CHICAGO — It’s that time of year when the foliage starts to change—and in the mythical Burnt City, Oktober-Rex, a mechanical creature with a festive alpine hat and a large stein, tromps through the ruins in search of a party. Back in modern-day Chicago, fall seasonal beer fans can find Oktober-Rex on the newest can from Burnt City Brewing, Oktoberfest Lager, at restaurants, bars, and retailers in the Chicagoland area.
“We’ve been making and fine-tuning this beer at the brewpub for the past five years, and it’s the first time we’re canning it,” Burnt City Co-Founding Brewer Ben Saller says. “Oktoberfest is our favorite time of year to party hard, and we wanted the packaging to have a festive vibe. Also, we have a thing for dinosaurs.”
Oktoberfest Lager (5.3% ABV)
Burnt City’s Oktoberfest Märzen celebrates the wonderful German tradition as respectfully as possible. Using all German malt and hops makes this one flavorful, quaffable amber lager. Malt notes are prominent, but the beer finishes dry. Hop character is subtle, adding a gentle floral aroma.
Burnt City Oktoberfest Lager is available in six-packs of 12-ounce cans ($9.99 suggested retail), as well as 1/2 BBL and 1/6 BBL kegs. Burnt City’s current distribution area includes Chicagoland, Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana, and Alabama. For more information on Burnt City, visit www.burntcitybrewing.com.
Burnt City Oktoberfest Upcoming Events
Beginning this week, Burnt City hosts several special events to celebrate the seasonal beer release throughout the greater Chicago area. Co-Founding Brewer John Saller says, “Oktoberfest is about having a good time. Our events offer people the chance to celebrate all the way into October. And by celebrate, we mean drink liter steins of Oktoberfest and eat too much sausage.”
Events include:
- Thursday, Sept. 8: Bitter Pops (3345 N. Lincoln Ave. #102; 773.857.7677) official release party of Oktoberfest Lager in cans, with stein raffle and t-shirt giveaway, as well as Oktoberfest on draft and in cans for purchase, 6-8 p.m.; Facebook event link
- Saturday, Sept. 17: Burnt City Brewpub (2747 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773.295.1270) Oktoberfest with stein specials and German cuisine, noon-close; Facebook event link
- Friday, Sept. 30: The Radler (2375 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773.276.0276) an Oktoberfest celebration featuring Burnt City; more details forthcoming
- Saturday, Oct. 1: Burnt City Brewing (2747 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773.295.1270) hangover brunch with stein specials, breakfast menu, and cocktails, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Facebook event link.
About:
Burnt City Brewing crafts nuanced beer for Chicago and beyond, celebrating in every pint the spirit of perseverance that is so deeply rooted in the city’s history. Founding Brewers John and Ben Saller create inventive year-round offerings, seasonals, and special releases with an emphasis on quality ingredients. Burnt City Brewing cans beer out of its production facility (825 E. 99th St.; 773.360.5233) in the Pullman neighborhood on the South Side and workshops new ideas at the brewpub and bowling alley (2747 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-295-1270) in the heart of Lincoln Park. Hours for the brewpub and bowling alley are Monday-Thursday 5-11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-2 a.m. (bowling 5 p.m.-2 a.m.), and Sunday 12 p.m.-11 p.m. (bowling 5-11 p.m.). For more information on the brewery and its distribution, visit www.burntcitybrewing.com, and follow on Twitter and Instagram.