Weekend Tap and Event Update: Soaring Ridge at First Friday’s, A New Beer at Parkway Brewing, and Start Digging Out Those Lederhosen.

As I stood and looked at stacks of pumpkin beers earlier today, still plentiful even at local grocery stores, I knew my household’s yearly pumpkin beer blind tasting was safe. Yes, I just might make it to fall before imbibing too many of those spiced ales and lagers yet.

Yep, the pumpkin beers can wait just a couple more days.

Making it easier to put them off is a forecast that looks like the rain may just move on at some point mid afternoon for Roanoke, and there are plenty of other ways to enjoy some great craft beer tonight and this weekend, beginning with tonight’s First Friday’s at Five. Tonight, the popular end-of-the-work-week, downtown Roanoke gathering will feature beers from Roanoke’s Soaring Ridge Craft Brewers, including their Virginia Creeper Pale Ale, Trail Head Brown Ale, and Berry White Witbier style ale.

Callaway’s Chaos Mountain Brewing will be celebrating International Talk Like A Pirate Day at their location this evening, and those who come dressed for the occasion are automatically entered in a raffle to win gear from the brewery.

Of course, this weekend is also the first full weekend Roanoke’s newest brewery, Big Lick Brewing, will be open. Cheers to Bryan and his family and team, who have all worked tirelessly to open.

And even though I might not be completely ready for pumpkin beers, I could always make an exception for a new local beer, since that’s always worth noting. Parkway Brewing is officially debuting their “Seeing Colors” Pumpkin seasonal this weekend.

Truly looking ahead to fall, here are a couple of Oktoberfest themed celebrations in Roanoke to take note of. Martin’s Downtown Grille will hold their annual two day Oktoberfest block party October 10^th and 11^th. Big Lick Entertainment’s Big Lick Oktoberfest event, a “Celebration of German Beer and Brats”, will be held on the 25^th, at the Wells Fargo Plaza near the City Market Building.