Allagash Brewing announced that the sale of Vagabond, the second beer in its limited 375 mL series , will take place on Monday, October 19th, during store hours. 500 bottles will be available at $10 apiece. “This beer is from one of the only barrels to move with us into our new brewery three years ago. Aged four years in American oak barrels, it boasts a complex aroma of maple syrup and port, with background notes of marzipan, plum and dill. Flavors of tart, unripened plum and caramel, give way to a warming, toasted almond finish.”

Update from NEB’s Matt Westfall: “For the first time, New England Brewing Co’s Double IPA is available. There has been a few bbls set aside for growler sales at the brewery, the rest of this limited draft only offering will hit the MA, CT, and NY markets in the next few weeks. 8.2% 85 IBU’s.”

Update from Mike Gerhart of Otter Creek Brewing posted on Beer Advocate: “We planned on debuting Quercus Vitis Humulus this Saturday at the Portsmouth Brew Festival, but unfortunately that will not be happening. Nor will it be available in 22 oz. bottles or on draft in the state of New Hampshire. No, it’s not because of our proprietary crystal meth and Strisselspalt dry-hopping process, but rather the fact that we used grape juice in the process with a beer that had too high of an ABV. We hadn’t heard of this one either folks, but that’s how it goes. We will be having a release party here at the brewery for it’s debut which will be posted shortly and the beer will then be made available everywhere Otter Creek is distributed. Except for New Hampshire that is….”

Speaking of, New Hampshire Brew Fest 2009 takes place this Saturday in Portsmouth at the Redhook Brewery. 30 breweries, 90+ beers. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. More info available at BrewNH.com.

Finally, Beer Advocate Belgian Beer Fest, the big fest happening next month, now has a preliminary beer list online. Night of the Funk tickets are sold out but Saturday session tickets are still available.