The beer geek

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE About a decade ago, Capital Brewery’s brewmaster Kirby Nelson was photographed for the local newspaper in Middleton, Wisconsin, holding a pint of his Oktoberfest beer. The caption, referring to the brew’s auburn hue, called it a glass of “autumnal fire.” Nelson liked the phrase so much, he created a new beer just so it could bear the name. The limited-release seasonal Autumnal Fire is a doppelbock (“double bock”), a classic German lager style, which means that its strength has been boosted to around 8 percent (for comparison, a Budweiser is about 5 percent). It’s perfect for fall, not overly malty but toasty, with a caramel aroma and touch of tang to cut through the cinnamon undertones. Nelson calls it “a doppelbock with an Oktoberfest personality.” We call it sayonara summer.

Try it: for $4 a 12oz draft at The Map Room (1949 N Hoyne Ave between Homer St and Armitage Ave, 773-252-7636)

Buy it: for $8.99 a six-pack at Warehouse Liquors (634 S Wabash Ave between Harrison St and Balbo Dr, 312-663-1850)