Pretzel Crusted Salmon and Horseradish Potatoes with Bear Bones Porter at Grizzly Peak.

Photo: David Bardallis

The calendar’s said it’s fall for the past week, and the weather finally got the memo. With lower temperatures and rainy days upon us, it sounds like a good time to visit your favorite local watering hole for some good food and great beer and maybe even some sudsy education.

Luckily, the week ahead offers many opportunities to do just that—and in your favorite pair of pajamas, no less. Your Week in Beer™ is after the jump.

Today, Monday, Sept. 28, Grizzly Peak, 120 W. Washington, begins a month-long celebration of Oktoberfest by offering an array of fall craft beer and German-inspired food specials. Buy a limited-edition Oktoberfest pint glass for $5 and refill it with Oktoberfest lager, Rotweizen (red wheat ale), Schwartzweizen (black wheat ale), or other Grizzly Peak brew for $2 off the regular price. Pair your beer with food specials including Bavarian Pork Chops, Beer Braised Bratwurst, Pretzel Crusted Salmon, or Chicken Schnitzel. Beer and food specials last through Oct. 22; call 734-741-7325 for more information.

Over in Ypsilanti, the Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, hosts its Old Number 22 Altbier (now a seasonal beer) release party Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 6-8pm. Munchies will be served and the beer will flow freely. It’s free for Mug Club members (Arbor or Corner), or $15 for nonmembers. Call 734-480-2739 for more info.

Ever drink beer in your pajamas? Me, too. But not in public. Give it a try the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 30, with the downtown Ann Arbor Pajama Pub Crawl sponsored by 826 Michigan, a nonprofit tutoring and writing center for kids and teens. The pub crawl is being held in honor of the release of the movie version of Maurice Sendak’s beloved tale Where the Wild Things Are and begins at Old Town Tavern, 122 W. Liberty, at 7pm. Wear some warm bedtime duds; 826 Michigan volunteers will hand out monster masks and crowns to complete your Sendakian getup. Tickets are $25 and include five drink tickets, redeemable for one selected beer at the participating pubs: Old Town, Jolly Pumpkin, Full Moon, Blue Tractor, Grizzly Peak, and the Arena. Call 734-761-463, or pick up tickets at 826 Michigan, 115 E. Liberty, or at Old Town the night of the event.

Blue Tractor BBQ and Brewery, 207 E. Washington, follows its sister pub, Grizzly Peak, with its own Oktoberfest beer-and-food specials beginning Thursday, Oct. 1. Five-dollar, refill-for-$2-off pint glasses are also available, and the menu features Sauer-Brisket and Sweet Potato Pancakes, Jagermeister Pork Schnitzel, Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage, and Grilled Bratwurst. Through Oct. 22; call 734-222-4095.

Back in Ypsi, the Corner Brewery continues the Oktoberfest fun with a party in the beer garden Friday, Oct.2, beginning at 6pm. Enjoy food, beer, and live Bavarian-style music and dancing under the beer tent, rain or shine. No cover; children welcome with parents until 9pm.

The next day, Saturday, Oct. 3, Corner Brewery owner Rene Greff hosts another class in conjunction with Washtenaw Community College’s Lifelong Learning program: “Great Beers of the Great Lakes,” a fun and fast-paced history and tasting of 10 of Michigan’s best microbreweries. Over three hours (2-5pm), Greff covers the history, geography, and beer traditions of our great state. Tuition is $55 and advance registration is required. Must be government-approved (21+) to receive this beer enlightenment.

That’s all the brews fit to pint for this week; enjoy this great time of the year with some great local beer! (Wow, I'm a poet and it never even occurred to me.)

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest. Email your beer-related thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com.