBERFEST
Blue Mountain Brewery isn’t joking around in the creation of this “festbier.” Not only do they use Munich, Vienna, and German pilsner malt and hop it exclusively with Hallertau variety hops, they ensure that it meets the Stammürze Law - stating that a beer must have an original gravity of 13.5° plato to be served at Oktoberfest in Munich. Daaaaang. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be as intense to drink it as Blue Mountain is to brew it. Prost!
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Bootleggers
50 13th Street on the Bluffwalk
OPEN WED & THURS 4:30-9PM; FRI 4:30-10PM; SAT 11AM-10PM; SUN 11AM-9PM
WHAT TO DRINK: PAULANER OKTOBERFEST
Billed as “the one that started it all,” this amber-colored beer was developed over 200 years ago. One of only six beers poured at THE Oktoberfest in Munich, their lager is pretty much a part of German life. In the spirit of social distancing, the good people at Paulaner have put together everything you need to celebrate this season-of-beer at home! Click here for decorations, Spotify playlists, and even Zoom backgrounds.
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Shoemakers American grille
1312 Commerce Street
OPEN wed - sat 5-9PM
WHAT TO DRINK: VOODOO RANGER ATOMIC PUMPKIN
In case you are starting to tire of Oktoberfest, it’s time to try the special spicy edition of a pumpkin ale from Voodoo Ranger. It may smell of cinnamon and cloves, but don’t let that fool you - the Habanero, Aji and Del Arbol peppers will leave you with a warmth unmatched by any firepit you could find.
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Skyline
712 CHURCH STREET - ROOFTOP OF THE VIRGINIAN
OPEN TUES - THURS 4-9PM; FRI & SAT 4-9PM
WHAT TO DRINK: BEALE’S OKTOBERFEST
Beale’s might be known for their Gold, but don’t discount their Oktoberfest. Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients, it’s the perfect transition from the dog days of summer into the cooler temperatures ahead. With notes of caramel and toast, expect a smooth finish with a side of tradition. Not to mention, we’re partial to a beer with a view.
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Gilded
1103 CHURCH STREET
OPEN MON - SAT 10AM-7PM; SUN 10AM-3PM
WHAT TO DRINK: PUMPKINS IN A BOTTLE
LET’S. TALK. ABOUT. PUMPKINS. Sure, you can put anything in your build-your-own six pack at Gilded, but why not stock it with Fall’s favorite gourd? Be sure to grab an Ace Pumpkin Cider, Buffalo Bills Black Pumpkin Oatmeal Stout, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Pumpkin Ale, and a Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale. That leaves TWO spots for whatever else you fancy. Plus, if you are feeling especially anti-social, you could even purchase online for curbside pickup.
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