There’s a shift happening at Blackbird. Maybe it’s the first hint of cooler air creeping into the evenings, or maybe it’s what’s happening inside the tanks as our beer lineup starts making its turn toward fall. Either way, September feels like the start of something. This month sits right in that sweet spot between seasons, bringing cooler nights, fresh releases, and the unmistakable signs that Oktoberfest is just around the corner. The brewery calendar is picking up steam, and some of our favorite traditions are about to make their return. At Blackbird, we’re embracing what we’ve come to call our favorite month.
First Pours of Fall
September brings a welcome change of pace to the Blackbird beer menu. It marks the beginning of one of our favorite shifts in the lineup, as brighter summer pours start making room for the rich tradition of our Oktoberfest releases and the flavors we look forward to brewing all year. German styles have always held a special place in our brewhouse, and this month the taps will begin to show it. Consider this the first taste of what’s brewing for fall.
The steins are waiting, and the beer is almost ready. Our German releases are beginning to roll out just in time for Oktoberfest season, and there’s plenty to look forward to in the tanks.
Tuxedo at a Pool Party German Pilsner – 5.7% ABV
The German releases have already begun with the return of our favorite German Pilsner. Some say it’s always better to be overdressed, but who cares as long as you’re enjoying a beer in a pool. Dress your best, we won’t judge either way. Our pilsners are special beers that require extra steps and know-how on the brewhouse with extended maturation in the cellar. German malt is step mashed then hopped with Hallertau Mittelfrüh and Saphir. Naturally carbonated and lagered in horizontal tanks. Perfect for the most formal and informal parties.
Pouring Now!
Blackbird Kölsch – 4.5% ABV
The classic light and crisp German ale. Drinks like a lager, but with unique stone fruit, salt cracker, and chalky aromas you only find in Kölsch. A special selection of malt and hops we don’t share with our other beers, a special yeast strain, tricky alkaline water profile, and 3 weeks cold conditioning to settle into its personality makes this a one of a kind beer style we can’t get enough of.
Pouring Now!
The Rhine Altbier / Amber Ale – 5.5% ABV
Named after the river that is home to Düsseldorf, Germany, where the Altbier was born. Brewed with large portions of Munich malt, a touch of crystal malt, noble German hops, and fermented cool with neutral ale yeast. This malty libation is a smooth, balanced, no-frills amber beer!
Pouring Now!
Perry’s Epiphany Hefeweizen – 4.5% ABV
Classic German style wheat beer. 50% of this beer is made from wheat grown at Perry Family Farm in Rolesville four miles from the brewery and malted at Epiphany Craft Malt in Durham. Brewed the hard way, this Hefeweizen went through five mash steps including two decoctions to get every bit of character these malts have to offer. Naturally carbonated and unfiltered.
Pouring Now!
Rauchinator Smoked Doppelbock
We first released our Rauchinator all the way back in 2023 prior to Oktoberfest season that year. The brew coincidently happened to be still pouring on tap in time for our celebration during our first annual Oktoberfest. Last year, so many people approached Ian while he was manning the Stick & Poke Beer station that he pulled out his brew calendar and added it to our 2026 schedule then and there. Expect Rauchbier level smoke, but balanced, drinkable, and delicious. “If you don’t like smoke, we don’t like you.” – Ian VanGundy.
Oktoberfest Release!
Blackbird Festbier
It wouldn’t be a true Blackbird Oktoberfest without our Blackbird Festbier. We’ve created another enticing rendition of the classic German staple we all crave during the season. Lagered for 8 weeks, this golden elixir is inspired by the beloved Festbier celebrated in Munich during Oktoberfest. Brewed with a blend of choice pilsner malts and elevated by small additions of Munich and Vienna malts. Hopped with a few additions of Perle for a cleansing finish to be enjoyed by the liter. Prost!
Oktoberfest Release!
Of course, September isn’t all lederhosen and lagers. A few other fresh releases are joining the drafts this month, giving you even more reasons to keep an eye on the taps.
Hops for Hope Belgian Blonde w/ Blood Orange & Peach
Still fermenting and still unnamed, this special libation was brewed with a ton of purpose from the intention behind the craftsmanship to the charitable cause it supports. We brewed this Belgian with our partners from United Therapeutics for our Hops for Hope team to pour at the Main Event at North Hills Midtown Park on September 19. The tasting festival that day serves as the final hurrah to close out the fundraising campaign for Children’s Flight of Hope. The beer utilized 100% German ingredients and serves foremost as a Belgian Blonde with some fruity character to it. Don’t expect a fruit bomb as demonstrated in some of our recent sour releases. This is a crushable Belgian with a mild yeast profile and low end fruit additions. The beer gives Ian “2010 vibes” and is the type of beverage meant to be sipped outside at a music festival.
Coming Soon!
Dolly Dolcita Hazy IPA
This Hazy is our exciting experimentation with Dolcita hops, formerly HBC 1019. This is a newer, fruit-forward 2025 hop that Ian has been itching to pour into his tanks. This almost entirely 100% Dolcita beer overflows with tropical flavors of peach rings, pineapple, orange creamsicle, and coconut. A Hazy with such aromatic and lush flavor deserves a name just as powerful and we’re honoring the beloved Dolly Parton with this one. “I Will Always Love You.”
