The Diamond has a lot of special things planned for the fall and it all started on Tuesday night when a cask of Brooklyn Brewery’s BLAST! was tapped.

The blast is one of my favorite beers that Brooklyn Brewery does, and it is a extra pale ale, almost an ipa, but not quite.  Extremely drinkable, and dangerously alcoholic.  It is the middle ground where the pale ale drinker and the ipa lover meet.  On cask this beer is even more delicate with a toned down hop profile…and a silky smooth mouth feel.  An excellent beer for

anytime of the year, but nice and warming at 8.5% abv for these cold days that just arrived…and only $6 a pint!.

Next up is Southern Tiers Pumpking! The ridiculously big imperial pumpkin ale, that graced the Diamond for the presidential debates last year, and will be tapped again tonight or tomorrow…as soon as one of the tap lines runs dry.  The Diamond says that the Pumpking will be around until Thanksgiving so you have plenty of time to try this wonderful seasonal.

These two wonderful beers are paving the way for what I consider the only Oktoberfest party worth attending (well maybe there is another one, but this one kind of seals the deal for me)!

Roth-toberfest is Saturday, 10/10 from 2-6pm…less than 2 weeks away.
What:  combo David Lee Roth’s b-day & Octoberfest Celebration
What:  3 unique wooden barrels of festbier straight from Germany served in the yard
What:  Wear a long blond wig and get your first beer for free
What:  $5 sausage & spaetzle plates brought to you by the fabulous Bob Pickett
What:  DJ’s Herr Mark, Frau Mary, and Diamond David Lee Pollack spin your favorite German Tunes & Van Halen

I hadn’t been to the Diamond in a while, but we stopped by last night for a couple rounds…and got to hang out with Dave.  I’m not going to spoil any surprises, but the “3 unique wooden barrels of festbier straight from Germany served in the yard”  are not to be missed.  From what we heard these are going to be very special brews, and most likely ones you haven’t tried (or at least not in this form).  Mark your calendars…I will be there at 2pm to make sure I get to try all of them.

More details to come on Roth-toberfest as the Diamond releases them!

A little bit of sad news…the Diamond will be going back to winter hours starting Saturday October 17th…they will be openinging at 4pm instead of 2pm on Saturday and Sundays.

Dave also gave clues to some other special kegs that are living in the basement of the Diamond… it is a good time for beer.

Oh Diamond I have missed you, and I won’t stay away that long again.

• Photo by Jenojenny via flickr
• more about the Diamond can be found here.
• previous What Ales You post can be read here.