Märican Biere Bought and Drunk...

Check out this recent post by @sierranevadabill for more info on that character.

 

Saw that from Bill. Good stuff. Also kinda wishing I didn't live so far from Mills River -- open fermented keller pils...

 

Took a long weekend and spent some quality time touring around Southeast Wisconsin yesterday with my bride. Not really looking for beer, but just seeking out smaller towns and villages for "sight-seeing."

Nonetheless, it's difficult to be in Wisconsin and not find beer within reach and I grabbed up a 12 pack of Capital Oktoberfest. This used to be my favorite of all local Oktos, but since Kirby Nelson left the helm of brewmaster it hasn't quite been the same -- seems there's some diacetyl troubles in a brewery known for its German-style lagers. Fortunately, there are a lot of Wisconsin breweries with good Oktoberfests -- I only wish Kirby's new one was making the style.

I also found some of Goose Island's 2015 Oktoberfest last week. One of the best ESBs I've had in a long time.

 

Smuttynose used to make an Oktoberfest years ago in their Big Beer series. I don't recall how it was at this point, but I just heard that their experimental arm, Smuttlabs, will be putting out an Oktoberfest shortly. Will have to snag some when it comes out and report back. Prosit!

 

Picked up some more SN Ofest this morning, along with Santa Fe's version + some surprisingly fresh Hofbrau Ofest (mid-June bottling -- probably as fresh as I'll ever see it here out West). Almost grabbed some Erdinger too, but the sixer was starting to feel a little Octoberfest heavy Filled it in with some 3-week old Sculpin, a citra-hopped wheat beer from an LA brewery (Golden Road), and a fresh Anchor California lager.

 

They are this year. Per their Facebook, it's called Patron Saint Oktoberfest and was supposed to be available August 1.

 

Funny, because the WB beers are available around me and I haven't seen it at all -- any chance it's draft only?

 

It very well could be. The posts didn't say whether it would be draft-only or bottled/canned. My hunch is that this will be bottled, and it could be slow getting to the shelves since I haven't seen a post recently about its release.

 

Looks like it's going to be bottled. From their website: http://www.wisconsinbrewingcompany.com/beers/in-and-out-series/010

 

Wow! That is a pretty label!!

Cheers!

 

Good number of American Oktoberfests popping up on store shelves around here. Grabbed this Left Hand last weekend while snagging some more SN and Hofbrau. As you can see in the pic, it's pretty darn dark, and that certainly portended the heavy caramel sweetness in the nose and palate. This was not to my liking at all and a stark contrast to the deft balance of the Hofbrau I had the previous day. Little bit of sourness in the finish and sweet enough that I almost struggled to finish the glass. I tend to lean toward the wies'n-style Oktoberfests anyway, and this take on the style - dark, sweet, caramel rather than bready - does absolutely nothing for me.

 

The American Oktoberfest testings continue. Last night, it was Santa Fe Brewing's Oktoberfest, which comes in a pretty snazzy Bavarian flag-themed can.

Best thing about this brew is the nose actually, lovely wafts of clean lager yeast drift through the nostrils. Not especially bready or malty, and maybe not even to style (though it didn't feel especially out of place), but man that yeast note was great -- clean and refreshing. Palate is not so much bready or crackery, but just sort of generally "malty". I know, not a great descriptor. It's a touch sweet but doesn't go overboard on that front. Nicely drinkable, not especially dry, but, again, not sugary/sweet/wet. Overall, it was a pretty darn satisfying drink that I think holds up nicely enough in its own way. Still think I prefer SN's version, not to mention HB/Weihenstephan/Ayinger, but I don't think you'd be disappointed if this was put in front of you. Prost!

 

I just had another Goose Island Oktoberfest, after having an Urban Chestnut Zwickel, and boy -- did that beer really strike me as sickly sweet. I don't often drain-pour Goose beers, but I couldn't make it through that one. Chilling a Spaten Okto to re-calibrate my palate!

Would love to try the Sante Fe, but I'd have to drive to MO, and if I'm doing that I'll be chasing down Urban Chestnut... and @spartan1979!

 

Saw some Point Oktoberfest at the store over the weekend and decided to grab a $7 six-pack.

Typical US rendition of the style, if not a little more subtle; caramel sweetness up front, lightly nutty, but a good amount of breadiness too. Caramel lingers thru the finish and aftertaste, but hops make an attempt at dryness. Not a terrible version, just typical to what American Oktos became over the years (or maybe always were with ingredients and brewing to-style experience).

 

Made a run for the border to see what the closest Woodman's grocer (huge beer selection) had in their Oktoberfest selection -- which they always showcase around this time of year.

I was really seeking out the Wisconsin Brewing Patron Saint Oktoberfest -- which I found... but wasn't terribly impressed by. But as I mention in the review, I wonder how many breweries are tuning there beers to the Brewers Association guidelines now?

Also found Schell's, Abita, and Lakefront Oktos, along with Weihenstephaner Fest. Many others -- including 12 packs of Paulaner Wies'n, which I've never seen before -- also available.

 

I had the Patron Saint at Great Taste of the Midwest. It didn't impress me either. I thought the Lake front was pretty good,I brought home a sixer. But the Paulaner I bought has it beat.

 

Found Schlafly Oktoberfest at a local today. Not a bad Ami rendition of the Amber Märzen style; still has more caramel flavor up front than I care for, but has some nice toastiness in the finish that was pleasant.

Still no sign of Urban Chestnut Okto, but I have my fingers crossed since I saw Schlafly's Pumpking beer on shelves a couple weeks ago and had no hope of seeing the Okto!

 

UCBC is supposed to be released at their Oktoberfest, Sept 25-27. Come on down!

 

I picked up a single of the Sierra /Riegele Ofest yesterday. Loved the bready, toasty malt character. Also thought it had an ever so subtle spiciness in the finish. Will be getting more! Prosit!