Bayernbiere Bought and Drunk

Bavarian cafe lunch by the river today, only Paulaner Helles but it went down a treat. Generous serving too. And the potato salad was immense, I really need to eat more German food, it's so underrated here.

 

All of the 500 ml. bottles I've seen over here (Spaten in that size is scarce anymore, at least in my area) are also brown. It's only the smaller bottles that are green.

 

Just finished a Hofbrau Oktoberfest (Wies'n) and updated my 6 year old review of the beer -- thanks to @AlcahueteJ who pointed out the low scores of most German Okto/Märzens. I had tried this beer back in 2009 and knew it was probably not optimum in freshness, so since I'd been finding better stock I amended my review and score. A solid example of the style.

 

Yep, as reported, brown bottles in Germany.

 

Löwenbräu Oktoberfest showed up at ALDI- in 0,5l cans for 65 cents.
I know it is AB InBev and evil, but somehow I couldn't pass that up and grabbed 2 cans.
And surprisingly, I found it to be better than I remember it to be and enjoyable.
Very pale yellow, smooth, light maltish sweetness, very soft and very very drinkable. Drinks well below its strength.
Off course, aiganst a proper Festbier from smaller breweries it does not stand a chance, but for something out of a can I can grab for cheap at a low-end supermarket, not bad.

 

I'm a big fan of that one!

 

We get these same bottle here in the U.S., too -- it's just the 12 ouncers (yes, Spaten bottles in 12 oz.) that are green.

 

12 ouncers are children's portions anyways so they probably thought they needed to make those more colourful to appeal to their target audience.
Just get a manly 0,5 liter bottle and you're good

 

I've been enjoying reading through this thread for some time now, really great information to be had, so I guess it's finally time to contribute.

Tonight I had Ayinger Jahrhundert Bier for the first time.



I enjoyed this one a great deal. The balance is amazing. Sweet, bready Pils malt with a fair amount of noble hops, but neither is overdone. So clean and smooth. I feel like I could drink several liters with ease.

Like many other people, I wish Ayinger used some form of bottle dating. But I purchase a fair amount of their beers and I can honestly say I've never felt like I've had a quality issue with any of them. Tonight was no exception. Prost!

 

I agree about the beer and the thread!

 

I fuckin' love that beer. Just as superb on draft in the US too if you can find it.

 

Agreed on their lack of clear dating. I've had a few Ayinger beers that have been on shelves too long and the Jahrhundert is one that can be off when it's old -- but when it's fresh it's outstanding.

 

It's even better from the wooden barrel. Jahrhundert is what's served vom holzfass at their restaurant in Munich (across from the Hofbräuhaus).

 

Thanks to Erzengel I brought back a mix of German traditional and craft beers. Krug, Kneitinger, Pott's, several fresh Koelsch beers, as well as stuff like BrauKunstKeller and Ale-Mania.
So far they've been solid. Some of the American spins aren't quite up to what our better breweries are doing, but to be at this stage in their infancy I think they're pretty polished. The traditional stuff has been terrific, though.

 

Chris, which Pott's beers did you try and what were your impressions?

Cheers!

 

I have the Pott's Landbier and I actually haven't opened it yet. It's probably on the docket for this weekend. So far we've been on a kick with the northern (Koelsch) beers after making the "altbier run" in Dusseldorf. Between the Reissdorf, Kuppers, and Fruh, we though the Reissdorf was sweetest, Fruh was cleanest, and the Kupper's was probably the overall best. In Dusseldorf we liked Fuchschen and Uerige the most, although the quality differences between the "best" and "worst" were very, very minimal.

 

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes peeled for that.

Just found out a local bar near me has Ayinger Maibock on tap. Hoping to get some before it's gone. My only question is if it's odd to see a Maibock on tap this time of year? I usually associate them with Spring. Not going to stop me from trying it, just curious.

 

Yeah, that beer is a seasonal (spring) so it is a bit old right now. Maybe it is still in OK shape?

Cheers!

 

I'd love to hear your impressions of Kneitinger if you are up to it!

 

Most definitely. I have their Dunkel and their Bock. I'll likely crack both of them in the next week.