Houston’s Under-the-Radar Oktoberfest Guide: The 5 Special Beers You Need to be Drinking

Oh, October. We’re falling for autumn, throwing on scarves, daring to drink hot coffee and even taking long walks. But there’s so much more to October than you can find on an Instagram feed or Pinterest board. The major thing?

October is underrated as one of the most holiday-packed months of the year. We all know about Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. But people just don’t give enough credence to Oktoberfest.

The entire month of October is essentially a sip sip hooray to beer, and Space City is going ale out. There are some lager than life celebrations, but you don’t have to get all dolled up in lederhosen to enjoy an ice cold beer.

Instead, you could head on over to one of Houston’s fantastic local breweries and try their special fall offerings and favorite beers of the moment. With these new lineups, you won’t be feeling any deja brew.

These five breweries have raised the bar on October. These are Houston’s best October beer havens

So, go ahead. You know you’ll give in and go schooner or later. Just try to fight back the cheers.

Under the Radar — Slam Dunkel

This autumnal Dunkelweisse is the perfect way to welcome the cooler weather. The dark caramel malts with hints of chocolate and coffee combined with a spicy Bavarian yeast make for a perfect, satisfying sip every time. There’s no better way to kick off the Houston Rockets season.

City Acre — Vigo’s Hook

Vigo’s Hook is hearty, coming in at 11 percent alcohol. This coconut-meets-vanilla imperial stout hits all the right notes of boozy, sweet, aromatic and complex. One sip, and you’ll be hooked on Vigo’s Hook.

Sigma Brewing — Brother Seamus

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Sigma Brewing, of course.

Brother Seamus is a shake-style IPA brewed with tons and tons of Galaxy, Mosaic, Citra and Eukanot hops for a nice blended flavor. Then it’s fermented with milk sugar, pineapple, passionfruit and the exotic pink guava. Beer’s looking at you.

Holler Brewing — Houston Triple Craft

Three’s the magic number. This smoked coffee Marzen was brewed in collaboration with Greenway Coffee and Feges Barbecue. That kind of collaboration can’t go wrong.

It’s a truly unique and surprisingly drinkable lager with a rich, chocolatey espresso aroma and a complex malty flavor with a hunt of vanilla, and a smoky, crisp finish.

Spindletap Brewery — Haunted Haze

This limited release brew was simply made for Halloween. This spooky beer will be released one time only, so get on your costume and get cracking. Haunted Haze is a Double iPA — meaning more hops than ever — brewed with tasty, seasonal treats like blood orange, black currant and even candy corn.

That’s one way to trick or treat.