Coming Soon!
Fear and Love West Coast IPA – 7.5% ABV
John Lennon once said “There are two basic motivating forces, fear and love.” Well, one of Ian’s daily fears finally came true. He made the same mistake made so often by helpers in the brewery, one that he loves to shame others for, but rarely occurs by his own hands. He milled too much malt into our WC IPA recipe. There was no way to dilute it and reverse the mistake. As he began calculating the damage, every recipe specification would have to be changed. The love of brewing would have to be rekindled for a new balance to be achieved. So he cranked up the IBUs to about 90 (vs. 60-70 in our usual recipe), created a new sulfate heavy water profile to increase perceived dryness, and included a big CTZ dry hop for its muscular gnarliness alongside every IPA hop he found in our freezer. The result is a somewhat richer variant of our house WC’s. Citra, CTZ, Krush, Waimea, Idaho #7, and Simcoe.
Pouring Now!
September’s Social Calendar
Pints for Hope @ The Glass Jug Beer Lab – RTP
Thursday | September 3 | 5pm-8pm
We’re hitting the road and teaming up with our friends at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP for a night packed with beer, music, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass. Pints for Hope brings together two breweries for one big evening benefiting Children’s Flight of Hope, with Blackbird and Glass Jug beers flowing alongside a special cheese and beer pairing flight featuring selections from both breweries. We’re bringing a full lineup of music along for the ride, with Raleigh Rishi and Grace Stephenson taking the stage before King Akira keeps the night moving with a closing DJ set. Come hungry for a few new beer discoveries, stay for the music, and help us turn a great night out into meaningful support for Children’s Flight of Hope and the families they serve.
Labor Day at Blackbird
Monday | September 7 | 1pm-10pm
We’re stretching the long weekend a little further with extended Labor Day hours and an afternoon made for hanging out at Blackbird. We’ll be opening early from 1pm–10pm, with cold beer pouring and the grill fired up for free hot dogs throughout the day. Then at 7pm, it’s time to put your stars, stripes, and random American knowledge to the test with a special American-themed trivia night hosted by Hammered Trivia from 7pm–9pm. Come spend the holiday with us!
Crokinole Night
Wednesday | September 9 | 6:30pm-8:30pm
Looking for a new game to add to your repertoire? Every second Wednesday, the Triangle Crokinole Club takes over Blackbird for a night dedicated to one of our favorite lesser-known tabletop games. Crokinole blends the precision of curling with the competitive spirit of shuffleboard, making it easy to pick up and dangerously easy to get hooked on. No experience is necessary, and newcomers are always encouraged to jump in. The Triangle Crokinole Club provides the boards, game pieces, and plenty of friendly guidance, so all you need to bring is a little competitive spirit and maybe a pint for your non-flicking hand.
Paint & Sip w/ Taylor Varron
Saturday | September 12 | 1pm-3pm
Our Paint & Sip with local artist Taylor Varron returns this September with a little vinyl inspiration. This time around, Taylor will lead the class through painting vinyl records, turning an old-school favorite into a one-of-a-kind piece of art. No painting experience is necessary, just grab a drink, get creative, and let Taylor guide you through the process. Tickets are available for purchase in advance and spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours before the class fills up.
Blood Drive w/ The Blood Connection
Sunday | September 13 | 2pm-6pm
Beer tastes even better after saving lives. We’re once again teaming up with The Blood Connection for a Blood Drive at Blackbird, and this one has the chance to make an even bigger impact. Each blood donation can help save up to three lives, and if we reach our donation goal, The Blood Connection will make an additional contribution to our Hops for Hope campaign benefiting Children’s Flight of Hope. That means rolling up your sleeve can help patients in need today while also supporting children traveling to receive life-changing medical care. As a thank you, every donor will receive a $5 Blackbird gift card plus $30 in TBC rewards. The Wake Forest Rotary Club will have a table set up sharing information about their organization and local involvement. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred, so register in advance, come give a little, and help us turn one afternoon into a whole lot of good.
Blackbird Fall Artisan Market w/ Be Like Missy
Saturday | September 19 | 12pm-5pm
The incoming cooler weather calls for a little shopping, and we’re welcoming Be Like Missy back to Blackbird for a special Fall Artisan Market. Spend the afternoon browsing a curated lineup of local makers, artists, and small businesses while enjoying a pint and soaking up the first signs of fall at the brewery. Whether you’re on the hunt for something new, getting a head start on seasonal shopping, or just looking for an excuse to spend the day at Blackbird, there will be plenty to discover. Grab a beer, browse the market, and help us show some love to the local creative community.
