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Missed Oktoberfest? Try these 6 places in the West that elevate beer

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October is a beery month. If you weren't one of the more than 6 million people who visited Munich during Oktoberfest, you can still celebrate at these six places that aren't so far from home. (Despite what it's name implies, Oktoberfest started Sept. 19 and ended Oct. 4.)

And for those who need more reasons to hoist a brew, Oct. 27 -- a Tuesday this year -- is American Beer Day.

Mendocino

Mushrooms, Beer and Wine Festival in Mendocino

Mushrooms, Beer and Wine Festival in Mendocino

(Visit Mendocino County)

Mushroom hunters in Mendocino. (Visit Mendocino County)

Here are some pairings to have with your next brew: chanterelles, porcinis, morels and hedgehogs. That's what you'll find at the Mushroom, Wine and Beer Festival in Mendocino from Nov. 6 to 15.

Spend time in live oak and redwood forests to go fungi hunting, then kick back to hoist a few at the Anderson Valley Brewing Co. At the brewery, you can take a tour or play a $5 round of disc golf too.

And there's a Brewmaster Dinner hosted by North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg scheduled for Nov. 12. Check out the complete list of events.

North Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail

North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail

(Tyler Bourns/North Lake Tahoe )

Stand-up paddle stop in North Lake Tahoe. (Ryan Bourns / North Lake Tahoe)

You can design your own triathlon on the newly rolled-out North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail. It offers lots of options to hike, stand-up paddle or bicycle to your perfect brew.

For example, you can bicycle an easy 11-mile loop from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City with a stop at Rocker@Squaw for a beer. Or stand-up paddle five miles from Sand Beach to Thunderbird Lodge with a stop at Cutthroat’s Saloon.

Be creative and figure out your own beer-worthy route with this North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail interactive map.

Big Bear Lake

New Crafts & Cranks event pairs beer with mountain bicycling.

New Crafts & Cranks event pairs beer with mountain bicycling.

(Big Bear Mountain Resorts)

Mountain biker at Snow Summit. (Big Bear Mountain Resorts)

Crafts and Cranks is a first-time event that melds craft beer tastings with mountain bike races, though not at the same time.

At Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake this Sunday, you can pedal your way around the San Bernardino Mountains ski resort in the morning and then head for the beer.

Tastings feature 30 craft beers from microbreweries in the West, including the local Big Bear Lake Brewing Co. Tickets to the event cost $50 for as many tastings as you can handle; race registration is separate.

Los Angeles

Angels & Ales

Angels & Ales

(InterContinental Los Angeles)

(InterContinental Los Angeles)

This month, the InterContinental Los Angeles in Century City pairs local Santa Monica Brew Works varieties with bourbon. Yes, bourbon -- specifically an Angel's Envy blend made especially for the hotel.

With Angel's & Ale, you can order the local brewery's pint of witbier or PCH (Pale Chocolate Heaven) with a shot of bourbon for $16.

Las Vegas

Downtown Brew Festival in Las Vegas

Downtown Brew Festival in Las Vegas

(Downtown Brew Festival)

(Fred Morledge / Downtown Brew Festival)

The Downtown Brew Festival brings on the beer in a big way -- more than 200 beers from 60 craft breweries, including Ballast Point, Shades of Pale and Chaucer's Cellars. The fest takes place 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Clark County Amphitheater in Las Vegas.

It's a lot of beer -- plus small bites and bands Pumpkin and Vokab Kompany -- to squeeze into one evening. Tickets cost $40 for admission, $50 for early entry and $85 for VIP entry.

June Lake

June Lake Beer Festival on Oct. 10.

June Lake Beer Festival on Oct. 10.

(Tim Stahl PhotoGraphics)

(Tim Stahl PhotoGraphics)

This is a sweet spot in the Eastern Sierra for fall colors, hiking and skiing in winter. However, on Saturday, it'll all be about the beer. The third June Lake Autumn Beer Festival takes place on Gull Lake from noon to 6 p.m.

Try your hand at the Stein Holding Contest and sample beers from more than a dozen local breweries, including June Lake Brewing and Alpine Beer Co. Tickets cost $35 for the all-you-can-drink tasting event.

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