The First Annual Craft Lager Fest Convenes at Lavery Brewing Company

Saturday, Sept. 24

"Oktoberfests, Pilsners and Bocks, oh my!" they say.

"Come celebrate all things lager," they say.

That should be enough to get most any beer lover (hell, even liker) in the mood for what will be a first of its kind, early autumn celebration of craft lager brewing in Erie.

The event features 15 breweries from across Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, with the brewers themselves on hand to pour their finest cold fermented brews at Lavery Brewing Company.

"Craft Lager Fest is a new concept in the beer fest world," says company President Jason D. Lavery. "Participants will get to enjoy traditional lagers," which are cold-fermented beers that were perfected in Germany.

"They are often smooth and balanced, but can have as much flavor as ales," says Lavery. "Craft brewers have tended to brew ales since they tend to be hoppier and easier to brew. [But craft] brewers lately have stepped up their games, and have begun to revisit these delicate, refined lagers."

He says those who go can expect to enjoy pilsners, Oktoberfests, marzens, doppelbocks, weizenbocks, India pale lagers, and plenty of others.

There's a whole Beer Olympics thing happening there, and locally-made sausage and house-made sauerkraut will be available, too.

So there. – Ryan Smith

Noon to 4 p.m. // Tickets $20, available at Lavery Brewing Company, 128 W. 12th St. // LaveryBrewing.com; 454.0405