Hops for Hope Main Event @ North Hills Midtown Park
Saturday | September 19 | 2pm-6pm
It all leads to this! After a summer of fundraising, special events, and plenty of pints poured for a purpose, we’re heading to North Hills Midtown Park on Saturday, September 19 for the Hops for Hope Main Event. From 2pm–6pm, brewery and corporate teams from across the Triangle will come together to pour the beers they’ve created while raising critical funds for Children’s Flight of Hope. Blackbird will be there alongside our Hops for Hope partners at United Therapeutics, ready to pour, celebrate, and see just how much good our community can accomplish together. Beyond the beer, the afternoon brings live music, local food trucks, a kids zone, and plenty of festival fun. It’s the culmination of everything we’ve been working toward this summer, and we’d love to see a huge Blackbird crowd there raising a glass with us as we help support Children’s Flight of Hope and the children whose lives are changed.
Support our campaign and make a donation today!
4th Annual Blackbird Oktoberfest
Saturday | September 26 | 12pm-11pm
If there’s one celebration that feels right at home at Blackbird, it’s Oktoberfest. We’ve always taken pride in brewing traditional German beer styles, and for one big day each year, we take that appreciation even further by transforming the brewery into our own little slice of Germany in Wake Forest. The taps fill with special German beer releases, the taproom takes on the energy of a true German beer hall, our staff dresses for the occasion, and the day is packed with Oktoberfest traditions, Blackbird-style fun, stein-hoisting competitions, Stick & Poke beers, and plenty of reasons to shout Prost!
Of course, an Oktoberfest celebration needs the right soundtrack. Tom Neuhauser kicks things off from 12pm–2pm with live accordion music, bringing an unmistakably German sound to the taproom and setting the tone for the festivities. From 3pm–6pm, Jimmy Deve grabs his guitar for an acoustic set fueled by his infectious personality and knack for keeping a crowd entertained. Then we’re ending the night with a bang as local celebrity Adam Lee Decker and the Adam Lee Decker Band take over from 7pm–10pm, bringing the full-band energy to carry Oktoberfest straight through the final hours of the night.
One of our favorite food partners, The Butcher’s Market, will be in attendance from 12pm-8pm or until sold out! They’ll be dishing out a variety of deliciousness to match our incredible beer. Here’s a peek at the menu for the event:
The Butcher’s Market’s Oktoberfest Menu:
- Blackbird’s Pacifica Infused Cheddar Bratwurst – served with sauerkraut, whole grain mustard, on brioche bun
- SmashTober Burger – 2 smash patties, smothered in beer cheese & carmelized onions, on a pretzel bun
- TBM Steak & Cheese – thinly sliced signature steak tips, white American cheese
- Hot Dog – with or without chili, brioche bun
- German Potato Salad
- Gurkensalat – cucumber, dill, sour cream dip with pita chips
Between the German beer flowing from the taps, the music filling the brewery, the competitions, costumes, and beer-hall atmosphere, our 4th Annual Blackbird Oktoberfest is shaping up to be one of our biggest celebrations yet. Come early, stay late, raise a stein, and experience Oktoberfest the Blackbird way.
Sunday Funday House Party @ Bird’s Nest
Sunday | September 27 | 2pm-8pm
Sunday Funday is back at Bird’s Nest, and we’re turning up the volume for another House Party with our friends. Our familiar crew of DJs (DJ Jamie, DJ Boss Lady, and DJ Mindormatter) returns to take over the Nest with an afternoon of house music, cocktails, and the kind of energy that makes Monday feel very far away. Settle in with a drink, find your way to the dance floor, and let House of Sticks and their cigars keep the weekend alive for a few more hours. If you’ve made it to one of our House Parties before, you already know the drill. If you haven’t, September is a very good time to fix that.
Cue The Music
Blackbird always delivers with a soundtrack for each season, and we’ve got plenty of live music lined up to carry us through the month. From laid-back acoustic sets and Sunday afternoon jazz to full-band performances, Open Mic, and a full day of music for Oktoberfest, there’s something playing every week at Blackbird. We’re even turning up the volume next door with another Sunday Funday House Party at Bird’s Nest. Grab a pint, find a spot, and cue the music.
JT Parrothead | September 3 | 6pm-9pm
Tigerlily | September 10 | 6pm-10pm
Sunday Jazz w/ Michael Jones & Ellis Merlin | September 13 | 3pm-6pm
Scarlet Tantrum | September 17 | 6pm-9pm
Open Mic w/ Adam Lee Decker | September 20 | 3pm-6pm
John Ford | September 24 | 6pm-9pm
Tom Neuhauser | September 26 | 12pm-2pm
Jimmy Deve | September 26 | 3pm-6pm
Adam Lee Decker Band | September 26 | 7pm-10pm
Sunday Funday House Party @ Bird’s Nest | September 27 | 2pm-8pm
The Holidays Will Be Here Before You Know It
The beginning of fall means we’re inching closer to the holiday season bit by bit. We are already seeing an influx of event rental requests, so if you’re interested in having Blackbird or Bird’s Nest host your holiday party, do not hesitate to inquire about the available options we have to meet all your needs!
Bird’s Nest Event Inquiry Link
September With You
Every season at Blackbird ends up carrying its own collection of memories. They’re made over pints at the bar, during songs you didn’t expect to sing along to, at events that turn strangers into familiar faces, and in all the ordinary afternoons that somehow become part of the story too. September has a lot packed into it, but those are the moments we’re most excited for. Another fall is beginning at Blackbird, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
