Oktoberfests / Marzens

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Josbor11, Mar 10, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. 57md

    57md Grand Pooh-Bah (3,009) Aug 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Great Lakes is my favorite Marzen by far. I must confess that I am partial to the malty Marzens even if they are less than genuine.
     
    Chickenhawk9932 likes this.
  2. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,848) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Holy cow! That is not the beer I had last year. Something strange may be going on- even on the first page of reviews there are a few with a description of a 'golden color' sprinkled in among the rest. Different beers with the same label? I'll definitely have to report back when we get it- hopefully by April. The stores by me get it as a seasonal- maybe a 5 case drop- and when it sells out it isn't available till next year.
     
  3. Harnkus

    Harnkus Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 New York

    You might have been mislead if you think that beer is a traditional Marzen.
     
  4. Tilley4

    Tilley4 Pooh-Bah (2,667) Nov 13, 2007 Tennessee
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Victory makes a killer Fest bier as does Stoudts.... Left Hand should be mentioned as well
     
  5. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Only 8 posts previous. :wink:
     
    TongoRad likes this.
  6. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Just wonder if they're phasing it into a paler beer?
     
  7. YamBag

    YamBag Initiate (0) Feb 2, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Victory Zeltbier is incredible. I went through a sixtel and half keg last year.
     
    JackHorzempa likes this.
  8. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,848) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Until Domingo mentioned it, I was unaware of the confusion regarding whether Maibock and UrBock were the same beer. I guess it's possible that maybe the older ones are darker- what he is holding looks like a straight-up traditional bock to me. When I see it I will also check for dates, if there are any- being a mostly seasonal purchaser of theirs I never really checked before.
     
  9. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,206) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I believe the discussion goes back to before the site went down (2010?), but there was a lot of talk whether the HB Maibock and UrBock were the same. I have no idea of the hows and whys, but at the time it seemed to be that they were the same...or someone who knew better said so. It's been a while, so I really don't know.
    The one I have looks a hair darker than it is (just because of the lighting in the shade) but it's definitely not blonde. If anything, it looks pretty close to the amber Maerzens they export to the US.
     
  10. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,146) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Wait, none of you guys made it to the marzenpus release? I was promised a case but only landed 9 for trading. Such a rip.

    Seriously while I love a good fest beer my true passion is for dortmunder export. Another totally unheralded style in the current American beer scene. Always looking for recommendations in this genre.
     
    YamBag likes this.
  11. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    This is the label I always see around here, and it's always been much darker than the traditional Maibock -- I always compared it to an Amber Märzen (it's what I was talking with you about above). Here's a good example of what I've always gotten from HB.

    It's a mystery what you've had available. :wink:
     
  12. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Interesting that I see BA has listed a Hofbräu Strong Bock (US Import Version) that is labeled as a Maibock, along with the Maibock Urbock… which has the same label I always see imported.

    Rather confusing indeed. Anyone work for the HB importer or a distributor?
     
  13. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,053) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Here's a video of Michael Jackson drinking a Hofbrau Maibock (starting around the 3'30" mark). Looks pretty classically amber.

     
    seanyfo, Domingo and steveh like this.
  14. Crusader

    Crusader Pooh-Bah (1,651) Feb 4, 2011 Sweden
    Pooh-Bah Society

    On their website in the history section, you find this picture next to some information about the first Maibock that was brewed by Hofbräu:

    [​IMG]
    "Der Maibock von HB - Münchens ältestes Bockbier."
     
    JackHorzempa likes this.
  15. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    So basically, Ur Bock on the label can be referring to Ur Maibock. Sort of sounds familiar, as though I've found more info on this in the past… I'll keep digging.
     
  16. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,030) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    The classic "chewy" mouthfeel! :grinning:
     
  17. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,628) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    It's a lager
    It's not high ABV
    It's low in IBU's
    It's not aged in bourbon barrels
    It doesn't have vanilla/cinnamon/chocolate in it
    It's not "American"

    In my experience, these characteristics are not viewed as favorable amongst the beeradvocate community.
     
    Augustiner719 likes this.
  18. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,656) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I love a good Marzen, Helles, Pils and other low ABV styles (Pale Ale, wheats/heffs/session IPAs) I rotate as my more frequent and daily standards. Heavier stouts, Strong Ales, DIPAs, Big Belgians, Sours etc. I go to as a mix-up and slam my taste buds on rare occassions but too much and my palet is wrecked, belly gets big and pocket gets emptied. I personally prefer 3 out of ever 4 beers I drink from the lighter lager/ale styles.
     
  19. Augustiner719

    Augustiner719 Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2008 Massachusetts

    lets not forget to mention americanized bastardizations of Oktoberfest beers. All wreaking of diacytl and the color of an amber lager.

    Also someone above mentioned they have low IBU's, aren't barrel aged, and not american (for the most part)... so this forum really isn't the best place for this style of beer
     
  20. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I ‘hear’ what you are saying in your post (and I do not disagree with the statements), but Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer is a popular seller during the Oktoberfest season (August/September until they run out in October/November).

    I am personally not a fan of Sam Adams Oktoberfest but many US craft beer drinkers are.

    @jesskidden, do you happen to know how much Sam Adams Oktoberfest is sold per year?

    Cheers!
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.