Beer Festivals, Oktoberfests And Fall Brew Gatherings In Connecticut

Fall’s chill signals the return of stouts, porters, Oktoberfest lagers and – whether you love or hate them – pumpkin-flavored brews. It’s now high season for local beer festivals, with plenty of events between now and mid-October.

>>The Mark Twain House‘s annual “Tapping into Twain” event Friday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m. features more than 20 regional breweries and home brewers, plus food from several local restaurants. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door ($40 for MTH&M members.) Designated driver tickets are $20. Prices include all food, beverage and a collectible pint glass. The Mark Twain House is at 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. Information and tickets: 860-280-3130 and marktwainhouse.org.

>>Two Roads Brewing Company, 1700 Stratford Ave., Stratford, hosts its Ok2berfest Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, from noon to 6:30 p.m. each day. The event features food trucks and live music. The $15 admission fee includes an authentic German stein. Beer tickets are $5 apiece and must be purchased with cash (limit of four tickets). Attendees must be 21-plus; no minors or animals are permitted. Information: 203-335-2010 and tworoadsbrewing.com.

>>The annual Sun BrewFest returns to Mohegan Sun Oct. 4 and 5, with tasting sessions on Saturday afternoon and a special BrewBrunch Sunday morning. Tickets to the Saturday sessions are $25 each; the first session runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the second session runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Sunday brunch features Goose Island beer and Absolut Bloody Mary cocktails, with beer-infused food items. Tickets are $60, including all food and drink. For more information, visit sunbrewfest.com.

>>Broad Brook Brewing, 2 North Road, East Windsor, hosts a one-year anniversary party open house Oct. 4 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. The event includes tours of the brewery, free samples and food for purchase. Information: 860-623-1000 and broadbrookbrewing.com.

>>Chili reunites with its good friend beer at the Smoke in the Valley Craft Beer & Chili Festival in Seymour Oct. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. More than 100 breweries are expected at the event, along with dozens of chili competitors in two divisions, including restaurant entrants. Proceeds will benefit Seymour Youth Sports programs and Seymour Fire and EMS Companies. Information: 203-437-1009 and smokeinthevalley.com.

>>The inaugural Connecticut Brewers Fest at Two Roads Brewing in Stratford Oct. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., gathers more than 20 state breweries under one roof. Food trucks Lobstercraft, Local Meatball and Bounty Burger will park on site. Tickets are $25 and include 3-ounce pours of beers; all proceeds benefit the CT Beer Guild. Information: 203-335-2010 and tworoadsbrewing.com.

>>The Rotary Club of New London presents Brewfest at the Beach at Ocean Beach Park Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event features tastings of more than 150 beers. Cost is $25; proceeds benefit Camp Rotary, a nonprofit camp for New London students. Information: newlondonrotary.org.

>>The CPTV Craft Beer and Chili Challenge on Oct. 11 at Hartford’s Old State House features tastings of more than 100 local beer and chili recipes. Guests will vote on their favorites in more than a dozen different categories. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door and $20 for designated drivers. A $45 “brew crew” ticket includes early admission for reserve tastings and an interactive experience with a local brewmaster. Early entry beings at 2 p.m.; general admission is at 3 p.m. Information: beerandchili.org.

>>The Hoptoberfest 2014 Beer and Wing Festival at Shelton’s Riverwalk Oct. 11 features more than 80 craft brews and wings from local restaurants, with guests voting for “King of the Wing.” A $25 ticket purchased in advance includes beer and wings. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Information: facebook.com/SheltonHoptoberfest.

>>Cottrell Brewery, 100 Mechanic St., Pawcatuck, hosts its 4^th annual Oktoberfest Oct. 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. The party includes free beer tastings, live music and food for purchase from Munchies Food Truck. Information: 860-599-8213 and cottrellbrewing.com.

>>Max Restaurant Group hosts its first annual Hoptoberfest at Rosedale Farms & Vineyards in Simsbury Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event features beer from more than 30 breweries and food sampling, with additional food available for purchase. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door (if not sold out.) A portion of the ticket price will be donated to the CT Farmland Trust. Guests must be 21 or older. Information: maxrestaurantgroup.com.