King’s Hardware (5225 Ballard Ave. N.W.) is now pouring New Belgium’s Hoptober into a sweet goblet which you get to take home, all for only $4, no happy hour or other such restrictions. It’s bevy of hops and malt and rye and oat in a rich, golden ale style. A medium bodied beer that’s hardly middle of the road, Hoptober has well-rounded flavor from the multitude of grains with just enough bitterness for a clean finish. Skee ball just got a little more attractive, and after three goblets of Hoptober, dangerous.Also, check out my write up in this issue (“The Wire” section) regarding the Washington Beer Commission’s Winter Beer Fest at Hale’s Palladium, this Friday (5:00pm to 10:00pm) and Saturday (1:00pm to 10:00pm).