Today, of course, is the first day of fall (and it’s also a certain Metroblogger’s birthday… I’m not telling whom, but let’s just say this person survived his or her Jesus year without getting nailed to anything.)

And the first day of fall means that’s it’s time for Oktoberfest. This weekend brings the Fremont Oktoberfest. For some, it’s a celebration of German beer , radical pumpkin carving, and some great music (the yummy Anna Coogan and North 19! Viva Voce! Aqueduct! Helio Sequence!) For others, though, it’s an excuse to get so stupidly pissed that they really make Fremont Oktoberfest one giant drunken frat party (without the togas). It’s like Bumbershoot, with chainsaws and way more alcohol and the crowd cattle-penned into that street in Fremont.

So… here’s you an alternative. Prost on top of Phinney Ridge is celebrating its Germanness on Saturday with a kep tapping, led by Mike Baker from Baron Brewing. I mention this because waaay back in the dotcom days (for you youngins, that was after the Beatles and before 9/11), Mike and I were at the same failed company. He got in with the guy who used to be my boss and they pursued their hobby as a business — brewing. Now, they’re selling German brews all over town. And honestly, wouldn’t you rather drink German beer with friends than drink watered down Redhook with a couple of frat boys with fake IDs who are going to ralph on you at any second?