Welcome back everyone! This is a new start for the Sun Star: a beer review. From my recollection, nothing like this has been tried. My goal is to bring good taste and good times back to the beer that you and I drink.

I will be reviewing brews across the state, nation and world.  I hope to rate these brews in a way that anyone new to beer tasting will understand and be able to apply themselves.  This task is a hard one, but one that must be done.

With this article, I'll be reporting on what I taste at the Pub to see what new brews they have in store. Along with these reviews, I will give a pick of the week and a look at "What's on Tap @ the Pub."

So let's get started. With October among us, what's on the minds of avid beer drinkers and connoisseurs? Yes, you guessed right, Oktoberfest. This festival goes back nearly 200 years to a little place in Germany called Munich.  It all started in 1810 to honor the marriage of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival lasted from October 12-17, ending in a grand horse race.

But times have changed! The festival is now held in September to utilize the warmer weather conditions. This makes Oktoberfest available to warmer nights and outside festivities throughout the many garden pub tents.

The ritual of Oktoberfest has traveled from Munich all the way to Fox, Alaska. Silvergulch Brewery has an excellent Oktoberfest brew offered at local bars and at the UAF Pub.  You can also pick up a pony-keg of your own.

Visually, the brew is orange/amber in color with a light foam stand and thin texture. It has a very sweet "first taste" with a dry finish. The sweet taste is brought about by the particular malts used in the brewing process. The Oktoberfest uses all Belgian malts.  This brew is a great beer to drink having its original flavors from Germany.

Recently brought to my attention, there will be a great beer tasting offered at The Pub next week. "The First Annual Breweries of Alaska Beer Tasting and Festival" is Saturday, October 9th. Tickets are on sale at the Pub for $18. Brew houses from across the state (such as Alaskan Brewing, Moose's Tooth, Kodiak Island Brewing and many more) will be available.

Also, Oktoberfest at the Pub is scheduled for October 19th. Free German Bratworst, potato salad, and four Oktoberfest beers (Silvergulch, Alaskan Brewing, Paulaner and Spaten) will be offered. 

What's on tap @ the Pub:

Alaskan: Summer, Stout, Amber, and ESB

Silvergulch: Oktoberfest, Fairbanks Lager, and Old 55

Glacier BrewHouse: IPA and Blonde

Killians Red

Pabst Blue Ribbon

Guinness

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