Favorite Oktoberfest beers

New Glarus Staghorn is probably the best American take on the style that I've had so far. This year's Sierra Nevada is also very good. Great Lakes seems to have an odd malt bill and is surprisingly boozy for 6.5% but still an interesting and worth tasting example. I have positive memories of Thomas Hooker's Octoberfest but I probably haven't had it for at least five years so I wouldn't take that to the bank. Surly, Olde Mecklenburg, Live Oak and Sly Fox I have yet to try but thus far out of the ten or twelve I have tried there seem to be more than a few decidedly not good America attempts.

 

The new Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest is very good stuff.

 

This escalated quickly. We went from 6 to 9, to now 14 in what will be our third sampling.

I know what I'm doing this weekend

 

Ex Novo's Fresh Hop Märzen's fresh from the crowler...tastes nicely bitter but pretty true to style. Pairing w/ German sausages & sauerkraut! Sehr gut!

 

I had the Ayinger October Fest-Marzen tonight an absolutely loved it. Readily available and the classic Octoberfest/marzen flavor, really easy drinking. I will be going back to the liquor store to stock up on this one as my go-to Octoberfest beer for this season

 

Great Lakes Oktoberfest and Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest are my top two for sure. Metropolitan's version (can't remember its name) and the Ayinger one are also at the top of my list.

 

SN, Hacker Pschorr & Paulaner Weisen.

 

I just had some ayinger ofest marzen too. It's rising to the top. It's right in line with the middle of the field stuff. It's mostly this sweet malt/yeast flavor over anything remotely too bready or biscuity. Of those 14, I have not had 4 of them this year. The others will be repeats. Preference lies in the SN collaboration version and 1-2 shades in either direction. But in the sportsmanship game of being fair, I will include all versions, for what will be 1-2 new samplers to our group.

I'm already saying ayinger, SN, Weihenstephaner, and possibly SF as my favorites. Paulaners two versions, odells, and spate haven't been tried this year. So a few curveballs

Obviously I don't have access to HP or GL. Those would likely be among our favorites I'm sure.

I don't think I've had an overly sweet German brewed oktoberfest, ever. Yet it seems like more than half of American versions have that cloying sweetness that lingers and makes for a tough 1L stein pour.

 

anyone had dead ringer by BP? any good?

 

Besides the much-cited german ones, and the excellent SN offering, Odell's Oktoberfest is very good too. Not one of the too-heavy crystal malt, sweet, higher ABV versions common among US brewers. We also have a fine local one here in Texas: http://www.karbachbrewing.com/beers/karbachtoberfest

I'm also looking out for Santa Fe's Oktoberfest, which I enjoyed last year too.

 

sam adams Oktoberfest. I like that

 

I really enjoy Paulaner and Hacker Pfschorr's Oktoberfests. Also just had New Glarus Staghorn and think it's perhaps the best American Oktoberfest I've had.

 

Have you tried the new Sierra Nevada? You might change your mind.

Having a Hacker-Pschorr myself right now.

 

I haven't! I may have to give this a try though.

 

Best $9 six pack so far this year, hands down.