Through Sunday October 4th, Nowadays is hosting their own Oktoberfest, aptly named “Nowafest,” with German-inspired fare, new drafts, and pumpkin ales.
Since opening in June, Nowadays has been the hang out off the Halsey stop, catering to both Manhattanites and local Bushwick and Queens residents. Owners Justin Carter, Eamon Harkin, and Mark Connell have cornered the market for a good time: great music, tasty food, and cold drinks. Oh, and a few board games and bocce won’t hurt, either.
Just in time for the changing season, they’re introducing new seasonal drafts to the menu (which will all be available starting Friday Sept. 25). Their neighbors at Queens Brewery are debuting a beer called Queens Blvd – an IPA made with Mosaic, Topaz and Mandarina Bavaria hops, serving it for the first time and exclusively at Nowadays.
“We’ve also called on our Queens brethren at Finback, and they’re supplying us with a beefy Pumpkin Porter,” says Carter.
In addition to a special round of drafts, they’ll have on hand seasonal beers like Harpoon Octoberfest, Slyfox Oktoberfest, and Anderson Valley Fall Hornin’. “It’s been a conscious effort of Mark’s to source all New York and East Coast beers,” says Paul Gleeson, the bartender for the night.
Yet it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without killer grub. Steve Porto, of the popular Smorgasburg mainstay Asiadog, is behind the food at Nowadays and offering two German-inspired specials. (Being a quarter German, he knows a thing or two about bratwurst and knödel.)
While a beer-braised bratwurst already exists on the menu, he’s topping it with homemade sauerkraut and jalapeño mustard. “We want to give the bratwurst more stage time,” says Porto.
He’s also doing a spin on his grandmother’s knödel, which are basically like mashed potato dumplings. Traditionally served in sauerbraten (German pot roast), Porto’s knödel are transformed into fried balls of creamy potato, onion, and mushroom, then topped with a beet horseradish mustard.
If you can’t make it to their Oktoberfest fest, Nowadays plans on staying open until October 26th (weather permitting), with plans for the quintessential fall drink (i.e. mulled wine). Consider us regulars.
‘Nowafest’ through Sunday, Oct. 4 at Nowadays, 56-06 Cooper Ave, Ridgewood, open Monday through Thursday, 4pm-midnight; FRI 2pm-2am; SAT noon – 2am; SUN noon to midnight.