Fall has a way of making every bite feel intentional. Here in Amherst, we’re pairing that crisp air with even crisper beers and cuts that turn weeknights into feasts. Think beer that hot-rods your roast, schnitty-paced conversations with friends, and a fridge stocked with local magic you can actually pull off tonight. Ready to upgrade your table, your weekend, and your know-how? We’ve got you.

Local Brewery Love

Why chase trends when your own backyard is sparkling with character? Here are favorites you can ask for this week—and a little tasting homework to level up your cellar-and-meal game:

• Takeoff IPA (Flying Butcher exclusive): A juicy New England–style IPA that brings brightness, haze, and a tingle of hops that wake up smoked ribs and our bacon blue burger. Pro tip: tilt your glass toward the light and notice the hazy golden glow—proof of the fun, fresh hops inside.
• Schilling Beer Co. (Littleton, NH): Masters of German styles. Dive in:
  • Jakobus Pilsner: Crisp, bready, refreshing—perfect with bratwurst and sauerkraut; a textbook pairing that teaches your palate how malt and hoppiness cleanly balance fat.
  • Konstantin Märzen: Smooth amber lager, classic Oktoberfest vibes. Great with steak or a hearty stew; a reminder that malty sweetness can carry savory depth.

How to Listen Like a Sommelier

• Taste with intention: notice aroma, carbonation, and how the beer sits on your tongue. Ask yourself which bite it amplifies and which flavors recede.
• Pair as conversation: each bite and sip should “argue” a point—fatty meat + crisp, clean beer; smoky meat + malty richness; bold roast + bright hops. Your dinner becomes a dialogue.

Beer fans, this is your quick campfire guide to level-up nights in, with a local flavor twist:

• Lagers & Pilsners: Clean, crisp, light.
  Best with: roast chicken, bratwurst, simple salads.
  Takeaway: choose a beer that doesn’t overshadow the meat—let the dish lead your beer choice.
• Märzen: Malty, amber, smooth.
  Best with: steaks, stews, Oktoberfest plates.
  Takeaway: use Märzen as a “comfort anchor” when you’re cooking something slow-cooked or richly flavored.
• Ales & IPAs: Fruity, bold, complex.
  Best with: roasts and steaks; IPAs cut through rich BBQ.
  Takeaway: if you’re feeding a crowd, offer both styles to give guests a spectrum of pairing possibilities.
• Stouts: Dark, roasty, chocolatey.
  Best with: hearty pies, stews, slow-braised meats.
  Takeaway: use a stout to elevate dessert accents (chocolate or coffee notes) or to contrast a salty, umami-focused dish.

Dish and Cut | Best Beer Pairings | Why it Works

• Sausages (bratwurst, Italian, kielbasa) | Märzen, Pilsner, Hefeweizen | Malt-to-meat dialogue: Märzen’s malt sweetness meets sausage; Pilsner’s crispness cuts fat and smoke; Hefeweizen adds bright, fruity notes that wake up pork.
• Roasts (beef, lamb, pork) | Amber Ale, Brown Ale, Porter, Stout | Malty caramel depth balances heavy bites; stout’s richness holds its own against big roasts.
• Smoked Meats (BBQ ribs, brisket, smoked chicken) | IPA, Rauchbier | IPA brings hop brightness to smoky flavors; Rauchbier mirrors the smoke with malty backbone.
• Sandwich of the Month | Depends on sandwich | Our team’s playing detective: bring us what you’re whipping up and we’ll tailor the perfect beer sidekick.

How to Protect Your Beer’s Flavor

The beer you choose isn’t just a sidekick—it can make or break the meal. When beer is stored, cooled, and poured right, its flavors stay bright and true. That way it perfectly lifts the meat, cheese, and sauces on the table.

• Right chill, right thrill: 38–45°F (3–7°C) for lagers/pilsners.
• Märzen sweet spot: 40–50°F (4–10°C) to let the malt shine.
• Ales & IPAs: 46–55°F (8–13°C) to unlock fruity esters.
• Stouts & porters: 50–58°F (10–14°C) for chocolatey, coffee depth.
• Temperature shifts = flavor shifts: fridge until 15 min before serving, then let it warm slightly.
• Serving from a keg: keep in a cooler or kegerator ±2–3°F of target.
• Food-first rule: lighter dishes → cooler, bold/fatty dishes → warmer within range.

Start the Party at The Flying Butcher

Head to our shop to grab everything you need for Oktoberfest at home. Our team loves pairing you with the right cuts, the right beers, and the right brats—let us tailor a plan to what you’re cooking tonight.

Stop by The Flying Butcher in Amherst, NH, or order online to grab everything you need for your Oktoberfest celebration.