"Beer me"

It is the third most consumed drink in the world (after coffee and tea). Beer has been thought to have originated long before the discovery of bread by prehistoric nomads. It has stood the test of time and is only getting better.
Just about every culture has it's own distinct brew but no single country takes the art more seriously than Germany. German beers are different solely based on "The Reinheitsgebot". Translated it means "Purity Law". This law keeps recipes dating as far back as 1516. Keeping with tradition, each German brewery takes recipes and the law to heart.
Although some East Bay Breweries do use the laws, some prefer a more creative route while still using German methods as well as German hops. Some stay true to the original brewing methods while others are swaying to new methods.
Our own East Bay has jumped on this bandwagon. Breweries like The Hopyard (locations in San Ramon and Pleasanton) and Jupiter of Berkley are pushing out fantastic Pale Ales, Pilsners, and even blends. Pyramid Brewery and alehouse (also located in Berkeley) offers fantastic food as well as their award winning Hefeweizen.
One East Bay restaurant seems to take the cake on its Germanic beer obsession. Speisekammer of Alameda offers Eleven German beers on tap and a menu that is nothing short of traditional.
So, if you don't have the funds to attend Oktoberfest in the next few months try what might be just as best in our own backyard.