Goose Island Oktoberfest?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by steveh, Aug 9, 2013.

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  1. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    No mention of the return of this brew? I was surprised to see it looking back at me from the cooler of a small store nearby home -- and yes, before you ask (because it crossed my mind too), this was bottled July 29, 2013 -- and not even in New York, right here in Chicagoland. Also, the label is more Bavarin in its motif; blue & white with gold -- not like the old Autumn color scheme on the past bottles.

    Traditional German-style Märzen. Serve in a nonic pint glass? Uh...

    No mention on the web site either, strange surprise. Also doesn't seem to be the disguised brown ale of their Oktoberfest past; bready, vaguely caramel, lightly sweet turning to a dry finish -- no sign of roasted malt at all -- very clean.

    A hefty 6.4 ABV -- so on the high side for an Okto-Märzen (even bigger than Great Lakes). Was looking for something different today, glad the lousy traffic patterns steered me to this rarely visited (for me) store.
     
    #1 steveh, Aug 9, 2013
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  2. JuniperJesus

    JuniperJesus Pundit (805) Feb 26, 2011 Illinois

    I'm surprised they didn't announce this at all. I picked it up last night with the intention of just buying a Citra Ninja during my visit. I saw it in the cooler and immediately grabbed it. I drank it as soon as I came home. As if I didn't have enough surprises, the taste blew me away: Noble hops (maybe extra), spicy, nice dry caramel taste, big flavor! I am definitely alternating between this and Great Lakes.
     
    #2 JuniperJesus, Aug 9, 2013
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  3. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    To me this is much smoother than I've ever found the Great Lakes Okto -- which makes the availability and great price range very dangerous...

    I hope someone with better insight on chimes in, I'd like to know if this is truly a bottom-fermented beer. If so, I think it would be the first from the (big) brewery since the last time they brewed the Oktoberfest.
     
    #3 steveh, Aug 9, 2013
  4. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Really? No more comment/info on this new one? Goose Island or Lager backlash?
     
    #4 steveh, Aug 10, 2013
  5. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    It's way too early for an Oktoberfest. I'll try it later next month personally.
     
    #5 steebo777, Aug 10, 2013
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  6. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Can certainly appreciate that (even if the breweries don't), but I'm just amazed that this beer, after being off the schedule for so long, has flown under the radar in its re-introduction.
     
    #6 steveh, Aug 10, 2013
  7. Redrover

    Redrover Grand Pooh-Bah (3,676) Jan 18, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I will be on the lookout for this one. Glad to see it return!
     
    #7 Redrover, Aug 10, 2013
  8. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep my eye out for it.
     
    #8 Ri0, Aug 11, 2013
  9. Bay01

    Bay01 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2008 Illinois


    My policy is to not buy any Oktoberfest/Fall beers until September. I'll definitely give this a try then.
     
    #9 Bay01, Aug 11, 2013
  10. crossovert

    crossovert Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2009 Illinois

    inbev backlash
     
    #10 crossovert, Aug 11, 2013
  11. Frankinstiener

    Frankinstiener Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2009 Illinois

    I saw this yesterday and now regret that I didn't pick it up. Did it replace the harvest ale?
     
    #11 Frankinstiener, Aug 11, 2013
  12. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    That's a really good question, since the Harvest is what replaced the Okto previously.

    But I think the Harvest was a big seller, so I'd venture a "no" guess.
     
    #12 steveh, Aug 11, 2013
  13. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Not a bad policy... except I've tried the same and missed out on some of the better ones. :astonished:
     
    #13 steveh, Aug 11, 2013
  14. Etan

    Etan Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2011 Wisconsin

    I'll look out for it in between sixes of Staghorn :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #14 Etan, Aug 11, 2013
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  15. sixerofelixir

    sixerofelixir Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2009 Ohio

    I hope this makes it to Ohio. The only style I have made a noble attempt to try all beers within my reach of is märzen; I would love to sample this..
     
    #15 sixerofelixir, Aug 12, 2013
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  16. grantcty

    grantcty Savant (1,016) Feb 17, 2008 Minnesota
    Trader

    Damn, passed over buying a single of this in Madison thinking it probably wouldn't be that great or be too similar to an ale. Looks like I'll have to keep an eye out for this in Minnesota.
     
    #16 grantcty, Aug 12, 2013
  17. flurker

    flurker Devotee (336) Nov 10, 2007 Illinois

    I've seen both on the shelf at Mariano's. Whatever happened to Fall beers coming out in the Fall?
     
    #17 flurker, Aug 12, 2013
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  18. BlackNote

    BlackNote Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 Michigan


    I'm the same way, but I'm also trying to wait and buy them in Sept. It is getting harder and harder cause Sam Adam's and Great Lakes had their's out end of last month/beginning of this month.
     
    #18 BlackNote, Aug 12, 2013
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  19. BorisKarloff

    BorisKarloff Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2013 Ohio

    It did - it's on the shelves in Columbus, at least.
     
    #19 BorisKarloff, Aug 12, 2013
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  20. BlackNote

    BlackNote Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 Michigan


    Trading to get a sixer of Staghorn. Hope it's good.
     
    #20 BlackNote, Aug 12, 2013
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