Märican Biere Bought and Drunk...

Got it at a local place on draft, and was told (at least) that the keg was very fresh. Didn't know that about bottles. Will keep the Budvar comparison in mind -- that's an interesting one.

 

As I mentioned in the favorite Oktoberfest thread in the beer talk forum, I had a pint of Sam Adams Octoberfest and it was surprisingly quite good. Does anyone know if the ingredients have changed at all recently? I noticed in the malt bill they use Munich malts and "Sam Adams Octoberfest malt" whatever that is. Granted they toss in American two-row and caramel malts, but I could definitely taste the Munich malts and it was quite pleasant. It was a bit sweet at times which I expected, but very drinkable.

I know the abv has dropped over the years to 5.3%, but I wonder about the malts used. And of course they use Noble hops.

 

All I have heard is that this year's version "is better than last year's." I did not like last year's, but may give this year's a shot based on you evaluation.

 

Take into consideration it would not rank up there with my favorites this year so far (Brooklyn, Ayinger, Spaten). As far as American versions, I'd take the Brooklyn over the Sam Adams. But the entire malt bill for Brooklyn was more "authentic" then Sam Adams.

For American versions this year I'd rank them like this...

1) Brooklyn
2) Sam Adams
3) Firestone (I know, blasphemy)
4) Idle Hands
5) Sierra Nevada

I look forward to having my first drafts of Paulaner Marzen and Wiesn this Saturday outside in the beautiful weather though!

 

I actually liked Firestone's Oaktoberfest better than the SN Okto. Probably better than the Sam Octo.

 

On the way home from a long work day I thought to myself, a nice Doppelbock would be a good change of pace from all the Oktoberfests. Low and behold; the local good beer retailer had the season's fresh shipment of an old friend: Capital Autumnal Fire.

When originally brewed, brewmaster Kirby Nelson liked to call this a Doppelbock with a Märzen character. All I know is that it's a seasonal tradition 'round these parts.

Pours a deep, clear, amber-orange with a thin, but tight, off-white head. DMS in the aroma with spicy alcohol and sweet, almost juicy malts back. The flavor is bready from malts and peppery from alcohol. The same "juiciness" of malts dominate the backbone of this beer with almost no hop character other than a mellow bitterness in the finish. The body is medium-robust with a slick, soft and chewy mouthfeel.

The current brewers of this beer are holding up tradition with the recipe and respectful nod to German-style brewing. A deliciously dangerous brew.

 

And you did them justice by giving them a great, well-written review!

To stay with this theme, I finally had Troegs Troeggenator for the first time this past weekend (on draft). This was also deliciously dangerous. I pounded this 8% brew. Quite sweet, which I both enjoyed, but also held it back from being as good as my favorite, Celebrator. The Troegs honestly may have been my second favorite though (admittedly I haven't had too many).

 

Thanks.

A Harryburg friend sent me some Troeggenator a while back and I really enjoyed it.

 

I'll be back in DC on Mon.. I guess I'll get my fill of 'Merican beeeer soon enough.

 

Trying a local Ami Okto today; Revolution Oktoberfest. Pretty much in line with my review of 2012.

 

@steveh my local just picked up fresh Spaten Oktoberfest. Bottled July 15th.

Damn...

That's my review.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/199/38861/

Have any of you tried Ballast Point's Longfin Lager? I kept passing over it at the liquor store because I thought it was an IPL. Then I read on Ballast Point's website it looks like a legitimate Helles.

 

Didn't see anything on their site about the ingredients. Hard to say without any of that info -- short of buying one. Unfortunately, I've been burned too many times to shell out the cash for something I know so little about (and, no, I'm not going to trust their description about this being legit). Do report back if you give it a shot.

 

I have not had the pleasure of drinking Ballast Point Longfin Lager but it sounds nice:



Cheers!

 

Saturday night was Oktoberfest night!



Paulaner and 5 American Oktoberfests. The American ones were Santa Fe, Victory, Westbrook Märzenbier, Summit and New Glarus Staghorn.

I didn't take notes as this was at party. IMHO, the Paulaner was the best of the bunch, but the New Glarus Staghorn was close. The Westbrook was pretty good too. The Summit and Santa Fe were good beers, but too typically American Oktoberfests. The Victory was vegetal and not enjoyable.

 

Where'd you get the Staghorn? Sneaky devil.

 

Had some fresh FW Oaktoberfest this weekend and found it to be much too hoppy for my taste in Oktoberfest beers.

 

I take it you haven't tried SN's new Okto?