May this autumn bring you a harvest of fun times and laughter with family and friends!

When you hear the word "fermentation," your mind might jump right to beer, but that's far from the only thing that requires fermentation. In fact, it's just one of many foods and drinks that include fermentation as a critical step in production. At the Austin Fermentation Festival, you'll get the chance to learn about many of them.

The main focus of the event is the workshops, which show you exactly how 12 different types of fermented foods and drinks are made. Some of them allow you to actually get some hands-on experience, so you can recreate the eats and sips when you go home. If you're more interested in tasting them than creating the foods and beverages, head to the market selling almost strictly fermented foods as well as the tasting stations manned by local chefs. Wine and beer will be served, and live music is also on the itinerary.

Austin Fermentation Festival
When: Sunday, October 2
Where: Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin, TX 78754
texasfarmersmarket.org/austin-fermentation-festival
www.everfest.com/e/austin-fermentation-festival-austin-tx

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Bart E

Touting its fame as the largest Texas-small-batch-beer festival, the 2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival will deliver high-quality specialty brews, some of which you won’t be able to find anywhere else. With over 65 breweries participating and 200 different ales to sample, you are sure to discover a new favorite. The list of brewers includes Deep Ellum Brewing Co., 4th Tap Brewing Cooperative, Whitestone Brewery, and more. There will be plenty of food from a variety of cuisines on hand as well.

Your entry fee gets you eight drinks tickets, each good for a three-ounce sample pour. You can purchase more during the event if you wish. Designated drivers get complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. The 2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival is taking place in Fiesta Gardens, located about three and a half miles from Elan East.

2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival
When: 2 – 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24
Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia Street, Austin, TX 78702
www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-texas-craft-brewers-festival-tickets-25720799604?aff=es2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr theNerdPatrol