"imperial" Oktoberfest

Un-Sessionable, bro!

 

Wait no more: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/262/169933/

 

I haven't had it, but how so?

Many Oktoberfest beers have different flavor profiles, but they're still the same style. Wouldn't an "Imperial Oktoberfest" simply be a higher gravity beer mainly comprised of some combination of Munich and Pils malt, and possibly Vienna? I would add Noble hops, but Sierra Nevada has played around with different hop profiles and still called their beers "Oktoberfest".

To me, Maibock/Doppelbock would have a similar profile to an "Imperial Oktoberfest".

Avery Kaiser:

Hop Variety: Bravo, Tettnang, Hersbrucker
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Vienna, Munich, Dark Munich, Aromatic
OG: 1.085
IBUs: 24
ABV: 9-10%


Doppelbock according to the BJCP:

Ingredients: Pils and/or Vienna malt for pale versions (with some Munich), Munich and Vienna malts for darker ones and occasionally a tiny bit of darker color malts (such as Carafa). Noble hops.

Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.072 – 1.112
FG: 1.016 - 1.024
IBUs: 16 – 26
ABV: 7 – 10%

 

Capital Autumnal fire is listed as a dopplebock; but it is essentially a high alcohol octoberfest (at around 8% I think). Also, Great Lakes is a great Octoberfest at 6.5%.

 

To me, the taste of Kaiser is totally different than a maibock/doppelbock.

Cheers!

 

I thought the term "Oktoberfest " had been trademarked.Does the US have an exemption for misusing names like this ?

 

Said trademark does not extend outside Germany. If that bugs you take it up first with countries closer to Germany such as Switzerland or Malta where the term is not considered to have exclusive use by virtue of court rulings.

From google search:

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/business/law_report/26920/what-s-in-a-name-20130520#.ViTix5T3arU

http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=1dd27aae-5755-4eb0-b7f0-7da8402f52f6

Once you have been successful there you might be able to convince German-Americans to give up that part of their cultural heritage and historical roots.

 

I was on the same boat until I got my hands on a four pack of this about a month ago..... so crisp and refreshing.... yet full of hoppy goodness.

 

AVERY KAISER IS GODDAMN DELICIOUS!

 

+1. I've always an Imperial Pilsner was a bit oxymoronic.

 

Imperial? I was always under the assumption that festbiers are intended to be sessionable...

 

There's no problem with respecting and maintaining your cultural heritage. It's when people feel free to pay lip service but trample on their traditions that it doesn't seem a good idea. By all means brew to any specification or recipe you like but if it doesn't fit the parameters of the style just call it something else. The originators said "this is how we want Oktoberfest to be" and that should be enough.

 

Respect for cultural traditions is an entirely different issue than trademarking and pointing fingers at others for presumed violations of trademarks. The issue you wish to raise is much better articulated here than in your first post. But is also an excellent topic for another time or over a beer someday in one possible future.

 

IMPERIALIZE EVERYTHING!

 

While I wholly agree with your premise on tradition and specification, even the originators have allowed the style to "evolve" over the years. For the better or worse, is the real debate.

 

Reporting back on the aged Kaiser. A bit thinner than fresh, with much of the booziness gone. Had a big malty sweet cherry note that came out that kind of reminded me of less carbonated dubbel. I preferred it over fresh.

 

The Kaiser I had several years back was a mess of fusels. Haven't had one since.