When we broke the news to Tallahassee Democrat readers (with an assist from the Bainbridge Post Searchlight) back in May of this year about nearby Bainbridge, Georgia, becoming home to its first craft brewery, it nearly melted the internet around these parts.

Between co-owner and head brewer Gallagher Dempsey being born and raised in Tallahassee — and the fact that another craft brewery was opening just a short drive from the Big Bend — the story sat atop the Democrat's "Most Read" stories for nearly two days.

Fast forward five months later, and Southern Philosophy Brewing has now been open since July. And in true local craft brewery form, they're already finding ways to give back to the community that supports them.

On Sunday, Oct. 20, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Southern Philosophy is hosting our latest Tallahassee Beer Society charity bottle share fundraiser that we have become known for over the last two years. And the benefactor this time around is the family of a local 4-year-old Bainbridge boy named Cloud Kirbo, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of late on-set Krabbe Disease less than a year ago.

Krabbe Disease is a debilitating genetic disorder. There is no cure. And the outlook isn't good for any child who has been diagnosed with it. The only option for the Kirbo family to prolong their son's life is a stem-cell procedure performed by a specialist in Pittsburgh — but there is a catch: The procedure costs $500,000 — and half of it needs to be paid in advance.

So far, Bainbridge — and the surrounding community — has responded to the family's need in a HUGE way. The GoFundMe for Cloud Kirbo has now raised over $115,000 — and counting. And that doesn't even include the nearly $8,000 Southern Philosophy helped raised last month when it opened its doors on a Monday (when they're normally closed) and held a celebrity bartending event featuring the town's mayor Edward Reynolds, former University of Arkansas and Bainbridge High football star Rohan Gaines, and other prominent business leaders behind the bar serving beers and cocktails.

But the best part? When the fundraiser was over, Southern Philosophy donated 100% of the proceeds that night — alcohol sales, food sales, merchandise sales and all tips the bartenders received — to the family.

"We had to do something," Dempsey told us that evening. "And this was our way to help." 

But they're not done, and Sunday's charity bottle share is the latest way they're seeking to help. So if you don't have plans Sunday, head up to Bainbridge, drop a donation in the bucket, eat some great food provided by Southern Philosophy's kitchen, sample some amazing beers and come enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and fundraising for a family in need.

Ology's Oktoberfest

Fresh off its successful trip to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, the crew at Ology Brewing is back in town this week and holding its Oktoberfest celebration throughout the weekend.

Festivities include a double can release Thursday, Oct. 17, featuring two German-style beers: A Czech Pilsner and a Helles Lager. Ology described both beers on their Facebook page, saying: "Helles is our 5.25% Munich Lager. Lagered for 2.5 months and ready to meet your lips. Slight malt sweetness from the melanoidin reactions and malt bill with a very slight hop presence. Pilz is our 4.75% German Lager. Crispy, light, dry, and a more pronounced hop presence. We did a double decoction on this mash to bring about some depth from the purely Pilsner malt grain bill and to allow more attenuation."

The can release Thursday will be followed by a commemorative Ology stein release Saturday — with deals on beer refills after purchase — plus a stein-holding competition at noon and a special German-inspired menu from their in-house FoodLab food truck throughout the day.

Hope to see ya there!

Speaking of Oktoberfests, Elder Care's 21st Annual is Friday

The granddaddy Oktoberfest of them all — the 21st Annual Elder Care Oktoberfest — is Friday, Oct. 18, at the Tallahassee Pavilion! We told you all about it a month ago in a previous column and how this year's theme was an homage to the Tallahassee Brew Bus.

If you haven't gotten your tickets, there's still time — and this is one craft beer experience you're not going to want to miss! That's because for the first time in the history of the Tallahassee-area craft beer scene, we will have 12 local breweries —coming from Franklin County, to Panama City, to Lake City, to South Georgia, and right here from Tallahassee — under one roof. 

It's going to be an epic night!

Busy time for Proof 

Proof Brewing has four events coming up to put on your calendar. They are:

• "Tails From the Crypt Costume Contest," Tues, Oct. 29, 7-11 p.m.: This is a pet costume contest, so get your furry friends dressed up and the first-, second- and third-place winners will all receive Proof gift cards.

• "St. Mark's Lighthouse Pre-lighting Celebration," Weds., Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m.: Proof is brewing a special beer and creating a commemorative glass for the celebration of re-lighting the newly restored St. Mark’s Lighthouse! A portion of proceeds go to support St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge. 

• "Trivia at Proof, Spooky Style," Weds., Oct. 30, 7:30-10:30 p.m.: Come check out Proof's regular Wednesday trivia, but with costumes and a tour of their new facility included!

• "Proof-O-Ween Halloween Costume Party & Contest," Thurs., Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m. - Midnight: $100 gift card to the winner of Proof's annual costume contest, $50 to second place and $25 to third. The costume contest is limited to the first 30 entries.

More taps for Deep

Deep Brewing announced this week on its Facebook page that it was expanding the number of taps in the tasting room and will now have 15 taps for its core, rotational and seasonal beers.

Not sure how y'all feel, but the more Deep beer to choose from, the better!

Also, Deep is re-releasing its Short Timer this weekend, a sweet stout that clocks in at 8.2% ABV and features notes of coffee, chocolate, roasted malt and English barley.

More Tribe cans coming

When the temps start to drop, that means Lake Tribe is about to drop some dark beers.

Lake Tribe released its "Axel Grease" porter in cans last week — bringing the total beers they've canned since buying a canning machine last year up to 14 — and then Nov. 1 will see the release of its "Night Cap" stout in cans and in the tasting room.

Stay tuned their social media for details on that event!

The TLH Beer Society is a group of avid craft beer lovers co-founded by Danny Aller, who is also the co-host of the Saturday Morning Bottle Share on 97.9 ESPN radio. Follow TLH Beer Society at Facebook.com/TLHBeerSociety or @TLHBeerSociety on Twitter and Instagram or email tlhbeersociety@gmail.com.