Good Causes: Rustico's Oktobeerfest

To raise money for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), the Neighborhood Restaurant Group is throwing an outdoor "Oktobeerfest" party this Saturday, Oct. 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at Rustico.

Flowing from kegs will be 10 Oktoberfest beers including Bell's Octoberfest, Left Hand Oktoberfest and Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen. A smoky Schlenkerla Rauch Marzen will also be on offer.

All of the group's restaurants — Rustico, Buzz, Evening Star Cafe, Vermilion, Tallula, and EatBar — will be selling food, and the line-up for the day sounds delicious.

From Buzz will come bourbon caramel made with Bourbon Barrel Cask beer, Guinness cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin ale cupcakes and raspberry cupcakes with St. Louis Framboise.

Savory dishes will include bratwurst with sauerkraut, peppers and onions from Rustico, porchetta sliders and macaroni and cheese from Tallula, barbecue spare ribs served with purple cabbage slaw and Vermont cheddar cornbread from Vermilion, goulash from Evening Star and more.

There will also be live music and activities for kids. Tickets will be sold for beer and food, but general admission is free. The majority of net proceeds will be donated to a local chapter of SCAN.