Derryberry: Check out the variety of Oktoberfest brews this month

As a college student, I know the size of my wallet and the span of my food menus. Sure, some nights I’ll splurge and eat out, but most of the time I’m stocking up on Ramen noodles or waiting for a Dillons employee to mark down the rotisserie chickens, which is around 7:30 every night in case you were wondering. It’s all right though; I understand my tight budget, and it makes me much more thankful when I go home and enjoy my parents’ cooking. But despite my lightweight wallet and microwave meals, a purchase that always seems to make the cut is beer.

Now, I’m no stranger to the lower ends of this beverage, and very often I will go for quantity over quality (here’s looking at you, Keystone), but there is much to be said about a six-pack of a good microbrew. The variety of tastes can match just about any palate. The dedication put in by brewers makes it a work of art worth admiring, and most importantly, it signals a change in season for many. For me, fall started with that first six-pack of Oktoberfest.

The German celebration of beer is a beautiful one and has inspired a huge market for big and small brewers across the nation. Whether you’re looking local with Free State or Boulevard, or more well-known with Sam Adams, most major microbrewers have an Oktoberfest beer of some sort. I’ve been dabbling in these purchases since late September, but what I was really looking forward to was Lawrence’s own Oktoberfest celebration. Unfortunately, unlike the Germans’ 16-day festival, Lawrence’s was confined to a single evening, which happened to be last Saturday and also happened to be a day I worked.

Needless to say, I drowned my sorrows in a six-pack later that night, but even the power of the great Sam Adams couldn’t make me forget about the missed opportunity.

Fortunately for me and all other 21+ brew enthusiasts, we have a second chance at beer and bratwurst heaven. Frank’s North Star Tavern, 508 Locust St., is hosting their first annual Oktoberfest this Friday. There’s the promise of lots of beer, polka music and pork products starting at 6 p.m., so stop by North Lawrence for a change of venue and culture. Now, I won’t lie. I’ve never been and have only rarely heard of Frank’s Tavern, and based on its location, you may not have either. But in my research, I’ve found that it seems like quite the awesome locale. The couch-filled bar only recently opened its doors in 2012 but has gotten some pretty good reviews. They also host movie nights every Monday, so that’s definitely getting marked on my calendar soon. Their Facebook page also mentions an “Android Dungeon,” and although I have no idea what that means, it sounds really cool.

So if you’re of age and willing to try some new brew, join me in celebration of the only people who drink as much beer as my Irish ancestors. Danke Deutschland!

• Updated Oct. 11, 2012 at 12:39 am
• Edited by Megan Hinman