IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, BEER GEEK!

It’s that time again. A chill is creeping into the air, as our minds retreat toward hearty brews and the warmth of a good beer buzz. For some, harvest comes to mind: seasonal veggies, savory spices and Pumpkin Ales … even though they often get a bad rap due to shoddy examples in the market. But thankfully, there’s hope—yes, beer geeks, for the third year in a row, this October 30th from 4pm to 1am, it’s the return of Cambridge Brewing Company’s Great Pumpkin Fest.

For the uninitiated, we’re talking about eight CBC house Pumpkin Ales, including their legendary Great Pumpkin Ale, plus over 22 guest pumpkin-infused brews. These are not over-spiced ales sold as Pumpkin Ales—this is the real deal. We’re talking some of the best and most creative Pumpkin Ales on the planet.

How does a Pumpkin Saison with curry sound? Sour Pumpkin Ale? Pumpkin Barleywine? Strong Pumpkin Ale aged in rum barrels? They’ll all be there, plus CBC’s “monks” to conduct the “Ceremonial Tapping of the Great Pumpkin.” It’s basically a 150-pound giant-ass pumpkin, hollowed out, filled with CBC’s Great Pumpkin Ale and re-fermented. A pumpkin cask, if you will, shared with everyone in attendance.

And if the beers aren’t enough to pull you in, CBC will be serving up a slew of pumpkin-infused dishes to pair with this epic evening of gourd-based libations, like: local honey glazed pumpkin and celery root timbale, Pumpkin Ale- and honey-glazed Long Island duck breast, and Punjabi Pumpkin Ale-steamed native whole lobsters. And on top of all of this, CBC will be transformed into a haunted farm; costumes are encouraged, but not required.

It’s $10 at the door, and you get a fest glass and a map to the fest, which is being held at the brewpub and beer garden. Drink tickets can then be purchased and used for 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 12-ounce or full 16-ounce pours at the multiple beer stations.

We’ve been to past years’ Pumpkin Fests. Our advice is to get there early and start with 4-ounce pours. That way you can beat the crowd, try more beers and then ease into larger pours as the evening progresses and you figure out what you like. Eat food. Drink water. Repeat.

[Cambridge Brewing Company's Great Pumpkin Fest. Sat 10.31.10. One Kendall Square, Cambridge. 617.494.1994. 4pm-1am/21+/$10 plus cash bar. cambridgebrewingcompany.com]

Respect Beer. BeerAdvocate.com

Beer Alerts!

Northwest Fest Kickoff

Oct 20th

Redbones salutes breweries of the Northwest through November, and tonight kicks off their tribute. Ten Rogue beers (Oregon, check) and six Pike beers (Washington, check), plus four casks and free apps, which aren’t a Northwest thing so much as it is an awesome Somerville thing.

[Redbones Barbeque, Davis Sq., Somerville. 617.628.2200. 5pm-7pm/21+/cash bar. redbones.com]

Clown Shoes Tasting

Oct 20th

Head to West Roxbury’s Blanchard’s to sample Clown Shoes beers like Clementine, Black IPA, Brown Angel and the new Eagle Claw Fist, while pros from The Rox diner whip up braised shortrib sliders with autumn potato salad and half sours right in front of you.

[Blanchard's Liquor, 418 La Grange St., West Roxbury. 617.327.1400. 7pm-8:30pm/21+/$15. blanchardsliquor.com]